Complex Adaptive Systems Science (Graduate Certificate)
Complexity, Computation, Data, Ecology, Environment, Future, Global, Modeling, Sustainability, math
Do you want to gain skills that serve as a bridge between disciplines? This will enable you to promote the collaborations needed for solving some of today's most pressing and complex global challenges.
Complex adaptive systems science is the study of interactive and dynamic systems that change over time, producing their own emergent properties. The complex adaptive systems science graduate certificate can be pursued along with any doctoral degree program at Arizona State University. Students in the certificate program pursue their chosen field of study while addressing intricate global challenges.
Complex adaptive system concepts and methods provide a common language that enables the interdisciplinary collaborations required for coming to grips with the intellectual and societal challenges of today's world. The program trains the next generation of scientists in advanced concepts and methods that are necessary for approaching diverse phenomena in the social and life sciences. The program is tightly integrated with diverse, ongoing university-wide research on complex adaptive system science at ASU and emphasizes the value of a complex adaptive systems perspective to give science better insight and a more active role in seeking solutions to a broad array of critical issues facing society today. Students become fluent in the common language of complexity while also receiving a solid foundation in the domain knowledge of existing academic disciplines.
- College/school:
College of Global Futures
- Location: Downtown Phoenix, Polytechnic, Tempe
- STEM-OPT extension eligible: No
15 credit hours
Required Core (3 credit hours)
CAS 570 Fundamentals of CAS Science (3)
Electives (12 credit hours)
approved course on methods for complex adaptive system science (3)
approved course on mathematics for complex adaptive system science (3)
approved course on applying complex adaptive systems science in the student's field of study (3)
research or dissertation applying complex adaptive system science approaches in the student's doctoral research electives (3)
Additional Curriculum Information
Students should contact the academic unit about appropriate coursework. Students pursuing the certificate must have a complex adaptive systems science faculty member on their supervisory committee. They must also take three research hours in their doctoral discipline with a complex adaptive systems science faculty member.
Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the College of Global Futures.
Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they are either enrolled in or accepted into an ASU doctoral degree program and they must be in good standing within the program.
Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.
All applicants must submit:
- graduate admission application and application fee
- official transcripts
- statement of intent
- letter of support from an ASU faculty member (for existing ASU students) or other faculty member (for incoming students)
- proof of English proficiency
Additional Application Information
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency.
International students who need an F-1 or J-1 visa first need to apply to and be accepted into a graduate degree program prior to being considered for the certificate program. International students residing in the U.S. on other types of visas must adhere to all Graduate College policies and procedures regarding admission to be considered for admission to this certificate program.
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | In Person | Rolling |
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | In Person | Rolling |
Studying abroad is encouraged for graduate students. Nearly all of the College of Global Futures faculty-directed programs offer graduate credit. In addition, the Global Education Office offers more than 50 program opportunities, with programs on every continent.
Faculty-directed programs tend to be the best fit for graduate students; taking courses with ASU professors over the summer or during academic breaks offers students close mentorship and professional network growth in many fields of study while they earn ASU credit. Exchange program participation is also possible with careful planning.
Students can find programs specific to their interests on the College of Global Futures study abroad webpage, and additional opportunities and information on the ASU Global Education Office website. These sites also include additional information about applying for funding to support global travel.
A complex systems approach to the program means graduates possess the ability to understand the interconnections within and between technological, economic, societal, biomedical and environmental systems and have developed advanced digital skills like modeling and network science. This gives them an edge in diverse careers in science, technology and data analytics, especially compared with peers in their field of study who lack such expertise.
Graduates who hold this certificate can apply the skills learned to any field or profession, although advanced degrees or certifications may be required. Career area examples include:
- business intelligence analytics
- consulting
- corporate social responsibility and sustainability
- data and microsystem engineering
- data science
- education
- military intelligence systems
- nongovernmental and nonprofit work
- policymaking in government and regulatory agencies
- research and development
School of Complex Adaptive Systems
|
ECA 100
CASSgrad@asu.edu
480-727-0478
Admission deadlines
3 year programs
These programs allow students to fast-track their studies after admission and earn a bachelor's degree in three years or fewer while participating in the same high-quality educational experience of a 4-year option. Students should talk to their academic advisor to get started.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Acceptance to the graduate program requires a separate application. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master’s during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
