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You are here: Home / Types of Sustainability Degrees / Sustainable Business Degrees

Sustainable Business Degrees

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Arizona State University
Online Bachelors: BA/BS in Sustainability and BA in Business - Sustainability; Online Masters: MSL in Sustainability Leadership and MSE in Sustainability Engineering
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Southern New Hampshire University
Online BS in Environmental Science - Natural Resources & Conservation
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George Washington University
Online Master of Public Health - Environmental and Occupational Health Focus
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Northeastern University
Online MBA Sustainability Concentration
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Johns Hopkins University
Online Master of Science in Environmental Science and Policy
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Johns Hopkins University
Online Master of Science in Energy Policy and Climate
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Saint Mary's University of Minnesota
Online Accelerated MBA: Sustainability and Environmental Management Emphasis
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In the business world, sustainability is known as the “triple bottom line” of people, profit and planet. Related terminology includes “corporate social responsibility” (CSR) and “social innovation,” which involve using business as a way to advance social and environmental change. Economic sustainability is vital as well: corporations, institutions of higher education, nonprofits and local and state governments must ensure their long-term financial health and integrity while simultaneously fostering environmental and social well-being. Many corporations are leading the sustainability movement, taking initiative to lower the environmental footprints of their operations, and providing greener and more socially responsible goods and services.

Sustainable business degrees integrate the worlds of business and economics with the environmental, social and cultural aspects of sustainability. Degrees for those interested in this field can be found in sustainability or business with a concentration that integrates these two areas of study (such as a business degree with a concentration in green business); joint business and environmental or sustainability degrees are also offered.

Popular Sustainable Business Degree Programs

Popular sustainable business degree programs include:

  • Bachelor of Science in environmental management
  • Bachelor of Science in sustainable business
  • Master of Business Administration with a concentration in sustainability or a related concentration (also known as a “Green MBA”)
  • Graduate Certificate in sustainable business or corporate responsibility

Sustainable Business Prerequisites and Curriculum

Prerequisites

Prerequisites for sustainable business undergraduate degrees typically include a high school diploma or GED, as well as successful completion of high school courses in accounting and communications, as well as in basic sciences (like Earth science), mathematics and English. Most graduate degrees in sustainable business require an undergraduate degree in a related discipline, such as a bachelor’s degree in business administration, finance, economics, environmental studies or environmental sciences.

Undergraduate Sustainable Business Curriculum

Students in undergraduate sustainable business degree programs can expect to take courses in:

  • Introductory environmental sciences (such as environmental biology, environmental chemistry and environmental studies).
  • Sustainability-related social sciences (such as ethics and ecology of commerce, environmental regulation and environmental policy and economics).
  • Mathematics (such as accounting and statistics).
  • Business courses (such as financial management, accounting, marketing, microeconomics and communications).
  • Interdisciplinary business and sustainability courses (such as sustainable energy systems, sustainability reporting and metrics, international perspectives in sustainable business, building social capital, sustainable business management and industrial ecology).

In addition, students may take courses in areas such as sustainable agriculture and hospitality management, engineering, sociology and more. Many undergraduate programs require a final capstone experience, honors thesis or other culminating experience in which students apply what they’ve learned in the classroom to real-world environmental issues. Internships in sustainable business are also common and are good resume builders. Two examples of undergraduate sustainable business degree programs are Aquinas College‘s Bachelor of Science in sustainable business and St. Petersburg College‘s Bachelor of Applied Science in sustainability management.

Graduate Sustainable Business Curriculum

Common types of graduate programs in sustainable business include Master of Business Administration (MBA) programs with a “green” focus and certificates in sustainable business or corporate responsibility. Few doctorate programs combine business and sustainability; students who want to pursue a doctoral option can apply to a program in a related field such as economics or management. More and more MBA programs are catering to full-time working professionals, and many of these programs are flexible, are offered online or via evening classes and can be completed in one to two years.

Students in an MBA in sustainable business program can expect to take courses in:

  • Business (such as managerial economics, organizational theory and behavior, leadership, marketing and management).
  • Sustainability (such as natural and human communities, international perspectives in sustainable business, sustainable economics and management, building social capital and industrial ecology).
  • Applied research.

