Semester at Tahoe
Join us in the mountains where art, science, and the environment meet.
During a Semester at Tahoe, students can engage with an interdisciplinary curriculum and thoughtful place-bound experiences. Earn a certificate in sustainability, work toward a minor in Art, Land, and the Environment, or choose courses that fit your passion and interests.
Limited Lake Tahoe housing discounts available.
University of Nevada, Reno students spending a Semester at Tahoe may qualify for a limited number of housing discounts in the Prim-Schultz dorms. Students living on campus must purchase a meal plan for Patterson Dining Hall. Details can be found below in the FAQ or by filling out an interest form.
Who should apply?
Undergraduate students interested in spending a semester at Lake Tahoe are invited to apply. Certificate courses meet several core and elective requirements for University of Nevada, Reno students – you can continue progress toward your degree while earning a highly marketable certificate.
Students interested in enrolling in the Sustainability Certificate program for are encouraged to fill out an interest form.
Program structure
Students will take three required courses in interdisciplinary sustainability theory.
A required colloquium course invites leaders in the sustainability movement to speak to students throughout the semester. Part of the three-credit colloquium course includes experiential and project-based learning related to the seminars.
Electives in sustainable topics and/or other available units toward their degree will fill the remainder of the student's schedule.
Live at Lake Tahoe
Each semester's cohort of students will *live in the dorms on the Wayne L. Prim Campus, less than a mile from the shores of Lake Tahoe. Build lifelong connections with your classmates – all committed to building a sustainable future – while exploring one of the most stunning natural settings in the world.
Events and activities throughout the semester encourage a deep sense of community while inspiring environmental stewardship of the Lake Tahoe Basin and all our planet's most precious natural resources.
*Students who enroll can receive a full discount on housing. Fill out an interest form to learn more.
Welcome, NSE students
We welcome National Student Exchange (NSE) students to the Tahoe campus for a Semester at Tahoe! Learn more on the NSE website or contact Henry Conover at hconover@unr.edu.
Sustainability is rooted in meeting the needs of today without compromising the needs of the future, and in a more contemporary context, goes beyond efforts to reduce human-induced impacts by actively promoting restoration, revitalization and regeneration across ecological, social, cultural, economic and political systems.
Brennan Lagasse
Assistant Professor and professional backcountry ski guide
An experience of a lifetime
Lake Tahoe and the surrounding Sierra Nevada mountain range provide unending opportunities to explore the natural environment, inspiring your studies in sustainability and environmental stewardship. Experience it all, from world-class skiing and snowboarding to miles of hiking and biking trails, destination-worthy rock climbing, scenic camping, awe-inspiring beaches and a thriving local community full of dining, shopping and activities.
The exciting part about studying at Lake Tahoe is that we have a living laboratory. To live and experience a place while understanding the basics of science through the classroom can be a remarkable experience.
Sudeep Chandra
Professor and Director of the Global Water Center, Director of the Ozmen Institute for Global Studies and member of the Tahoe Science Advisory Council
Courses
Climate Change and Societal Impacts
Coursework is modeled after the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Colloquium in Sustainability
SUST 490
The colloquium brings leaders in the fields of climate change, climate justice, sustainability practice, science, technology and art to the Wayne L. Prim Campus to share their knowledge with our students. The intimate meeting-style setting makes this a unique experience for students to network with leaders in the field.
Sustainability I: Introduction to Sociology of Climate Change
SOC 235 (CO6, CO9)
Explore the complex social causes of climate change, the impact of climate change on society, and how society has and can respond to mitigate climate change.
Sustainability II: Sustainable Climate Solutions: Local to Global Perspectives
GEOG 422 (CO9, CO13)
In a broad geographic overview of climate change, this course emphasizes the challenge of identifying and implementing appropriate societal responses. Includes surveys of mitigation, adaptation and Earth system engineering responses.
Sustainability III: Literature of Environmental Justice
ENG 342 (CO12, CO13)
In this course, students will survey important environmental authors such as Aldo Leopold, Rachel Carson and Octavia Butler and explore how such literature changes consciousness and influences policy.
Sustainability certificate courses:
- ENG 342 Literature in Environmental Justice (CO12/CO13)
- GEOG 422 Sustainable Climate Solutions (CO9/CO13)
- SOC 235 Introduction to Sociology of Climate Change (CO6/CO9)
- GEOG 490 Colloquium
Other offerings:
- ART 141 Introduction to Digital Photography (CO7)
- ART 211 Beginning Ceramics (CO7)
- ART 301 Interdisciplinary Drawing
- ART 312 Intermediate Ceramics
- ART 345 Sound and Image
- ART 404 Art in Public Places
- ART 411 Advanced Ceramics (CO14)
- ENT 200 Fundamentals of Entrepreneurship
- ENT 401 New Venture Creation
- ENT 451 Entrepreneurship Jumpstart
- BIOL 430 Field Ornithology
- BIOL 433 Ornithology
- BIOL 191A Introduction to Organismal Biology (CO4)
- NRES 217 Natural Resources Ecology
- NRES 295 Wildlands Hydrology
- GEOL 100 Earthquakes, Volcanoes, and Natural Disasters (CO4L)
- GEOG 440 Mountain Geography (CO9)
- GEOG 305 Community Environmental Problems
- SOC 350 Social Change (CO10/CO11)
- JOUR 103 Introduction to Media and Society (CO6)
- JOUR 400 Introduction to Drone Filming
Selected online courses from Reno campus:
- CH 201, CH 202, CH 203 (Core Humanities)
- ENG 102 Composition II (CO1, CO3)
- JOUR 108 Media Design
- JOUR 300 Visual Communication
- STAT 152 Introduction to Statistics
- MATH 126, 127, 176 (PreCalc I, II, Calc for Business)
- MUSIC 121 Music Appreciation (CO7)
Students should check Class Search for the full schedule and meet with Lake Tahoe Coordinator of Academic Success Henry Conover for advising.
