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Green Education: Which Online Green MBA Degree Program is Right for Me?

 
Question:

Chandra asks: I am considering a green MBA through an online school and I am wondering if you can tell me the cost of such programs? What are the best MBA schools for environmental studies?


Answer:
Advice provided by: Ruby Gonzalez-Jimenez, LEED Green Associate, Expedient Energy
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These are excellent questions, since I am also considering a green Masters of Business Administration (MBA) through an online program. After a few weeks of extensive research, I concluded that while people are gaining awareness of the “Green Revolution”, Green MBA programs are relatively new and not as readily accessible as other degrees. One needs to dig deep to find the right program.

How Much Does an Online Green MBA Cost?

The green MBA programs offered online are mostly self-paced. For that reason, the tuition for a green MBA is difficult to generalize and will vary in these three areas:

1) the length of time that the program takes to complete
2) the type of program and
3) the universities offering the program.

What Is the Best Green MBA Program?

The best schools for an MBA in environmental studies are difficult to identify because your ultimate choice will be based on how well the green MBA program meets your individual needs and expectations. When narrowing your options, you should ask yourself the following questions:

1) Does the school offer the exact program I seek?
2) Does the program’s tuition match my budget?
3) Does the program offer personal assistance or extra help, or is it only auto-tutorial?

To show the potential variation in online green MBA programs, I've compared San Francisco Institute of Architecture's (SFIA) online green MBA program to Anaheim University's program.

San Francisco Institute of Architecture (SFIA) Green MBA


SFIA Online Green MBA Program
Tuition $4,800.00
Program Assistance: Professor feedback via email
Program Length: Less than 5 years to complete



The San Francisco Institute of Architecture (SFIA) offers a Master of Business Administration in Sustainability, which is part of their Distance Learning Program, includes 16 courses.

There is no deadline for completing the program, which is rare for online green MBA programs. Each course has assigned Professors that are available to answer your questions. Additionally, financial aid is available for USGBC members, Green Associates, LEED APs and other students with green credentials. If you are looking for a flexible program to meet a full-time work schedule, you might want to consider pursuing a degree similar to the one offered by SFIA. Learn more about the program here.

Anaheim University MBA in Sustainable Management


MBA in Sustainable Management
Tuition $20,875.00
Program Assistance: Online discussion forums with professors
Program Length: 18 months



The Anaheim University program is designed as an 18-month intensive program. Highly qualified faculty members conduct online discussion forums and are available to answer your questions. If you are looking to complete a degree in less than two years, you might want to consider pursuing a degree similar to the one offered by Anaheim University. Learn more about the program here.

As you can see, these two programs have some similarities in program assistance, but differ greatly in timeline and cost. Your best bet for choosing an online green MBA program would be to determine what you want from the program and to research options that meet those needs, since one online green MBA program will not be the “best” for everyone.

The Green Economy Post provides a detailed directory on many online Green MBA Programs. This should be a great tool to start your search.

Best of luck!

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Expert Advice and Comments

Hi, This looks also good, i

Thu, 09/01/2011 - 04:30 — Umar (not verified)

Hi,
This looks also good, i looked in to SIFA website about all info related to the course. Thanks a lot for giving such valuable information
Can you please answer to my question
If i want to pursue my career in green building what i best to do first
- Green MBA
- LEED GA and certification?

RubyG's picture

LEED Green Associate then Green MBA

Thu, 09/01/2011 - 11:55 — RubyG

If you're interested in pursuing a Green MBA through the Long Distance Program at SFIA I would highly recommend you become a Green Associate first. The reason for this is, SFIA offers generous (and I mean generous!) financial aid to students with green credentials. In addition, if needed, you can pay the remaining tuition balance in monthly installments.

These are your options:

Pay $200.00($50.00 registration fee + $150.00 exam fee) now to take the Green Associate exam and save +$2,000.00 later on Green MBA

OR

Pay $4,800.00 for Green MBA now and pay $200.00 for GA later. You decide.

rpfjr's picture

RE: LEED GA before MBA

Thu, 09/08/2011 - 15:41 — rpfjr

Hey Ruby, thanks for that info... I wasn't aware of that particularity with respect to the SFIA program. Great to know that people who are interested in the LEED Green Associate exam now have another incentive to go for it. Thanks again!

Rob is the founder of Green-Buildings.com.

Like product greenwashing,

Thu, 09/01/2011 - 12:02 — Curtis0000 (not verified)

Like product greenwashing, some such "Green MBA" programs lack substance. Check if the program and school has accreditation first.
The goal of accreditation is to ensure that education provided by institutions of higher education meets acceptable levels of quality.

RubyG's picture

Excellent Point on Accreditation

Thu, 09/01/2011 - 12:05 — RubyG

SFIA is undergoing accreditation, perhaps contacting the university and getting further information on when the accreditation will happen would be wise.

Green MBA

Thu, 09/01/2011 - 17:25 — davidmboynton (not verified)

I just graduated from the Antioch New England Green MBA. This MBA in Sustainability was incredible. They are now offering an online course. All the professors are practitioners and incredible educators. The design of the program truly integrates sustainability, ecology, and social entrepreneurship into the MBA. With classes like Earth Systems in Organizations the curriculum prepared me to work in the local food and eco-municipality movement. Others in my cohort are working all over the country in phenomenal jobs, pioneering the best practices for a sustainable future. There's also an opportunity to enroll in a sustainability study abroad program, we went to Sweden. Good luck in your search!

Global 100

Fri, 09/02/2011 - 17:39 — enerJesus (not verified)

Well, yes, but there should be a distinction made between 'best' MBAs that provide a green perspective, and fringe programs that use 'green' as their selling niche.

Accreditation shouldn't even be an issue - if it's not accredited then it's not a real MBA. I wouldn't give a thought to any program that hasn't been accredited for at least a decade, if not several.

The standard for green MBA's is the Aspen Institute's Global 100 http://www.beyondgreypinstripes.org. Most top business schools also offer an option to get a joint environment-related masters together with the MBA.

My advice would be to seek out a well-respected business school that offers a green emphasis and online options.

Green MBA through SFIA

Fri, 09/16/2011 - 14:20 — rmkmurthy (not verified)

Hi Ruby,

I require your valuable advice for me in undergoing GMBA of MSGB through SFIA. basically i am a civil engineer graduated in India.

Pls let me know, is it worth doing this course through SFIA. Which one should I opt ie Green MBA or Master of science in Green building.

Pls advice.

Regards

RubyG's picture

SFIA one of many Green Program

Fri, 09/30/2011 - 12:13 — RubyG

Unfortunately, I am not enrolled in SFIA Green Program therefore I cannot provide any further information on the program's academic excellence. I do recommend you contact the school's professors and get feedback from them or perhaps contact current students enrolled in the program, they should be a great source in answering any specific questions you may have.

Best of Luck,
Ruby

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