Georgetown McDonough MBA students have a unique opportunity to earn a Certificate in Sustainable Business. The purpose of the certificate is to equip students with knowledge and practical experience to lead and manage successful businesses with a deep understanding of the complex social, economic, and environmental challenges of the 21st century.
Companies competing in today’s socio-economic context increasingly face new and urgent environmental and societal challenges and opportunities that materially affect their operations and business models. For instance, the global nature of supply chains, including presence in some countries with weak regulation and institutions, requires firms to undertake new approaches to supplier management in order to protect worker safety and rights, as well as safeguard their reputations. Geographical disparities in water, climate, and energy risks are inducing firms to redesign their supply chains and operations. Also, employees are engaged in the social and environmental policies and practices of their firms, as are community members and other stakeholders with vested interests in business operations.
For companies to thrive in the current socio-economic context, executives are aware of the need to anticipate and respond to environmental and social sustainability concerns, while more proactive leaders will incorporate sustainability approaches into their competitive strategies to create value.
Previously, environmental, social, and governance (ESG) concerns were largely relegated to the spheres of corporate philanthropy or corporate social responsibility and were viewed as part of compliance or community relations concerns, peripheral to the core business. Today, companies understand the need to incorporate sustainability approaches into all business activities and functions, including supply chains, product design and innovation, strategy, finance, and investor relations, operations, and human resources. Accordingly, companies are developing integrated ESG approaches in response to changing consumer demand, shifting employee interests, increased volatility in supply chains, and greater exposure to public scrutiny in an age of greater transparency facilitated by digital networks and other factors.
Whether students go on to lead a Fortune 500 company, launch a startup, or pursue careers that span all three sectors — nonprofit, public, and private — students who earn the MBA Certificate in Sustainable Business will be prepared to address these challenges and identify opportunities to create value by making their businesses and industries more sustainable.
Questions about the certificate? Contact Vishal Agrawal, academic director, at Vishal.Agrawal@georgetown.edu. For questions related to your course planning during the program, refer to MyHoyaMBA.
Coursework
Students who elect to enroll in the certificate program will take a 10.5-credit sequence (7.5 overlapping MBA elective credits and 3 overlapping MBA core credits) of integrated MBA core and elective courses to build an understanding of challenges and opportunities related to sustainable business and how to address them. Upon graduation from the MBA Program, students will receive a notation on their official university transcript along with a certificate of completion.
Core Requirements: 3 overlapping core credits
- Structure of Global Industries (BADM 5500, 3 credits): This is the first course in the MBA program for all students, offered in an intensive format using multiple instructors, teams, and projects, and an immediate immersion into international business. The first objective of the course is to develop skills in critical thinking and business decision-making. This entails learning how to analyze problems with the use of theory and evidence, synthesize findings into recommendations, and communicate persuasively and effectively. The second objective is to learn the foundations of international business and economics that are necessary for managerial success and to incorporate ethical considerations into business decisions. The third objective is to learn how to function effectively in teams and make persuasive professional presentations.
The core discipline and intellectual framework for the course is international economics enriched by global strategy. Ethical considerations are introduced formally and experientially. Team work and presentation skills are learned in the context of the projects.
Elective Requirements: 3 elective credits
- Environmentally Sustainable Operations and Business Models (OPAN 6571, 1.5 credits): This course focuses on a business-oriented perspective by focusing on voluntary or economically-motivated sustainability considerations and initiatives. Among the questions addressed include:
- How do you analyze product and process performance through life-cycle thinking and assess different types of sustainability initiatives?
- How do product design, operations, and supply chains have environmental consequences that can enhance or hurt a firm’s economic performance?
- How can managers create value by making their operations and supply chains more environmentally sustainable?
- What are some new business models that utilize product and process innovation to enhance environmental and economic performance?
The course covers various tools and frameworks that can aid managerial decision making in this context, and introduces a broad range of environmental sustainability issues, such as climate change, supply chain sustainability, circular economy, waste, energy, and water.
- Business of Sustainable Energy and Technology (OPAN 6572, 1.5 credits): Companies are actively seeking out innovative ways to generate economic value from sustainable energy sources and technologies. Several startups and established companies are adopting innovative business models to elevate their profits while also increasing the adoption of new technologies, such as rooftop solar panels and electric vehicles. Motivated by the ambitious goal of meeting their energy need entirely from renewable sources, such as wind and solar energy, large corporations are sourcing unprecedented levels of renewable energy. With a vision to increase reliable energy access in the developing world, several startups are implementing innovative solutions, including smart grids. This course analyzes these exciting developments in sustainable energy and technology. The primary objective of the course is to equip students with the tools and frameworks to assess economic and environmental viability of innovative business models for sustainable energy and technology.
The course focuses on the current challenges and the opportunities associated with the transformation to a sustainable energy future.
Elective Choice: 4.5 elective credits
- Impact Investing (MGMT 6527)
- Corporate Social Responsibility (STRT 6560, 1.5 credits)
- Sustainable Investing (FINC 6583, 1.5 credits)
- Social Entrepreneurship (MGMT 6577)
- Understanding Social Innovation (MGMT 6561)
- Design Thinking & Service Consulting (MGMT 6585)
- Social Marketing for Global Good (MARK 6576)
- Project Finance (FINC 6535)
- Leading Inclusive Workplaces (BADM 6054)
- Leading Inclusive Workplaces (BADM 6054)
- Food, Water, and the World (BADM 6019)
*Off-list courses including non-MBA courses with approval of the certificate academic director. Complete the off-list course request form to request consideration for courses not on the approved list be counted towards the certificate.
**This list of MBA electives serves as a guide. It is subject to change and does not represent a guarantee that specific courses will be offered in specific academic years.
Participation
The certificate program is designed for and limited to enrolled McDonough MBA students. Students who are interested in pursuing the certificate are responsible for registering for certificate electives during each MBA registration period on a first-come, first-serve basis.
The Program Office will provide full details about the registration process. Participants will be able to track their progress toward completion of the certificate through the MyDegree audit ‘what-if’ feature in GU Experience. Completing certificates requires in-person class attendance and careful course planning. Flex Online students are not eligible to complete a certificate unless they are able to enroll in and attend classes in Washington, D.C. If you have questions, please contact the MBA Program Office.