Sustainability Certificate Courses:
- ENG 342 Literature in Environmental Justice (CO12/CO13)
- GEOG 422 Sustainable Climate Solutions (CO9/CO13)
- SOC 235 Introduction to Sociology of Climate Change (CO6/CO9)
- SUST 490 Colloquium in Sustainability
Other Offerings:
- ART 141 Introduction to Digital Photography (CO7)
- ART 211 Beginning Ceramics (CO7)
- ART 301 Interdisciplinary Drawing
- ART 312 Intermediate Ceramics
- ART 345 Sound and Image
- ART 404 Art in Public Places
- ENV 101 Introduction to Environmental Science
- JOUR 103 Introduction to Media and Society (CO6)
- JOUR 400 Introduction to Drone Filming
- BIOL 191A Introduction to Organismal Biology (CO4)
- NRES 217 Natural Resources Ecology
- NRES 295 Wildlands Hydrology
- GEOL 100 Earthquakes, Volcanoes, and Natural Disasters (CO4L)
- GEOG 305 Community Environmental Problems
- SOC 350 Social Change (CO10/CO11)
Selected Online Courses from Reno Campus:
- CH 201, CH 202, CH 203 (Core Humanities)
- ENG 102 Composition II (CO1, CO3)
- JOUR 108 Media Design
- JOUR 300 Visual Communication
- STAT 152 Introduction to Statistics
- MATH 126, 127, 176 (PreCalc I, II, Calc for Business)
- MUSIC 121 Music Appreciation (CO7)
Students should check Class Search for the full schedule and meet with Lake Tahoe Coordinator of Academic Success Henry Conover for advising.
An education that goes beyond the classroom
Put what you're learning in the classroom to practice. Outdoor Education courses (PEX), internships on and off campus as well as scheduled opportunities to volunteer for local environmental organizations are offered throughout the semester.
Enrollment process
Enrollment is on a first-come, first-served basis. Interested students should begin the process early as space in the program each semester is limited.
1. Plan
Fill out the Sustainability Certificate interest form. This will get you connected with our Lake Tahoe advisor who can look at your schedule, answer your questions, and help you fit the semester-long experience into your program of study.
2. Enroll
Once you decide to spend a semester at Lake Tahoe, our Lake Tahoe advisor will enroll you in the 12-credit certificate program (with courses that meet several core requirements!) and help you pick one or two electives to fill out your schedule. The credits are offered at the same price as your classes in Reno!
3. Live!
Once you are officially enrolled in the program, you will be prompted to secure your Lake Tahoe dorm room. You can select a roommate or be placed with another participating student. Housing assignments will be generated the month prior to the start of classes, and you will move in the Friday before.
Get to know campus – spend a weekend with us!
Faculty, staff and students are invited to join us on campus for several organized overnight excursions and weekend getaways.
Frequently asked questions
Browse frequently asked questions, housing and dining details, and other information about the Sustainability Certificate program at Lake Tahoe.
The program is open to current undergraduate students at the University of Nevada, Reno. Students should have at least 12 credits completed. The program is built to enhance any major and all students are invited to enroll. The program of study pairs especially well with liberal arts, social sciences, journalism, geography and environmental sciences majors though all students can incorporate the program into their schedule with proper planning.
If interested, the best thing to do is reach out to our Lake Tahoe advisor early to determine when and how to best fit the program into your course of study.
Not a current student?
The program may be opened to non-students, recent graduates or students from other institutions. Students and community members interested in the Sustainability Certificate program are invited to fill out the interest form, noting that they are interested in participating as a non-student. Our Lake Tahoe advisor will reach out to share the process for enrolling in the program.
A full housing discount is available. This discount will cover the cost of occupancy in a double room in Prim-Shultz Hall. Discounts are provided on a first-come first-served basis. Students are encouraged to fill out an interest form to be connected with our Lake Tahoe advisor now to secure their spot.
Students participating in the Sustainability Certificate program are required to stay in the Lake Tahoe dorms and purchase a meal plan with the Patterson Hall dining room.
The total cost of the program would be your course credit/enrollment fees (which will be the same whether you take classes in Reno or at Lake Tahoe) plus the housing and dining fees outlined below.