Students can also expect to complete internships, hands-on faculty-advised projects and/or electronic portfolios that serve as a capstones to their coursework. Good examples of sustainable MBA programs include those at Humboldt University and Aquinas College.

Careers for Sustainable Business Graduates

Graduates with a degree in sustainable business may work for companies, governmental agencies or institutions of higher education. Positions in sustainability management or analysis often provide points of entry for recent graduates; people in these positions may develop sustainability goals and plans for their employers, then work to implement and evaluate the success of those plans. Sustainability managers might also oversee and work on specific sustainability projects like greenhouse gas emissions inventories, supply chain analysis and “greening,” state and federal environmental regulation compliance and sustainable investing or finance.

General and operations managers across all industries earn an average annual salary of $116,090, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics in May 2013, and the job outlook for sustainability managers continues to be good. A 2011 Green Biz survey found that 86 percent of large companies had at least one full-time employee who spends all of their time working on sustainability, compared to 81 percent in 2010. In addition, 38 percent of the companies surveyed employed a sustainability executive at the vice president level, and another 34 percent employed one at the director level.

Sustainability career paths in more economically focused fields include sustainable investing, environmental economics, environmental accounting and energy efficiencient financing. Such professionals may work in positions that deal with sustainability theory and ideas (such as researchers, professors and government officials), or work in applied positions (including investment advisers, financial specialists, risk mangers and carbon accountants). Bentley University, a business-focused institution, provides a great list of sustainable business careers, from socially responsible investment to community and economic development finance. While the Bureau of Labor Statistics does not collect data on sustainable finance professionals, the financial analysis field as a whole is expected to grow by 16 percent between 2012 and 2022, and financial analysts earn an average annual salary of $76,950.

Matching School and Degree Listings

Information

All ratings are derived from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS). This program is widely used and accepted as the industry standard for colleges and universities to measure sustainability performance on campus, in curriculum, and in institutional policies. To learn more about the sustainability ratings and programs for individual institutions, we encourage you to view STARS Participants and Reports.

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Alliant International University

San Diego, California

Programs Available:

Certificate in Cooperative Management
Certificate in Sustainable Energy Management
Certificate in Sustainable Energy Solutions
Certificate in Sustainable Management
Certificate in Sustainable Management - Applied Sustainable Leadership
Certificate in Sustainable Management - Applied Sustainable Marketing and Product Development
Certificate in Sustainable Management - Applied Sustainable Operations
Certificate in Sustainable Management - Applied Sustainable Strategy
Certificate in Sustainable Management - Sustainable Finance and Capital Management
Master of Business Administration
Master of Business Administration in Sustainable Management
Master of Business Administration in Sustainable Management
Master of Business Administration in Sustainable Management
Master of Business Administration in Sustainable Management
Master of Business Administration/Master of Public Administration in Sustainable Management
Master of Business Administration/Master of Public Administration in Sustainable Management
Master of Public Administration in Sustainable Management
Master of Public Administration in Sustainable Management

American University

Washington, District of Columbia

Sustainability rating:Gold
Campus sustainability rating:

Additional Information:

Sustainable curriculum rating: 86%
Social sustainability rating: 87%
Has sustainability immersive experience? Yes
Has affordability and access programs? Yes

Programs Available:

Masters in Sustainability Management (MSSM)

Antioch University-New England

Keene, New Hampshire

Programs Available:

Master of Business Administration in Sustainability

Appalachian State University

Boone, North Carolina

Sustainability rating:Gold
Campus sustainability rating:

Additional Information:

Sustainable curriculum rating: 84%
Social sustainability rating: 75%
Has sustainability immersive experience? Yes
Has affordability and access programs? Yes

Programs Available:

Bachelor of Arts in Sustainable Development
Bachelor of Arts in Sustainable Development - Agroecology and Sustainable Agriculture Concentration
Undergraduate Minor in Sustainable Development

Aquinas College

Grand Rapids, Michigan

Programs Available:

Masters in Management, Sustainable Business concentration

Arizona State University

Tempe, Arizona

Sustainability rating:Gold
Campus sustainability rating:

Additional Information:

