Adam asks: I am trying to find reputable online MBA programs that concentrate on Sustainability. All the programs I see on Beyond Grey Pinstripes require some type of "on-site" attendance. Are there any distance learning/online Sustainability MBA programs? Thanks!

Answer: Adam, if you’ve been doing research for MBA programs that focus on sustainability then I’m afraid to say that you’re already a step ahead of me. While I’ve heard increasing focus on secondary education programs that include sustainability on a local level, there aren’t many fully developed MBA programs in this field yet. Take into account the fact that ‘green’ and ‘sustainability’ are two of the biggest buzz words flying around these days and we have the perfect storm of opportunity for what I’ll refer to as schemes, for lack of a better term.

Being on several mailing lists for GBCI, USGBC, as well as the contact person for our local chapter I’m privy to any and all emails that come across my colleagues in the green building community. Many of these educational programs are legit, but unfortunately there are always those that just want to take advantage of a situation and profit without providing a real service to their students. These are the programs you have to watch out for and, call me old fashioned, but I’m always wary of ‘online only’ degree programs. Don’t get me wrong, there are plenty of legitimate online degrees available, but you have to ask yourself how it will look to potential employers down the road, which is the whole reason for the degree, right?

The Beyond Pinstripes resource is a very good one in the sense that the biennial survey and ranking of business schools strives to spotlight innovative full-time MBA programs that are integrating issues of social and environmental stewardship into curricula and research.

All that being said, based on the brief research I’ve done on the topic, there are a couple of programs that I’d recommend taking a closer look at. I’ve detailed them below for you, along with contact information for each. Good luck in your search!

Frederick A. and Barbard M. Erb Institute for Global Sustainable Enterprise and the University of Michigan: “fosters global sustainable enterprise through interdisciplinary research and education initiatives, including our acclaimed MBA/MS Program. Utilizing a collaborative approach, we help business, government and civil society organizations to achieve meaningful progress toward sustainability.” (This program is located in Ann Arbor, MI.) More information at http://www.erb.umich.edu/default.htm

Marshall Goldsmith School of Management: “the Bright Green MBA program is an adaptation of the existing MBA program… the core MBA curriculum is woven into a sequence of courses and experiences that prepare students to be not simply effective leaders, but effective triple-bottom-line leaders for a changing world.” Course delivery is offered in a hybrid format in which students attend class together over long weekends once a month and via online delivery of classes between those weekends. More information at http://mgsm.alliant.edu/academic-programs/bright-green-mba/

Similarly in terms of education delivery method, Presidio Graduate School offers an MBA in Sustainable Management which “connects rigorous management theory and practice with social responsibility, ecological awareness, systems thinking and leadership within an integrated framework of sustainable management.

Hope this helps,
Sarah Gudeman, LEED AP