Online MBA Spotlight: The Green MBA

The green economy employs mroe than 10 million people and according to the International Labour Organization (ILO), “a shift to a greener economy could create 24 million new jobs globally by 2030, if the right policies are put in place.” As the industry grows, more and more companies adopt the triple bottom line of social, environmental, and economic success as their barometer. In 2011, just 20% of companies on the S&P 500 Index published corporate sustainability reports. By 2014, that number had climbed to 72%, illustrating just how quickly the nature of business is changing.

As the planet continues to evolve, growth in the green industry and the excitement associated with it are destined to persist. The academic world has responded by creating innovative and competitive programs that can help keep up with the demand for business leaders that will create and conduct business in an environmentally conscious manner.

While many of America’s most prestigious business schools were way ahead of the game and began offering Green MBA programs more than a decade ago, the latest crop of contenders consists of some noteworthy institutions that also offer quality programs, but at a more affordable price.

This is good news for business leaders-in-training and seasoned business professionals hoping to enter this lucrative and fast growing field—without breaking the bank. 

About the Green MBA

Also called “Sustainable MBA,” Green MBA programs cover traditional MBA program topics such as finance, leadership and organizational behavior (LEAD), marketing, and technology. As students move through the program, the focus shifts to areas such as sustainable systems (ethics and social justice, sustainability literacy, systems thinking), sustainable leadership (organizational change, relationship management, and efficacy, resilience and adaptability), environmental studies, and much more. Course titles and curriculums will vary by school, of course, but the goal remains the same—to produce future business leaders that generate profits without harming the environment or society.

A typical Green MBA program takes two to three years to complete. However, some schools offer accelerated programs, either online or on-campus, which can take as few as 18 months to complete. Like traditional MBA programs, tuition costs for Green MBA programs will vary considerably by school, resident status, and more. For example, private schools typically cost more than public schools, and residents usually pay less than non-residents do.

Which Schools Offer an Online Green MBA?

As mentioned, a number of schools have been offering Green MBA programs for more than a decade. Dominican University of California, for example, began offering an MBA in Sustainable Enterprise/Green MBA back in 2000. Unfortunately, we can’t list all of the Online Green MBA programs here, but we do have room for a few options. Here you go.

• Alliant International University, Marshall Goldsmith School of Management, Bright Green MBA
• Anaheim University, Akio Morita School of Business, MBA in Global Sustainable Management (Green MBA)
• Antioch University New England, The Graduate School, MBA Sustainability
• Clark University, Graduate School of Management, MBA Social Change and Sustainability
• Colorado State University, College of Business, MBA Global Social & Sustainable Enterprise
• Concordia University Wisconsin, Batterman School of Business, MBA in Sustainability Management and Analytics
• Franklin Pierce University, College of Graduate and Professional Studies, MBA in Energy and Sustainability Studies
• Green Mountain College, Graduate Studies, Sustainable MBA
• Maharishi University of Management, College of Business Administration, MBA in Sustainable Business
• Portland State University, School of Business, MBA with a Certificate in Sustainability
• Presidio Graduate School, MBA in Sustainable Solutions
• San Francisco Institute of Architecture, MBA in Sustainability – Green MBA
• Southern New Hampshire University, College of Business, MBA in Sustainability and Environmental Compliance
• Unity College, School of Environmental Citizenship, Sustainable MBA
• University of Denver, Daniels College of Business, Green MBA
• University of Michigan, Ross School of Business, MBA with a Concentration in Business and Sustainability (BaS)
• University of North Carolina, Kenan-Flagler Business School, MBA with a Concentration in Sustainable Enterprise
• University of Saint Francis, College of Business and Health Administration, MBA in Sustainability

Considering an Online MBA? Use our interactive map to find information on schools and colleges offering Online MBA programs in your state and across the U.S.

Sources

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Di Meglio, Francesca. "Going Green: MBA Sustainability Programs." Bloomberg.com. Bloomberg, n.d. Web. 14 Sept. 2015.

"Green economy could create 24 million new jobs." UN.org. United Nations, 2019. Web. 24 Jun. 2019.

Green, Tracy. The Dictionary of Global Sustainability: With Case Studies on the Environmental, Economic, Technological, and Social Aspects of Sustainability. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2013. Print.

"Green Definitions." Home - FloridaJobs.org. Agency for Workforce Innovation, Florida Agency for Workforce Innovation, Labor Market Statistics Center, n.d. Web. 14 Sept. 2015.

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Kloosterman, Karin. "The Top 5 Green MBA Programs In America (Probably The World)." HuffingtonPost.com. Huffington Post, n.d. Web. 14 Sept. 2015.

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