MS in Sustainability Management
International Student Deadline
Oct 15, 2024
Round 3
Nov 15, 2024
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.
The program can be completed on a full-time or part-time basis, starting in the fall. The residential MS in sustainability management is also a STEM-designated program.
In 2019, the average salary of Kogod's MS in sustainability management graduates was $90,667, with employers including Deloitte Consulting, EY, Marriott International, World Wildlife Fund,
World Bank Group, and more.
Both in-person and online options mostly consist of condensed evening courses to give the necessary flexibility to working students who may need to adjust the pace of their studies to accommodate work and life demands.
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.
Kogod’s Master's in Sustainability Management has opened up my world in so many positive ways; it's enabled me to pursue a career in something that I wake up excited about, inspired by and motivated to create meaningful and impactful change.
Becks Treharne
Kogod/BS Business Administration '14, MS Sustainability Management '15
Data plays a crucial role in organizations, both big and small, and analysts are invaluable team members. An analytics graduate certificate will provide you with a suite of in-demand skills needed to solve business challenges. Not only will you prove to be an unbeatable asset in your current role, but your certificate will also help you stand out in the job market.
What You'll Learn
Curriculum
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.
You'll Walk Away With
- 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.
The MS in Sustainability Management program at Kogod is one of the best. The professors are very supportive, the materials shared are very relevant and easily relatable, the cohorts are highly diverse in terms of all demographic elements, and hence conversations are very enriching."
Vivian Moyana
Current Master's in Sustainability Management Student
This season is all about sustainability, what it is, why it's important, how it fits into our everyday lives and careers, and, ultimately, how to get a job that makes a difference in the world. We'll be speaking to alumni with some fascinating jobs in the sustainability space and we'll find out how they got into sustainability, what drove them to want to make a difference, and what the job is really like.
STEM-Designated Program
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, granting them the ability to work in the US for up to 3 years.
International Capstone Experience
During the spring semester, students will participate in a Global Consulting project. Over spring break, you will travel abroad with your team to learn first-hand about sustainable practices in another country and meet in person with your consulting clients. Past locations include Copenhagen in Denmark and Malmo and Stockholm in Sweden.
City at the Forefront of Sustainability
Washington, DC, has been named the first Platinum LEED city in the world for its efforts in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, innovating around clean energy, and implementing other green initiatives.
American University is further deepening its investment in sustainability by redesigning its flagship MS in sustainability management program with a new curriculum, new online modality, and expanded faculty expertise.
Audrey is from Richmond, Virginia, and holds a degree in environmental biology from Christopher Newport University. She plans to work on sustainability and STEM education programs for the biodiesel firm she completed her undergraduate capstone with, and was drawn to Kogod for its similar focus on sustainability in waste management. Before coming to Kogod, she sat in on the capstone course for the MSSM program and was impressed by how welcoming the group was; she says, “my graduate ambassadors made me feel right at home and introduced me to student organizations that I’m now connected with as a student.” Schedule a one-on-one chat with Audrey today to learn more about her experience at Kogod!
Jazlyn joins Kogod from Silver Spring, Maryland, and earned her undergraduate degree in economics and environmental studies at the St. Mary’s College of Maryland. She chose Kogod due to the resources and opportunities available to students and to the welcoming campus community. She says, “one of the biggest reasons I chose Kogod over other institutions with similar programs is the ability to travel abroad and apply our skillset to assist businesses in emerging economies.” After graduation, Jazlyn aims to work in corporate sustainability and to help businesses reduce their carbon footprint while still maximizing earnings. To talk with Jazlyn about her time as a Kogod student, schedule a one-on-one today!
Jenna joins Kogod from Cambridge, Massachusetts, and holds a BS in psychology from Northeastern University. She found that Kogod aligned with her own strong sustainability values, saying that “AU is a school that truly practices the sustainability that it preaches.” She was also impressed by Kogod’s location in DC, the school’s active, supportive career center, and the support of Lisa Francis from the admissions team. To talk to Jenna about her time at Kogod, schedule a chat with her today!
Luis is from Miami, Florida, and earned his BS in mechanical engineering from Washington University in St. Louis. He consulted for the airport industry for nine years, and returned to school to learn how to best advance sustainability initiatives in his field. He chose to continue his education with Kogod because of its unique location, engaged alumni community, and the interdisciplinary nature of the MSSM program. He says, “the MSSM program is unique in that it’s in the business school but is also a STEM degree, which aligns with my work experience and professional goals.” Schedule a one-on-one chat with Luis today to hear more about his experience as a Kogod student!
Our graduates have found professional success across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors, with 63 percent working in for-profit organizations, 21 percent working in government organizations, and 16 percent working in nonprofit organizations.
Graduates of the program can work as:
- Communications officers
- Program officers
- Project managers
- Analysts
- Policy advisors
Recent employers include:
- Bain & Company
- Carlyle Group
- Climate Finance Advisors
- Deloitte Consulting
- EY
- IDB Invest
- JLL
- Marriott International
- UBS
- World Wildlife Fund
- World Bank Group
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