While traditional MBA degrees require coursework and experiential learning in finances, analytics, management, economic theory, and business ethics; a sustainable MBA program, or green MBA, includes these subjects, but taught within the imposed limits of managing for environmental and social sustainability.What exactly does sustainability mean?
The term encompasses economic, environmental, and social sustainability — something known as the Triple Bottom Line. For each of these domains, sustainability means that it will be possible to continue through the foreseeable future, at least, without major breakdowns, such as:
- Economic: Running out of oil or other natural resources and having nothing to replace them on the scale required
- Environmental: Loss of habitat, species, and whole ecologies; global warming
- Social: Overpopulation beyond the carrying capacity of the earth; consequences of eliminating poverty within the current economic model
With all of the green initiatives and sustainable trends in today’s business world, there are a number of highly desirable and profitable green industries — e.g., renewable energy, international development — looking for more sustainability. For those interested in green programs, there are plenty of opportunities.
Here’s a rundown of the top business schools that offer Green MBAs or business programs with an emphasis on sustainability.
Notable Green MBA Programs
F.W. Olin Graduate School of Business – Babson College San Francisco
Babson College’s Graduate School is among the “Business Schools Best for ‘Green Business’ Education”, according to The Princeton Review and Entrepreneur magazine. The school’s Green Curriculum offers more than a dozen green-themed classes, including Imagining Sustainability, Water in America and Social Responsibility in Malaysia. Oh, and fun fact: BigBelly Solar, which makes solar-powered compacting trash cans, was partially founded by alum Jim Poss.
Peter F. Drucker and Masatoshi Ito Graduate School of Management – Claremont Graduate University
Also listed in Entrepreneur’s list, Claremont recently developed special topics courses on sustainability, which include an 11-day program in Costa Rica called Doing Business in a Culture of Sustainability. Dr. Michael Crooke, former CEO of Patagonia and former CEO of Revolution Living, is a proud alum.
Columbia Business School
Columbia’s degree in Sustainability Management, which is co-sponsored by The Earth Institute and the School of Professional Studies, addresses the need for formal training and education in sustainability. According to the program’s website, it takes “a bold and innovative approach to sustainability that prioritizes the protection of Earth’s systems and resources as well as the spread of social and economic opportunities for all people.” Students will learn to solve problems in the complex systems of water, environmental services, climate, waste and energy to be able to maximize efficient usage and minimize their negative impacts.
Fuqua School of Business — Duke University
According to Entrepreneur, Fuqua offers a three-year MBA/Master of Environmental Management and Master of Forestry/Master of Business Administration (MF/MBA) joint-degree programs and helps place graduates in some of the most sought-after sustainability positions in industry and non-governmental organizations. In the intensive three-year joint degree cohort, students spend time immersed at both the Fuqua School of Business and the Nicholas School of the Environment, with access to additional classes in energy and environment disciplines at Duke’s Pratt School of Engineering, Sanford School of Public Policy, School of Law, and other Duke departments across campus.
Stern School of Business — NYU
Stern offers a specialization in Social Innovation and Impact and features classes like Corporate Branding and Corporate Social Responsibility, Introduction to Environmental and Social Sustainability and Foundations of Social Entrepreneurship. Stern also boasts a Center For Sustainable Business. The Center’s mission is to assist current and future business leaders in developing the knowledge, skills, and experience needed to address environmental and social challenges, so their business can reduce risk; create competitive advantage; develop innovative services, products, and processes; while building value for society and protecting the planet.
Portland State University
This MBA program, located in a very green state, integrates sustainability throughout the curriculum. A concentration in sustainability is available with courses like Product Design and Stewardship, Metrics for Sustainable Enterprise, and Social Sustainability. Each year, Portland State’s Center for Global Leadership in Sustainability hosts a conference on business and sustainability, operates a case study fellowship, and is home to the Social Innovation Incubator.
Stanford University Graduate School of Business
According to Bloomberg Business, this joint-degree program between Stanford Graduate School of Business and the School of Earth Sciences focuses on the science, engineering, and technology required to address environmental problems. The Aspen Institute ranked the program No. 1 in its Beyond Grey Pinstripes ranking for the school’s “curriculum, research, experiential learning, and commitment to corporate social responsibility and environmental sustainability.”
Stephen M. Ross School of Business – University of Michigan
Michigan Ross has been a leader in research, education, and leadership development in sustainability since it launched its dual MBA/MS program in 1996. The School’s Erb Institute For Global Sustainable Enterprise is a partnership between the Ross School of Business and the School of Natural Resources and Environment (SNRE) at the University of Michigan.
UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School
The school’s MBA Concentration in Sustainable Enterprise applies across functional areas and industries and teaches students how to craft strategies that help companies pursue a triple bottom line — a skill that more and more companies say they seek. Available electives include Sustainable Operations, The Energy Value Chain, Gender and the Workplace, Managing Workplace Diversity, Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Developing Countries
Mendoza College of Business — Notre Dame
According to Entrepreneur, Mendoza’s program offers sustainability courses focused on topics like “greening” the supply chain and improving environmental accounting. The College also features lecture series, including Ten Years Hence, that bring speakers to campus to discuss how environmental concerns can be better incorporated into business practices.
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