Dissatisfaction with Environmental Education

While there are more sustainability education opportunities now than ever, a growing number of students are not getting what they want from their programs. As evidenced by growing levels of dissatisfaction, students are demanding more from their environmental schooling than institutions are offering.

According to a Net Impact survey students are displeased with their graduate programs in social and environmental issues. Over the last four years there was a 10 percent decline in the number of graduate students who said they were “completely” satisfied with their sustainability education (27 percent in 2010 to 16 percent in 2014). Those who were “not at all” satisfied increased from 1 or 2 percent the past four years, to 5 percent in 2014.


It would appear that schools are not keeping pace with the growing level of sophistication of today’s students.

Part of the reason why students are dissatisfied may have to do with the narrow focus of many schools. This forces companies to do a lot of internal training to get their employees up to speed.

Schools are innovating, this includes increasing cross-club, cross-school and cross-discipline approaches, infusion of design thinking to create social innovation and more experiential learning offerings. However, despite these efforts, they are not keeping pace with student expectations.

The Net Impact survey suggests graduate programs could do a better job with impact career and experiential learning support.

Make sure to see the article titled, “Comprehensive Green School Information and Resources.” It contains links to over 200 articles covering everything you need to know about sustainable academics, student’s eco-initiatives, green school buildings, and college rankings as well as a wide range of related information and resources.