Behavior, Education, and Communication

To respond to sustainability challenges, we must understand the causes, dynamics and consequences of human behaviors that affect the environment. 

Creating a future that is inclusive, supportive and sustainable takes visionary thinkers and advocates who are ready to develop solutions that go beyond the status quo. The Behavior, Education and Communication graduate program at the University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS) will provide you with the skills needed to pursue a career that will lower communication barriers and make a positive impact on the future of our planet. 

This involves:

• Working with people in their everyday lived experiences. 
• Discovering how to motivate and enable individuals, neighborhoods and groups to seek out more sustainable life patterns.
• Employing qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis methods.
• Using small experiments, community programming and social engagement strategies to influence human behavior and empower diverse communities to pursue long-term sustainability.

WHY BEHAVIOR, EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATION?

• Understand human behavior—both current and evolutionary—in the context of the environment.
• Learn to share information effectively, use instructional and motivational techniques to encourage desired behaviors, and negotiate conflicts.
• Learn how people think, what motivates them, and the conditions under which they behave most reasonably and creatively.
• Develop conceptual frameworks and employ strategies to address environmental problems by motivating individuals, groups, and communities to adopt impactful and durable behavior patterns.
• Focus your studies and deepen your knowledge in one or more SEAS sustainability themes and with a capstone experience (master's project or master's thesis).
• Work one-on-one with faculty advisors, practitioners and cohort members who are committed to uncovering effective, durable behavior change solutions.  

CURRICULUM

Behavior, Education and Communication coursework builds a sophisticated understanding of the causes, dynamics and consequences of decisions and actions that impact the environment. In this environmental master's program, you will study human behavior—both current and evolutionary—in the context of the environment. You will learn to share information effectively, use instructional and motivational techniques to encourage desired behaviors, and negotiate conflicts by engaging diverse stakeholders to address sustainability challenges collaboratively.