The Lake Tahoe dorms are comparable and in many cases cheaper than housing in Reno. For example, the 2024-2025 rates for a double room with a shared bathroom in Argenta, Nevada LLC, Peavine or Great Basin would cost $4,350 for a semester – living in Reno would cost about $650 more than a comparable dorm at Lake Tahoe.
University of Nevada, Reno at Lake Tahoe rates
| Hall | Occupancy | Fall 2024 | Spring 2025 | FY25 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Campbell-Friedman, Prim-Schultz (double) | Double | $3,700 | $3,700 | $7,400 |
| Campbell-Friedman, Prim-Schultz (single) | Single | $5,300 | $5,300 | $10,600 |
Students are also required to purchase a meal plan for the Patterson Hall dining room. This cost is comparable to a meal plan in Reno.
University of Nevada, Reno at Lake Tahoe meal plan rates
| Meal plan | Description | Weekly meals | Annual FoodBucks* | Academic semester rate | FY25 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake | 19 swipes per week | 19 | $0 | $3,754.50 | $7,509 |
| Mountain (off-campus only) | 14 swipes per week This plan is only for students taking classes at Lake Tahoe who live off-campus. |
14 | $0 | $2,740.50 | $5,481 |
*Lake Tahoe meal plans do not include a FoodBucks option
Students must take all of their courses at the University of Nevada, Reno at Lake Tahoe, including their chosen elective(s). Students may opt to take an online course as their elective to apply to their program of study. Many electives across disciplines are offered at Lake Tahoe in addition to the four required courses for the Sustainability Certificate.
Meeting with our Lake Tahoe advisor will help you to determine a class schedule that best fits your major.
Upon completion of the program, you will have earned your Certificate in Sustainability from the University of Nevada, Reno – a Tier 1, Carnegie classified institution. This formal professional certification can be included on your resume along with your degree. it would also be helpful if you are interested in any competitive internships or jobs while in college.
Sustainability as a profession (or a large part of a profession) is a relatively new field and competition for these highly sought-after positions is fierce. Having your Sustainability Certificate will give you the edge needed in a competitive job market. Below are a few examples of majors, that when paired with the Sustainability Certificate, would make you a stand-out applicant for specific jobs upon graduating.
- Journalism + Sustainability Certificate: science/environment writer or reporter, marketing/communication professional for an environmental organization, environmental filmmaker, environmental nonprofit communications officer
- Political Science + Sustainability Certificate: environmental policy analyst, environmental law student and lawyer, sustainably-minded politician, sustainability programs manager, executive director of an environmental policy agency
- Geography + Sustainability Certificate: city manager/planner, environmental restoration planner, social and environmental policy analyst
- Environmental Sciences + Sustainability Certificate: Chief scientist for an environmental nonprofit, executive director of an environmental agency, environment journal editor, etc.
- English/Literature + Sustainability Certificate: science writer, grant writer, science or environment journal editor, science writing program director, marketing and communications for environmental nonprofits or agencies
- History + Sustainability Certificate: pre-law/environmental justice lawyer, professor of environmental history, environmental lobbyist, environmental consultant for a large organization/corporation
- Psychology/Social Sciences + Sustainability Certificate: climate change public speaker/ambassador, climate resilience specialist, disaster response specialist, executive director of an environmental policy agency
- Medical Fields/Public Health + Sustainability Certificate: environmental health and safety specialist, environmental health professionbal, public education outreach specialist, epidemiologist
- Art + Sustainability Certificate: creative director at an environmental agency, environmental communications specialist, climate advocate, sustainable brand designer, freelance climate artist, environmental agency outreach coordinator, science and environment musuem curator, land artist
- Engineering + Sustainability Certificate: Environmental engineer, sustainable products developer, sustainable transportation engineer, LEED Certification Specialist, sustainability director, environmental restoration planner, sustainable engineering cosultant, sustainable development director
While we recommend the Sustainability Certificate to students who want to live and study at Lake Tahoe, students may choose to live at Lake Tahoe and take courses that do not meet the Sustainability Certificate requirements. We have a full list of electives and core courses available across disciplines including art, marketing, business, the sciences and more.
To view the current schedule of classes in Class Search, select the term you are interested in and select Lake Tahoe in the location drop down.
We recommend you meet with our Lake tahoe advisor and/or your major advisor as soon as possible if you have any interest in living at Lake Tahoe for a semester and taking classes. By talking to your advisor early, you will be able to better plan for the semester with minimal or no impact in your progress toward your degree.
Talking to an advisor early will make planning for the semester much easier. You can plan in a way that save the the offered Core Curriculum Requirements for the semester you spend at Lake Tahoe.
How the program will change each semester
Each semester we adjust the required courses in the Sustainability Certificate to align with one of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. That means the focus will change slightly each semester, but the structure and interdisciplinary nature will remain the same. Required courses will always meet core requirements to make the experience align with students' academic careers.
Request more information
Fill out our interest form and one of our advisors will reach out to you to discuss the program and your participation in more detail.