MBA: Sustainable Environmental, Social, and Governance Management
Prepare for the Challenges Facing Modern Businesses and Society
The Sustainable Environmental, Social and Governance (SESG) Management specialization prepares students to tackle climate, environmental, and social justice challenges by connecting them directly with organizations for real-world problem-solving. In this forward-looking track, you’ll learn methods for addressing organizational needs in procurement, human rights, and financial and environmental reporting. Our graduates are ready to identify and implement solutions to issues faced by organizations in diverse sectors, society, and our economy, no matter their industry.
This interdisciplinary specialization is sponsored jointly by the Carlson School of Management, the Humphrey School of Public Affairs, and the Institute on the Environment.
Full-Time: On-campus
Part-Time: In-person, Online, HyFlex
Full-Time: 2 years
Part-Time: Average 3.5 years
Full-Time: Average 5 years
Part-Time: Average 6 years
Full-Time: Fall (September)
Part-Time: Fall (September); Spring (January); Summer (June)
Curriculum: Sustainable Environmental, Social, and Governance Management
Our well-rounded coursework ensures that you'll have a firm foundation in business and gain the environmental, social, and governance knowledge you need to make a difference and further your leadership career. Through a multidisciplinary curriculum that:
- Draws from sustainability science, organizational change scholarship, supply chain management, financial reporting, justice concepts, and stakeholder responsibility
- Emphasizes methods for addressing organizational needs in procurement, human rights, financial and environmental reporting
- Focuses on applying creativity, collaboration, and entrepreneurship/intrapreneurship to identify and implement solutions across diverse sectors
- Equips students with knowledge and skills to work on environmental, social, and governance issues facing Minnesota and the globe
It is recommended to complete at least 12 elective credits as outlined below for a specialization in Sustainable ESG Management. Please note not all courses listed are offered every semester. Use the One Stop Class Schedule to verify each semester's course offerings and the assigned professor.
Complete at least six credits from the following:
- FINA 6920: ESG for Investors and the Economy - 2 Credits
- PA 5771: Change Leadership for Environmental, Social and Governance Action - 3 Credits*
- PA 5772: Fundamentals of Sustainability Science - 1 Credit*
- SCO 6094: Responsible Supply Chain Management - 2 Credits
Complete the remaining credits from the following:
- GCC 5044: A Circularity Revolution: Working to Close the Loop on Global Issues - 3 Credits*
- MGMT 6043: Strategies for Sustainability - 2 Credits
- MGMT 6411: Corporate Responsibility - 2 Credits
- PA 5243: Environmental Justice in Urban Planning & Public Policy - 3 Credits*
- PA 5761: Environmental Systems Analysis at the Food-Energy-Water Nexus - 3 Credits*
Make an Impact with a Specialized MBA
This specialization will help students understand how to bring a sustainability lens to their core business skills, enabling them to think critically about sustainability implications in their work. Students will gain an understanding and empathy toward the social equity pieces of sustainability and how that impacts an array of industries.
This specialization prepares you to explore opportunities in the following industries and more:
- Green technologies
- Brown technologies
- Biodiversity
- Smart cities and infrastructure
- Supply chain value
- Financial product innovation
- Carbon as an asset
- Social enterprises
new jobs predicted between 2023 and 2033 for compliance officers1
total pay for sustainability analysts2
Customize Your MBA with Unique Specializations
Sustainable Environmental, Social, and Governance Management not for you? Explore our other specialization options:
Frequently Asked Questions
Explore some of our frequently asked MBA specialization questions below.
Apply to the MBA program using our online application. You will not apply to the specialization. Request information for the Full-Time or Part-Time MBA program, and we'll be happy to answer any outstanding questions.
Generally, specializations require students to complete a track of courses totaling 12-13 credits within a specified subject area. Course recommendations for each specialization are outlined in the documents on the specialization webpage.
Yes. Choosing a specialization is not required, and you may change your pathway during your program to pursue another.
A specialization indicates your mastery of and demonstrated interest in a specific area of business, as well as your commitment to that area. Being able to tailor your degree to your goals makes you uniquely qualified for the roles you plan to pursue after graduation.
Our graduates pursue a wide range of careers. Our graduates work in industries like green technologies, biodiversity, smart cities and infrastructure, and more.
Stay Connected
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Sources and Disclaimer
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Compliance Officer.
- Glassdoor. Sustainability Analyst Salaries.
*Please note: MBA students are eligible to petition to have a maximum of eight credits of courses from outside of the MBA program count towards their MBA electives requirement. These courses will require approval from the instructor and academic program offering the course for registration.