Master of Science in Sustainability Management
The Master of Science in Sustainability Management degree offers a dynamic, mission-driven curriculum that focuses on application of sustainability principles in all spheres of life – environmental, economic, social – for protection of the environment and earth’s natural resources, in promoting economic development without impacting the environment, and in implementing practical solutions based on principles of social inclusion, thus ensuring a better quality of life for all members of the society. Graduates of the program will be well positioned to lead the workforce in devising and implementing sustainable strategies for development in business, non-profit organizations, and in the public sector (municipal government to federal).
Program Objectives
The program prepares students to:
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head an organization’s sustainability program as a sustainability manager. Sustainability managers find jobs in business, nonprofit and public sectors (city government to federal).
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lead the corporate social responsibility team in a large company (those from social science background).
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work as an environmental auditor in the public sector, or as an independent consultant (those from science and/or business background.
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work as a mid-level environmental manager in an environmental consulting firm (those from science and/or engineering background).
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work as an urban planner, either in the city government, or as an independent consultant (those from planning or architecture background).
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be employed as an environmental lawyer (those with law degrees).
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pursue further studies; obtain a Ph.D. in sustainability and join academia as a researcher and/or faculty member.
Program Outcomes
By the time of graduation, students will be able to:
Specifically, the graduates are expected to:
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demonstrate fluency in the current body of knowledge in sustainability and apply that knowledge toward optimal decision-making processes in their respective field of practice.
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exhibit proper use of integrative thinking in order to holistically analyze the relationship between human activity and the natural, social, and economic environments.
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integrate sustainability at various levels in their organizations.
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acquire both qualitative and quantitative analytical skills and apply those skills in solving sustainability-related problems in the context of their professional interests and expertise.
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evaluate the sustainability of current and future technology applications.
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possess high quality written and oral communication skills to efficiently communicate complex sustainability issues to a varied audience.
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demonstrate a high level of professionalism.
Degree Requirements
The program is a 30-credit degree program. Students are required to complete:
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5 core courses (25 credits)
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a minimum of 3 electives (9 credits) from the options below
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2 free electives (6 credits) with approval from the academic advisor
A thesis is optional and may substitute for a maximum of 6 credits of coursework.
Core Courses
| SM 510 | Perspectives in Environmental Management | 3 |
| Or | |
| EN 510 | Perspectives in Environmental Management | 3 |
| | |
| SM 690 | Project in Sustainability Management | 3 |
| Or | |
| EN 692 | Project in Sustainability Management | 3 |
| | |
| SM 501 | Seminar in Sustainability Management | 1 |
| Or | |
| EN 501 | Seminar in Sustainability Management | 1 |
| | |
| SM 540 | Sustainability Assessment Tools | 3 |
| SM 530 | Sustainable Business Strategies | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 20 |
Elective Courses
Minimum of 3 courses from this list:
| MGT 609 | Project Management Fundamentals | 3 |
| | |
| SM 520 | Environmental Assessment | 3 |
| Or | |
| EN 517 | Environmental Assessment | 3 |
| | |
| EN 586 | Hazardous Waste Treatment and Management | 3 |
| SM 587 | Environmental Law and Management | 3 |
| SM 515 | Statistical Methods in Sustainability | 3 |
| SM 531 | Sustainable Development | 3 |
| SM 535 | Innovation for Sustainable Business | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 24 |