Sustainable curriculum rating: N/P
Social sustainability rating: N/P
Has sustainability immersive experience? No
Has affordability and access programs? No

Programs Available:

Bachelor of Arts in Business - Sustainability focus
Executive Master of Sustainability Leadership
Master of Sustainability Solutions

Bard College

Annandale-On-Hudson, New York

Sustainability rating:Gold
Campus sustainability rating:

Additional Information:

Sustainable curriculum rating: N/P
Social sustainability rating: N/P
Has sustainability immersive experience? No
Has affordability and access programs? No

Programs Available:

Master of Business Administration in Sustainability

Brandeis University

Waltham, Massachusetts

Sustainability rating:Silver
Campus sustainability rating:

Additional Information:

Sustainable curriculum rating: 51%
Social sustainability rating: 50%
Has sustainability immersive experience? Yes
Has affordability and access programs? Yes

Programs Available:

Master of Business Administration in Sustainability Development

Cascadia Community College

Bothell, Washington

Programs Available:

Associate of Applied Science in Environmental Technologies and Sustainable Practices - Business Emphasis

Chatham University

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Sustainability rating:Gold
Campus sustainability rating:

Additional Information:

Sustainable curriculum rating: 70%
Social sustainability rating: 67%
Has sustainability immersive experience? Yes
Has affordability and access programs? Yes

Programs Available:

Master of Arts in Food Studies - Master of Business Administration Dual Degree
Master of Sustainability
Master of Sustainability - Master of Business Administration Dual Degree Program

City College of San Francisco

San Francisco, California

Programs Available:

Master of Business Administration in Sustainability

City University of Seattle

Seattle, Washington

Programs Available:

Graduate Certificate in Sustainable Business
Master of Business Administrationin Sustainable Business

Clark University

Worcester, Massachusetts

Programs Available:

Master of Science/Master of Business Administration in Environmental Science and Policy

Colorado State University-Fort Collins

Fort Collins, Colorado

Programs Available:

Master of Business Administration in Global Social and Sustainable Enterprise
Master of Greenhouse Gas Management and Accounting

DeVry University

New York, New York

Programs Available:

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration - Sustainability Management
Bachelor of Science in Management(Business Management) - Sustainability Management

Duke University

Durham, North Carolina

Sustainability rating:Gold
Campus sustainability rating:

Additional Information:

Sustainable curriculum rating: 72%
Social sustainability rating: 80%
Has sustainability immersive experience? Yes
Has affordability and access programs? Yes

Programs Available:

Master of Business Administration in Energy and Environment
Master of Environment Al Managment/Master of Business Administration

Franklin Pierce University

Rindge, New Hampshire

Programs Available:

Master of Business Administration in Energy & Sustainability Studies

Great Falls College Montana State University

Great Falls, Montana

Programs Available:

Graduate Specialization in Business Concepts For Environmental Sustainability and Conservation

Humboldt State University

Arcata, California

Sustainability rating:Silver
Campus sustainability rating:

Additional Information:

Sustainable curriculum rating: 45%
Social sustainability rating: 65%
Has sustainability immersive experience? No
Has affordability and access programs? Yes

Programs Available:

Master of Business Administration in Sustainability

Lipscomb University

Nashville, Tennessee

Programs Available:

Master of Science in Sustainability/ MBA Dual Degree

Loyola University Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

Sustainability rating:Gold
Campus sustainability rating:

Additional Information:

Sustainable curriculum rating: N/P
Social sustainability rating: N/P
Has sustainability immersive experience? No
Has affordability and access programs? No

Programs Available:

Bachelor of Art/Master of Business Administration in Environmental Science

Maharishi University of Management

Fairfield, Iowa

Sustainability rating:Silver
Campus sustainability rating:

Additional Information:

Sustainable curriculum rating: 71%
Social sustainability rating: 32%
Has sustainability immersive experience? Yes
Has affordability and access programs? Yes

Programs Available:

Doctor of Philosophy in Sustainable Management
Master of Business Administration in Sustainable Business Specialization

Marlboro College

Brattleboro, Vermont

Programs Available:

Master of Business Administration in Managing For Sustainability

Michigan State University

East Lansing, Michigan

Programs Available:

