The Sustainability in Business Master of Science (MS) program is housed in the Driehaus College of business and teaches students highly sought-after skills in sustainability decision-making, analytics, and practical application, making them valuable assets to any organization. Additionally, students will be connected to Chicago's vibrant sustainability ecosystem, opening up valuable networking and career opportunities. The program consists of 9 core courses in the Driehaus College of Business and any 3 graduate-level electives from offerings in the Kellstadt Graduate School of Business, Department of Environmental Science, School of Public Service, and Department of Geography.
Program Features
The Sustainability in Business Master of Science has a unique curriculum that will teach you:
- Strategic Advantage: By examining how environmental and social sustainability issues impact firm value and investments, you will be able to develop strategies that not only address sustainability challenges but also drive business success.
- In-Demand Skills: As businesses and governments increasingly prioritize sustainability, the demand for professionals with expertise in this field is growing. You will gain valuable skills in sustainability accounting, data analytics, and predictive modeling that are highly sought after.
- Economic Insight: Understanding the economic impact of sustainability issues on business is crucial for making informed decisions that benefit both the environment and the bottom line. This program provides a solid foundation in evaluating these economic factors.
- Regulatory Knowledge: With a thorough grasp of key regulatory and policy frameworks, you will be well-prepared to navigate the complex landscape of sustainability practices at local, national, and global levels.
- Comprehensive Reporting: The ability to apply Global Reporting standards and conduct life cycle assessments equips you with the tools to create detailed and impactful business sustainability reports, enhancing transparency and accountability.
- Hands-On Experience: The program emphasizes the practical application of data analytics methods to analyze sustainability data, ensuring that you can apply your knowledge in real-world scenarios
STEM Designation
| Program Requirements | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|
| Degree Requirements | 48 |
| Total hours required | 48 |
Learning Outcomes
Students will be able to:
- Explore the numerous different sustainability career paths that are available across industries.
- Evaluate the economic impact of sustainability issues on business.
- Understand the fundamental principles of sustainability accounting.
- Examine how common environmental/social sustainability social issues and solutions impact firm value and firm investments.
- Develop predictive models for sustainability outcomes relative to business decision-making.
- Apply data analytics methods to analyze sustainability data.
- Identify key regulatory and policy frameworks that influence sustainability practices at the local, national, and global levels.
- Apply Global Reporting standards to prepare business sustainability reports. Use life cycle assessments to interpret the environmental impact of products and inputs used in business
Degree Requirements
Course Requirements
To earn the Master of Science in Sustainability in Business, students must complete a total of 12 courses. Nine courses are required core courses, three are selected from the list of interdisciplinary electives.
Core Courses
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ACC 553 | SUSTAINABILITY ACCOUNTING AND REPORTING | 4 |
| ECO 551 | SUSTAINABILITY DECISION-MAKING AND STRATEGY FOR BUSINESS | 4 |
| ENV 506 | SUSTAINABILITY SCIENCE: ENVIRONMENTAL LIMITS, HUMAN NEEDS, & SYSTEMS THINKING | 4 |
| FIN 559 | SUSTAINABLE VALUE CREATION | 4 |
| GSB 550 | SUSTAINABILITY ANALYTICS | 4 |
| GSB 551 | SUSTAINABILITY IN PRACTICE: CHICAGO BUSINESS EXPERIENCE | 4 |
| GSB 552 | SUSTAINABILITY DATA MANAGEMENT FOR BUSINESS | 4 |
| MGT 512 | DEVELOPING SUSTAINABLE STRATEGIES (FORMERLY GSB 595) | 4 |
| MGT 515 | SUSTAINABILITY MANAGEMENT | 4 |
Interdisciplinary Electives: Select 3 (12 credit hours); graduate courses from KGSB, ENV, MPS, GEO, SUD; Students May Select Any Three Courses.
Degree Requirements
- Satisfactory completion of the college residency requirement.
- Satisfactory completion of the 9 required courses and 3 elective courses, or their substitutes as approved by the Director of the program.
- All courses for credit toward the degree must be completed within six calendar years after the candidate’s first term of enrollment in the Kellstadt Graduate School of Business. After a lapse of six years a course is expired. An expired course is not acceptable for the purpose of satisfaction of degree requirements and is not applicable to the degree.