This is the most comprehensive list posted to date of universities and colleges in the US and Canada that have offered permaculture education.

A lot of research went into compiling this list, but the world of higher education is vast. There are almost certainly many schools that should be added to this list. It was most recently updated in March of 2018, but course offerings are ever changing so it’s best to check current school schedules for the most up to date information. This list is intended as a starting point to understanding permaculture’s reach in higher education; it is a resource for students looking for permaculture education opportunities and for teachers seeking models for structuring new programs. If you see something that needs updating, send me a note!

The table distinguishes between schools offering a full 72-hour permaculture design certificate (PDC) for academic credit; a community PDC offered on campus (without credit); and courses that include permaculture content only (such as “Intro to Permaculture”). Schools are organized by region (the order of US categories is Pacific Northwest/Alaska, California, Southwest, Midwest, Southeast, and Northeast). Some schools with more established PDCs have links to learn more. Enjoy!

School (By region)	Department/ Program	PDC for credit	Non-credit PDC	Course content	Online/ Distance	Currently offered
FULLY ONLINE
Gaia University	International Diploma of Permaculture Design	+			+	+
CANADA
Bishop’s University	Specialization in Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems	+				+
Camosun College	Environmental Technology			+
Centennial College	Global Citizenship & Equity			+
Langara College	Continuing Studies		+
Pacific Rim College	Permaculture Design and Resilient Ecosystems	+				+
University of Alberta	Extension; Communications & Technology	+
University of British Columbia	Land & Food Systems	+	+			+
University of Victoria	Environmental Studies	+				+
PACIFIC NORTHWEST / ALASKA
Alaska Pacific University			+
Antioch University Seattle	Leadership & Change	+
Bastyr University	Holistic Landscape Design	+				+
Evergreen State College	Bachelor of Arts & Sciences			+
Oregon State University	Horticulture; Continuing Studies	+	+		+	+
Pacific University	Art; Environmental Studies	+				+
Pacific Lutheran University				+
Portland Community College	Horticulture	+				+
Portland State University	Educational Leadership & Policy			+		+
South Seattle College	Landscape Horticulture			+
University of Oregon	Landscape Architecture	+
University of Washington	Anthropology			+
CALIFORNIA
California Institute of Integral Studies	Philosophy, Cosmology and Consciousness			+		+
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo			+
California State University Stanislaus	Permaculture Minor			+		+
Diablo Valley College	Horticulture			+
Merritt College	Landscape Horticulture		+			+
Santa Barbara City College	Environmental Horticulture	+				+
UC Berkeley	Extension			+
UC Santa Cruz	Kresge College	+				+
University of San Francisco	Architecture & Community Design			+
SOUTHWEST
Austin Community College	Continuing Education		+
CU Boulder	Environmental Studies	+				+
Naropa University	Environmental Studies	+				+
Prescott College	Environmental Studies	+				+
University of Northern Colorado	Environmental Studies			+
MIDWEST
Indiana University Bloomington	Collins Living-Learning Centre	+				+
Lorain Community College	Sustainable Agriculture	+				+
Maharishi University of Management	Sustainable Living	+				+
Oberlin College	Environmental Studies			+
Purdue University	Agronomy			+
University of Cincinnati	School of Planning – Horticulture Program	+				+
SOUTHEAST
Appalachian State University	Sustainable Development	+				+
Center College				+
McDaniel College	Environmental Studies			+
North Carolina State University	Horticulture Science	+	+		+
Rollins College				+
University of Richmond	Continuing Studies		+
Warren Wilson College	Environmental Studies			+
NORTHEAST
Antioch University New England	Continuing Education		+
Bristol Community College	Sustainable Agriculture			+		+
Colby-Sawyer College	Environmental Studies	+				+
Cornell University	Horticulture	+	+		+	+
Goddard College	Bachelor Degree	+			+	+
Green Mountain College	Environmental Studies; Sustainable Agriculture & Food Production			+
Greenfield Community College	Farm & Food Systems	+	+			+
Ithaca College	Environmental Studies			+
Montclair State University	Anthropology			+
Paul Smith’s College	Environmental Studies	+		+
Plymouth State University	Environmental Planning; Sustainability Minor	+				+
Sterling College	Applied Sciences	+
UMass Amherst	Sustainable Agriculture; Continuing Education	+			+	+
University of New Hampshire	Extension		+
University of Vermont	Environmental Studies	+				+