These days, money almost does grow on trees.
Getting your MBA is always an exciting prospect, as is the next step along any career path. But as you move on to grad school, you might find the traditional business path isn't right for you. And looking at the amount of potential available in doing business better--referred to as sustainable business practices--specialization in social and environmental responsibility could be both a valuable asset and positive way to contribute to the world around you. Increasingly, college MBA programs are offering concentrations in sustainable business practices and the interesting challenges of this emerging field.
University of California, Berkeley
UC Berkeley's Center for Responsible Business claims alumni from major tech companies.
UC Berkeley has a formidable reputation in the field of environmental sustainability. The universiety was among the first to offer programs in socially responsible business management, and it remains one of the highest-ranked to this day. Berkeley's business school launched its Center for Responsible Business in 2003 and claims alumni employed at Amazon.com, Sun Microsystems, Mozilla and Revolution Foods. The program includes specific courses in the metrics and strategy of environmental sustainability in business, as well as other commitments to social responsibility. Additionally, the Center's faculty is engaged in research specifically targeted at issues of business sustainability, including specific projects in responsible investment and directing capital toward environmentally-sensitive operations. Research also extends into solutions for sustainable product development and marketing.
Portland State University
Portland State does not offer MBA programs without a sustainability focus.
The Portland State University (PSU) School of Business Administration is unusual in that it only has a sustainable business program--it isn't possible to get an MBA at PSU without going through courses in sustainability and innovation. As a result, the program is a little more extensive than most MBA requirements, encompassing two years in full-time instruction and an additional part-time year. PSU's sustainability focus emphasizes effective leadership and environmental ethics in operations and supply management. Graduates also learn strategies employed in commerce to adapt to changing resource realities more safely and to foster innovations that allow continued operation in the face of rising energy costs.
University of Michigan
Topping the Aspen Institute's ranking of top business schools specializing in sustainability was the Ross Business School at the University of Michigan. The school's accolades may be well-deserved; the MBA program features numerous electives in environmental and social responsibility. Additionally, students receive schooling in an interesting multidisciplinary approach to business relationships, which helps them to work more interdependently with associates to best meet the needs of clients and of the larger community. The university's program in sustainable business management is supported in part by private donations, helping to seed research and faculty positions in the "green" business field. Finally, the school also offers a dual degree program--in partnership with the university's natural resources school--that allows students to focus on the principles of sound business management with a deep background in the earth sciences.
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