MS in Sustainability Management

Global sustainability presents a range of critical problems including climate change, environmental justice, resource conservation, and sustainable development. To meet these challenges, companies and organizations seek talented professionals trained in sustainability management. Situated at the intersection of business and sustainability, Kogod attracts students from the US and abroad pursuing careers in the public, private, non-profit, and NGO sectors.

Why Kogod?

A Business School Dedicated to Sustainability

Our program is one of the few of its kind that is housed in a business school. We teach the mechanics of sustainable business and empower students to maximize their impact in the field through a variety of cutting-edge courses and experiential learning opportunities. At Kogod, we practice what we preach—we are the first carbon-neutral university in the country and are an AASHE-certified green campus. The campus itself is an arboretum.

Experiential in Nature

Kogod's MS in sustainability management program emphasizes experiential learning. We undertake live projects with sustainability stakeholders in the US and abroad, including an international capstone program in Scandinavia. Through these projects, students apply the tools and methodologies acquired in their studies to critical problems in sustainability.

Three Career Tracks Available

A complex issue requires a multidisciplinary approach. That's why our curriculum incorporates topics like environmental and social science, public policy, and international relations. For additional expertise, you can choose from one of our three career tracks—business, environment, and policy.

Obtain Professional Certificates

Gain an edge in this competitive job market by completing one of our six professional graduate certificates.

STEM-designated programs equip students with technological expertise and leadership skills vital to the US economy. The designation also allows international students to apply for a 24-month extension of their Optional Practical Training.

The MS in sustainability management consists of 30 credit hours. The curriculum is divided into 15 credit hours of core curriculum courses and 15 credit hours of electives.

The core curriculum includes:

• Social sustainability
• Managing for Climate Change
• Business Fundamentals
• Managerial Economic and Business Strategy
• Applied Sustainability Management

Elective courses are available in three tracks:

• Business sustainability—including sustainability finance, ESG funds, sustainability systems, sustainable entrepreneurship, urban planning and sustainability, and much more.
• Environment—including water resources, international environmental law, environmental sustainability, and more.
• Policy—including managing non-profit organizations, environment and politics, international development, and more.
  International Capstone

The highlight of our program is our international capstone project in applied sustainability management. Together with your classmates, you'll travel internationally to learn about best practices in sustainability across different industries and cultures.

Course Requirements

Required (15 credit hours)

• FIN-630 Financial Analysis of the Firm: Concepts and Applications (3)
• IBUS-641 Social Sustainability Strategy (3)
• IBUS-744 International Dimensions in Management: Study Abroad Project (2-3) (3 credit hours required)
• MGMT-617 Sustainability Systems and Innovation (3)
• MKTG-612 Marketing Management (3)

Elective (3 credit hours)

Complete 3 credit hours from the following:

• ENVS-610 Environmental Science I (3)
• ENVS-615 Environmental Science II (3)
• IBUS-745 Global Supply Chain Management (3)
• PUAD-685 Topics in Policy Analysis and Management (1-3) : Environmental Sustainability and Public Policy (3)
• SIS-660 Environment and Politics (3)

Career Track (9 credit hours)

Complete 9 credit hours from one of the following if not taken to fulfill Elective, or other graduate courses approved by program director:

Sustainability Communications Executive

• COMM-639 Political Communication (3)
• EDU-681 Managing Nonprofit Organizations (3) / PUAD-681 Managing Nonprofit Organizations (3)
• GOVT-627 Government Regulation and Deregulation (3)
• IBUS-671 Peace through Entrepreneurship and Global Business Practicum (3)/ MGMT-671 Peace through Entrepreneurship and Global Business Practicum (3)
• PUAD-603 Policy Process (3)
• PUAD-685 Topics in Policy Analysis and Management (1-3) (approved topic)
• REAL-736 Urban Planning and Sustainability (3)
• SIS-620 Studies in Global Environmental Politics (3): Political Ecology of Food and Agriculture
• SIS-635 Advanced Topics in Development Management (3) : Social Enterprise: Context and Best Practices
• SIS-660 Environment and Politics (3)

Sustainability Consultant

• ENVS-505 Energy (3)
• ENVS-610 Environmental Science I (3)
• ENVS-615 Environmental Science II (3)
• ENVS-660 Climatology (3)
• ENVS-665 Environmental Risk Assessment (3)
• ITEC-643 Project Management (3)
  or PUAD-617 Project Management (3)
• KSB-688 Consulting Practicum (3)/ MGMT-688 Consulting Practicum (3)
• MGMT-626 Management Consulting Practices and Methodologies (3)
• MGMT-643 Water, Energy and Sustainable Enterprise (3)
• MGMT-644 Managing for Climate Change (3)
• SIS-620 Studies in Global Environmental Politics (3) : Sustainable Design/LEED Training

Sustainability Entrepreneur

• IBUS-671 Peace through Entrepreneurship and Global Business Practicum (3)/ MGMT-671 Peace through Entrepreneurship and Global Business Practicum (3)
• MGMT-660 Entrepreneurship and Innovation (3)
• MGMT-661 Entrepreneurship Practicum: New Venture Business Plan (3)
• MGMT-669 New Venture Startup: Operational, Financial, and Legal Strategies (3)
• MGMT-670 Social Impact Entrepreneurship and Innovation (3)
• MKTG-551 Marketing for Social Change (3)
• SIS-635 Advanced Topics in Development Management (3) : Social Enterprise: Context and Best Practices
• SIS-649 Environment and Development (3)
• SIS-660 Environment and Politics (3)

Sustainability Executive

• ACCT-600 Ethics in Business and Accounting (3)
• COMM-689 Communication, Culture, and the Environment (3)
• GOVT-627 Government Regulation and Deregulation (3)
• IBUS-745 Global Supply Chain Management (3)
• MGMT-611 Leading and Managing Change (3)
• MGMT-642 Sustainable Products and Purchasing (3)
• MGMT-643 Water, Energy and Sustainable Enterprise (3)
• MGMT-644 Managing for Climate Change (3)
• MKTG-551 Marketing for Social Change (3)
• PUAD-685 Topics in Policy Analysis and Management (1-3)
• SIS-649 Environment and Development (3)

Capstone (3 credit hours)

• MGMT-720 Applied Sustainability Management (3)

• Functional Business Knowledge—a foundation in each of the functional areas of business, including accounting and financial analysis, production and marketing of goods and services, management of people and organizations, and information and technology management.
• Strategic Thinking & Integration—proficiency in strategic decision-making abilities by integrating academic (across disciplines) and experiential learning. Understand critical interrelationships and linkages necessary for developing global business strategy, including connections between strategic and operational issues, and relationships among functional disciplines.
• The Power of Kogod’s Network—since its inception ten years ago, the program has graduated an ever-expanding global alumni network, with graduates filling sustainability-related roles in the private, public, non-profit, and NGO sectors.
• Analytical Problem Solving—proficiency in applying quantitative information, tools, methods, and professional judgment in solving business problems.
• Communication—ability to demonstrate professional competence in oral and written communication skills in a business setting.
• Leadership Styles and Teamwork—proficiency to identify different leadership styles and demonstrate the ability to work effectively in diverse teams.
• Business & Society—proficiency in understanding the global environment in which business operates, including economic, legal, ethical, and societal dimensions.

Graduates of the program can work as:

• Communications officers
• Program officers
• Project managers
• Analysts
• Policy advisors