BS in Sustainable Parks, Recreation & Tourism (SPRT)
MS in Sustainable Tourism and Protected Area Management (STPAM)
PhD in Sustainable Tourism and Protected Area Management (STPAM)

Monterey Institute of International Studies

Monterey, California

Programs Available:

Master of Business Administration / Master of Art in International Environmental Policy

New Mexico State University-Main Campus

Las Cruces, New Mexico

Sustainability rating:Gold
Campus sustainability rating:

Additional Information:

Sustainable curriculum rating: 73%
Social sustainability rating: 68%
Has sustainability immersive experience? Yes
Has affordability and access programs? Yes

Programs Available:

Graduate Certificate in Sustainability
Graduate Minor in Sustainability
Undergraduate Minor in Sustainability

North Central Missouri College

Trenton, Missouri

Programs Available:

Major in Business and Environmental Economics

Presidio Graduate School

Bainbridge Island, Washington

Programs Available:

Master of Business Administration in Sustainable Business
Master of Business Administration in Sustainable Systems

Saint Louis University-Main Campus

Saint Louis, Missouri

Sustainability rating:Bronze
Campus sustainability rating:

Additional Information:

Sustainable curriculum rating: 35%
Social sustainability rating: 41%
Has sustainability immersive experience? Yes
Has affordability and access programs? Yes

Programs Available:

Master of Art/Master of Business Administration in Sustainability

San Francisco State University

San Francisco, California

Programs Available:

Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Sustainable Business

Stanford University

Stanford, California

Sustainability rating:Gold
Campus sustainability rating:

Additional Information:

Sustainable curriculum rating: N/P
Social sustainability rating: N/P
Has sustainability immersive experience? No
Has affordability and access programs? No

Programs Available:

Master of Science in Environmental and Resources/Master of Business Administration

Stony Brook University

Stony Brook, New York

Programs Available:

Bachelor of Art/Master of Business Administration in Environmental Studies
Bachelor of Art/Master of Business Administration in Sustainability Studies
Bachelor of Science in Business Management - Sustainable Business (Major and Minor)

SUNY Empire State College

Saratoga Springs, New York

Programs Available:

Certificate in Business and Environmental Sustainability

Texas A & M University-College Station

College Station, Texas

Sustainability rating:Silver
Campus sustainability rating:

Additional Information:

Sustainable curriculum rating: 43%
Social sustainability rating: 56%
Has sustainability immersive experience? Yes
Has affordability and access programs? Yes

Programs Available:

Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness
Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Economics
Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Leadership and Development
Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Systems Management
Master of Agribusiness
Master of Science in Agribusiness & Managerial Economics
Master of Science in Agricultural Economics
Master of Science in Agricultural Leadership, Education & Communication
Master of Science in Agricultural Systems Management
Master of Science in Ecosystem Science and Management

The University of Tennessee

Knoxville, Tennessee

Sustainability rating:Silver
Campus sustainability rating:

Additional Information:

Sustainable curriculum rating: 56%
Social sustainability rating: 55%
Has sustainability immersive experience? Yes
Has affordability and access programs? Yes

Programs Available:

Master of Science/Master of Business Administration in Civil and Environmental Engineering

Unity College

Unity, Maine

Sustainability rating:Silver
Campus sustainability rating:

Additional Information:

Sustainable curriculum rating: 77%
Social sustainability rating: 69%
Has sustainability immersive experience? Yes
Has affordability and access programs? Yes

Programs Available:

Online Sustainable Master of Business Administration

University of California-Berkeley

Berkeley, California

Programs Available:

Certificate in Engineering and Business For Sustainability

University of California-San Diego

La Jolla, California

Sustainability rating:Gold
Campus sustainability rating:

Additional Information:

Sustainable curriculum rating: 62%
Social sustainability rating: 81%
Has sustainability immersive experience? Yes
Has affordability and access programs? Yes

Programs Available:

Certificate in Sustainable Business Practices

University of Colorado Denver

Denver, Colorado

Sustainability rating:Silver
Campus sustainability rating:

Additional Information:

Sustainable curriculum rating: 35%
Social sustainability rating: 60%
Has sustainability immersive experience? Yes
Has affordability and access programs? No

Programs Available:

