The Top Sustainability MBA
Online Programs
A sustainability MBA online degree offers students attending MBA schools the opportunity to combine their business education with knowledge of energy usage, waste generation, employee wellness and green building practices in order to improve productivity and profits while reducing excess consumption and waste. A national focus on waste reduction and energy conservation has prompted business leaders to recognize the importance of consuming fewer resources. As a result, business students are increasingly considering an online Master of Business Administration in Sustainability.
Programs with top online sustainability MBA rankings will offer a complete business education combined with information on how to run a profitable business while reducing waste, decreasing energy consumption and placing a high value on human health and wellness. Graduates with an online MBA in sustainability will enter the job market with advanced skills in management, as well as an improved understanding of how to achieve responsible corporate leadership.
How can I tell if an online MBA sustainability degree is right for me?
An online Master of Business Administration in Sustainability will appeal to students who are interested in beginning a career in business but also have an interest in environmental and ecological sustainability.
Some additional characteristics that are common amongst many online MBA sustainability students include:
- A capability for performing general physical activities
- An aptitude for establishing and maintaining interpersonal relationships
- An inclination for making decisions and solving problems
- A knack for getting information
- An inclination for communicating with persons outside organization
How long does it take to earn an MBA online sustainability degree?
The time it takes to earn a sustainability MBA degree online is comparable to the time it takes to earn other MBAs online. To finish this degree it generally takes 2 years of full-time study. But, some institutions have part-time or accelerated programs that give students the ability to finish the program in a more convenient manner.
What are the prerequisites and admission requirements for MBA sustainability schools online?
Accredited online MBA sustainability programs normally require students to possess a bachelor’s degree before gaining admission in the MBA program. While having a bachelor’s degree in areas like public policy, business administration, science, and alternative energy may be ideal for those considering enrolling in a good MBA sustainability online program, it is generally not required.
The following criteria are also used by many online MBA in sustainability programs in making admissions decisions including:
- Personal interviews
- Academic transcripts
- Essays
- References or Letters of Recommendation
What courses will I take in sustainability MBA programs online?
In their first year of study, students attending accredited sustainability MBA schools online will primarily enroll in general business courses, which may include accounting, economics, marketing, finance and management. Additional introductory courses in sustainability may be required to provide students with an overview of general sustainability practices.
In the latter half of a sustainability MBA online degree program, students can expect to take courses specific to the major, such as sustainable products and services, corporate ethics and clean technology. In addition, at this point in the MBA sustainability online program, students may also focus on complex management concepts such as microeconomics, operations management and business information technology.
In addition to coursework, internships are also completed by some students in online sustainability MBA programs. These internships can be very helpful. Through them, students get an opportunity to put their learning into practical use. They also often make valuable business contacts.
What are the best online MBA in sustainability books I should consider reading?
Books that may prove to be helpful for students wanting to pursue sustainability MBA careers include:
1. Sustainable Value: How the World’s Leading Companies are Doing Well by Doing Good (Christopher Laszlo) – This book provides students of online sustainability MBA schools with an overview of the sustainability practices used by leading companies around the globe and a step-by-step approach to integrating similar strategies.
2. Embedded Sustainability: The Next Big Competitive Advantage (Nadya Zhexembayeva) – The author of this book describes cost-effective strategies for incorporating environmental, health and social values into a company’s core business activities without sacrificing productivity.
3. Reinventing Fire: Bold Business Solutions for the New Energy Era (Amory Lovins) – This book focuses on efforts by leading businesses to reduce energy consumption and move toward mainstream use of renewable energy solutions.
4. Natural Capitalism: Creating the Next Industrial Revolution (L. Hunter Lovins; Amory Lovins; Paul Hawken) – This book argues that companies have not changed the way they operate in order to adapt to changes in the supply of natural resources, but then recommends strategies for moving beyond outdated business attitudes toward a more sustainable corporate mindset.
5. Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things (Michael Braungart) – The authors of this book take a new approach to the mantra “reduce, reuse, recycle” by reviewing ways for companies and individuals to consume less, spend less and waste less.
What are my future job prospects if I pursue sustainability MBA jobs?
As more businesses make sustainability a priority, graduates of the best MBA online sustainability programs will be well positioned in the job market. Careers in sustainability include sustainability specialists, operations specialists, sustainability practice compliance officers and occupational health and safety specialists. While jobs data on sustainability careers is limited, 1,064,000 people were hired as sustainability specialists in 2010, with 217,000 environmental compliance officers and 59,000 occupational health and safety specialists hired in the same year. While the sustainability MBA salary range varies widely by occupation, average salaries for the most popular jobs in the field are as follows:
- Sustainability Specialist – $64,030
- Operations Specialist – $64,030
- Compliance Officer – $60,740
- Occupational Health and Safety Specialist – $66,270
The job outlook for students graduating from online MBA sustainability programs varies by area of focus. Job growth in occupational health is projected to slow to between 3% and 9%, which may be due to the decline in the types of factories that cause occupational health risks. Job growth for sustainability specialists and compliance officers is better, with expected growth of 10% to 19% as an increasing number of companies adopt environmental sustainability practices.
Many employers prefer graduates who have earned their degrees from AACSB accredited sustainability MBA programs. Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business accreditation typically indicates that a business school provides a quality education.
What are the top online schools to pursue an online Sustainability MBA degree?
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