Course overview

Introduction to the Blue Economy is a completely online, asynchronous, and self-paced course. You’ll enjoy the flexibility to learn on your own time, from anywhere in the world.

The blue economy describes a way of thinking about sustainably generating wealth from the ocean. Whether you are a policy maker, fisher, scientist, or technologist, this introductory course is designed to teach a shared understanding of what comprises the blue economy, and how we might manage it, measure its output, and finance it. This three- to five-hour self-paced course will expand your knowledge of the blue economy and lay a foundation for deeper learning in more specialized topics.

This noncredit course is taught by Dr. Charles Colgan, the Director of Research for the Center for the Blue Economy (CBE) and Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Ocean and Coastal Economics (JOCE).

• Type / Modality: Online
• Estimated completion time: 3-5 hours
• Number of modules: 4
• Language of instruction: English
• Activities and content: Video lessons, readings, short knowledge checks, case studies, and self-reflection activities.
• Technical Prerequisites: A networked computer or mobile device is required, as is the capability to stream multimedia audio and video.
• Completion Rewards: After you successfully complete this course, you’ll earn a certificate of completion and a badge to share on your social media profiles and with current and potential employers.

This course is for you if . . .

• You are a professional in any field with interest in or responsibility for ocean and coastal policy.
• You are interested in learning about current important ideas about the ocean.
• You want to learn the fundamentals of ocean accounting.
• You are looking for a basic understanding of financial resources for ocean environmental conservation and conservation.
• You want an overview of the blue economy before exploring more detailed subjects.