Master of Science in Management and Organization - Managing For Sustainability

University of Denver

Denver, Colorado

Sustainability rating:Gold
Campus sustainability rating:

Additional Information:

Sustainable curriculum rating: 73%
Social sustainability rating: 70%
Has sustainability immersive experience? Yes
Has affordability and access programs? Yes

Programs Available:

Certificate in Environmental Policy and Management - Environmental Analytics and Reporting
Certificate in Environmental Policy and Management - Environmental Management
Certificate in Environmental Policy and Management - Natural Resource Management
Master's in Environmental Policy and Management - Environmental Analytics and Reporting
Master's in Environmental Policy and Management - Environmental Management
Master's in Environmental Policy and Management - Natural Resource Management

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Champaign, Illinois

Programs Available:

Master of Science in Agricultural Production
Master of Science in Bioenergy
Master of Science in Food Science and Human Nutrition
Master of Science in Plant Biotechnology
Masters of Science in Technical Systems Management

University of Michigan-Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Sustainability rating:Silver
Campus sustainability rating:

Additional Information:

Sustainable curriculum rating: 72%
Social sustainability rating: 63%
Has sustainability immersive experience? Yes
Has affordability and access programs? Yes

Programs Available:

The Erb Institute's Master of Business Administration / Master of Science Dual-Degree Program

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Sustainability rating:Gold
Campus sustainability rating:

Additional Information:

Sustainable curriculum rating: N/P
Social sustainability rating: N/P
Has sustainability immersive experience? No
Has affordability and access programs? No

Programs Available:

Master of Business Administration in Sustainable Enterprise
Online MBA - Sustainable Enterprise

University of Oregon

Eugene, Oregon

Sustainability rating:Reporter
Campus sustainability rating:

Additional Information:

Sustainable curriculum rating: N/P
Social sustainability rating: N/P
Has sustainability immersive experience? No
Has affordability and access programs? No

Programs Available:

Master of Business Administration - Sustainable Business Practices

University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Sustainability rating:Silver
Campus sustainability rating:

Additional Information:

Sustainable curriculum rating: 47%
Social sustainability rating: 71%
Has sustainability immersive experience? Yes
Has affordability and access programs? Yes

Programs Available:

Masters of Environmental Studies/Master of Business Administration

University of Wisconsin Extension

Madison, Wisconsin

Programs Available:

Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Management
Certificate in Sustainable Management

University of Wisconsin-River Falls

River Falls, Wisconsin

Sustainability rating:Silver
Campus sustainability rating:

Additional Information:

Sustainable curriculum rating: N/P
Social sustainability rating: N/P
Has sustainability immersive experience? No
Has affordability and access programs? No

Programs Available:

Certificates in Sustainable Management Science

University of Wisconsin-Stout

Menomonie, Wisconsin

Sustainability rating:Silver
Campus sustainability rating:

Additional Information:

Sustainable curriculum rating: 58%
Social sustainability rating: 55%
Has sustainability immersive experience? Yes
Has affordability and access programs? Yes

Programs Available:

Master of Science in Sustainable Management

University of Wisconsin-Superior

Superior, Wisconsin

Programs Available:

Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Management
Certificate of Sustainable Management in Sustainable Enterprise Management
Certificate of Sustainable Management in Sustainable Management Science

Weber State University

Ogden, Utah

Sustainability rating:Bronze
Campus sustainability rating:

Additional Information:

Sustainable curriculum rating: 31%
Social sustainability rating: 32%
Has sustainability immersive experience? Yes
Has affordability and access programs? Yes

Programs Available:

Certificate in Environmental Sustainability For Business

Webster University

Saint Louis, Missouri

Programs Available:

Master of Business Administrationin - Emphasis in Environmental Management

Wilmington University

New Castle, Delaware

Programs Available:

Master of Business Administrationin in Environmental Sustainability

Yale University

New Haven, Connecticut

Sustainability rating:Silver
Campus sustainability rating:

Additional Information:

Sustainable curriculum rating: 44%
Social sustainability rating: 69%
Has sustainability immersive experience? Yes
Has affordability and access programs? Yes

Programs Available:

Master of Business Administration in Management/Environmental Studies
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