Master's in Sustainable Business Curriculum

Program begins with a set of bootcamps in statistics, excel and communications skills. These foundational courses will help students from both the MS in Sustainable Business and MS in Sustainable Engineering develop the necessary analytical and technical competencies to excel in the integrated program.  

In the fall semester, students will transition into the integrated core curriculum, a collaborative and interdisciplinary learning experience developed by three partner schools: the College of Arts and Sciences; the College of Engineering and Applied Science; and the Leeds School of Business.  

Each college/school offers two, 2.5-credit-hour courses, totaling six courses (15 credit hours) across two 7-week terms within the 14-week fall semester.  

This first-of-its-kind integrated curriculum blends sustainability knowledge with business and policy, scientific processes and engineering principles.  

This integrated core will include integration days providing experiential learning projects, industry panels, and policy discussions tying together the more theoretical course content with practical application. 

In the spring semester, students will shift from the integrated core to 12 credit hours of business-specific sustainability courses. These courses will provide a deeper dive into corporate sustainability strategies, ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance), sustainable finance, circular economy models, and impact-driven leadership. 

The program culminates in a three-credit-hour capstone project, where business and engineering students will collaborate on a real-world, project-based sustainability challenge. This hands-on experience allows students to apply and integrate their skills, preparing them to innovate, lead, and drive change in sustainability-focused careers. 

Spring Term - 15 credits
(January to May)
Students will select four of the 3 credit-hour electives plus the CAPSTONE from the course list in the spring semester to satisfy program requirements. 

Focuses on environmentally sustainable business ventures as well as issues associated with starting and operating a business that solves natural environmental challenges while achieving profitability. Includes a number of case studies, topical discussions, talks by environmental entrepreneurs, and an applied or library research project.

Explores techniques, processes, tools, and capabilities required to manage growth and land use change in the light of shifts beginning to transform the way we approach land use and real estate development.

Addresses the opportunities and problems of commercializing new renewable energy technologies. Focuses on energy markets, opportunity identification, life cycle analysis, policy economics, project financing and economic analysis as they relate to bringing renewable energy technologies to market.

Provides a vehicle for the development and presentation of new topics with the potential of being incorporated into the standard MBA curriculum.

Prepares future managers for confronting the truly difficult situations that arise when deploying economic resources, altering the physical environment, and making decisions that affect the lives of investors, employees, community members and other stakeholders. Case-based challenges will be examined in a broad range of contexts, and essential ethical concepts will be explored by drawing on theories from ethics, sociology, economics, political science and philosophy.

Social entrepreneurs adopt business approaches to solving global, social and environmental problems that have not been effectively addressed by government, business or traditional nonprofits. The course provides a framework for student teams to assist social entrepreneurs in developing countries, helping them achieve their social mission while operating sustainably and with measurable impact.

This course introduces students to the current state of corporate sustainability reporting through the lens of accounting and reporting concepts. The course has three basic elements. We will cover (1) data and measurement issues associated with corporate sustainability reporting, largely at the conceptual level, (2) current disclosure frameworks and the evolving regulatory landscape, and (3) other topics including ESG assurance, ESG ratings and the role of ESG information in sustainable investing.

Explores the world of consumer packaged goods (CPG) and brand management skills needed to successfully launch and manage products in a retail environment, applied to the natural and organic product industry. The course will be split into three parts: 1) CPG and Brand Management principles and techniques, 2) shopper insights to manage CPG products at retail, 3) brand and retail management principles applied to the Natural & Organic industry.

Description forthcoming

Lorem

MS Sustainability begins in August 
*all dates are subject to change

  • Online Python Bootcamp – Available in July 2026 and should be completed by the first day of classes on August 20, 2026.
  • Online Excel Bootcamp – Available in July 2026 and should be completed by the first day of classes on August 20, 2026.
  • Online Stats Bootcamp – Available in July 2026 and should be completed by the first day of classes on August 20, 2026.
  • Mandatory All Student Orientation – August 3-7, 2026
  • Program Start – August 20, 2026

*dates are subject to change