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Sustainability education is increasingly recognized as essential for preparing graduates to address global environmental, economic, and societal challenges. Yet limited research examines which program features most effectively foster lasting learning and professional readiness. This study explores the design and perceived impact of a university Sustainability Certificate Program (SCP) through alumni reflections, offering insights into program characteristics that support transformational learning. Using reflexive thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews from the 2018–2020 cohort, the study identifies four interrelated features that shaped outcomes: experiential learning opportunities that connected coursework with real-world application; inclusive and interdisciplinary pedagogical approaches; strong institutional and relational supports; and structured career preparation and professional development. Alumni described the SCP as a coherent, student-centered experience that cultivated sustainability competencies, personal growth, and long-term engagement with sustainability practices. Findings highlight how intentional integration of experiential strategies, competency-based design, and supportive learning environments can strengthen sustainability education. Implications include embedding applied learning across curricula, aligning pedagogy with competency frameworks, fostering inclusive learning communities that promote belonging, and linking academic experiences to career translation. While the study is limited by its small, self-selected sample and retrospective design, its insights are transferable to institutions seeking to design programs that bridge theory and practice and prepare graduates for sustainability-oriented careers. • Sustainability education benefits from interdisciplinary and competency-based frameworks • Experiential learning must be embedded across the curriculum, not isolated • Inclusive pedagogy, learning communities, and mentorship foster student belonging and engagement • Professional networking and real-world collaborative projects are critical for meaningful career preparation
de et al. (Sat,) studied this question.