University of the Pacific is expanding its academic offerings with three new degrees aimed at addressing urgent global challenges and growing industries: sustainability, product design and entrepreneurship, and emergency management.

The Board of Regents approved the new programs today, which will launch fall 2025.

Bachelor of Science in Sustainability

As an interdisciplinary program, the Bachelor of Science in Sustainability will prepare the next generation of problem-solvers and changemakers to address environmental and social challenges and implement innovative solutions.

“Students who pursue careers in sustainability will face complex challenges when they graduate, including climate change, structural inequities and growing community health concerns,” said Professor of Geological Sciences Laura Rademacher. “As an interdisciplinary program, students will develop a holistic understanding of the issues they may encounter, and the skills needed to lead us toward positive changes.”

There is growing demand globally for sustainability graduates in a wide array of fields including regional planning, business operations specialists and conservation scientists.

Students will have unique opportunities for experiential learning as part of the program.

"Experiential learning is essential for our students because it helps them apply what they learn in the classroom,” said Professor of Bioengineering Shelly Gulati. “By working directly on real-world sustainability challenges, students not only deepen their understanding but also develop critical problem-solving skills that are crucial for their future careers."

Students will learn from faculty in College of the Pacific, the Eberhardt School of Business and the School of Engineering and Computer Science with the ability to customize curriculum to students’ areas of interest.

Bachelor of Science in Product Design and Entrepreneurship

There is an increasing demand for employees with skills in product development, product design and UX design.

Pacific’s new degree will prepare students to fill those roles with an emphasis on science and technology-based entrepreneurship.

“Pacific already offers exceptional design and entrepreneurship courses, but this will be the first degree that brings them all together into one cohesive program,” said Assistant Dean of Innovation and Professional Development Mehdi Khazaeli.

“This interdisciplinary approach leverages the strengths of different departments to help students develop critical thinking skills focused on innovative, user-centered designs that address real-world challenges.”

Two tracks are available: physical design and manufacturing and digital user experience and artificial intelligence.

The program will be offered on the Stockton Campus with students learning from faculty in the School of Engineering and Computer Science, the Eberhardt School of Business and College of the Pacific. 

Master of Emergency Management Science

Graduates of Pacific’s online emergency management program will be prepared to lead and manage emergency and disaster response efforts with a focus on health care.

There is a critical need for more people trained in emergency management as the number and intensity of natural disasters increase due to climate change. The COVID-19 pandemic also highlighted the need for emergency management systems.

“Public health emergencies, such as pandemics or bioterrorism, require a swift, highly coordinated health care response,” said Dean of the School of Health Sciences Nicoleta Bugnariu. “Our graduates will have a deep understanding of how agencies work together in a disaster to protect and improve public health outcomes.”

The job market is projected to grow nearly 7% annually from 2024-29. There are currently only 34 online master’s level emergency management programs nationwide.

Students in the program will be admitted from a wide variety of health and public service professions, allowing students to learn with and from each other.

California’s first and oldest university, Pacific offers more than 80 undergraduate and more than 50 graduate and professional programs.