Sustainable Business Fellows

Georgetown undergraduates have a unique opportunity to join the Sustainable Business Fellows program, which equips 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 socioeconomic context increasingly face new and urgent environmental and societal challenges and opportunities that materially affect their operations and business models. For companies to thrive in this context, executives need to anticipate and respond to environmental and social sustainability concerns, as well as  incorporate sustainability approaches into their competitive strategies to create value.

Today, companies are incorporating 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 environmental, social, and governance (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.

Students who complete the Georgetown Sustainable Business Fellows program will be prepared to address these challenges and identify opportunities to create value by making their businesses and industries more sustainable. 

Admissions

The Sustainable Business Fellows program is designed for and limited to undergraduate students. The application period is now open through Wednesday, September 25, 2024.

Course Requirements

Students in the program will take a nine-credit sequence of courses to build an understanding of challenges and opportunities related to sustainable business and how to address them. Please review the Sustainable Business Fellows Guide for more information and Frequently Asked Questions.

Core Requirements*

• Environmentally Sustainable Operations and Business Models (OPAN 3271, formerly OPIM 271)

Elective Requirements**: must complete only 6 credits from the following list

• Global Supply Chain Management (OPAN 3280, formerly OPIM 262)
• Accounting & Management Strategy (ACCT 3103) (Spring 2022 and forward)
• ESG Investing (FINC 3263) (Fall 2022 and forward)
• Moral Foundations of a Market Society (STRT 3255)
• ESG Investment (GBUS 4444)
• Energy Finance, Policy & Markets (STIA 3182)
• Environmental Economics (ECON 2675 or 4075)
• Climate Science and Policy (STIA 4961)
• Environmental Communication (ENST 2290)
• Gender and Sustainability (WGST 3350)

* This list of courses serves as a guide. It is subject to change and does not represent a guarantee that specific courses will be offered in specific academic terms or entry to these courses. It is suggested that you work with your program advisors to plan accordingly.  

** Off-list substitutes for the elective requirements can be approved by the academic director in advance. To inquire whether a course can serve as a substitute for the elective requirements, please contact the academic director for approval before taking the course.

Capstone Requirements

In addition to the nine-credit course sequence, all fellows will be required to complete a defining capstone project to build upon their experience as a Sustainable Business Fellow. This capstone will allow fellows to dive deeper into their chosen interest area within the sustainable business field. In particular, the capstone requirement can be completed by pursuing one of the following options:

• Independent research project or tutorial with a faculty member (at least one credit) 
• Senior thesis or equivalent research deliverable (e.g., an internship deliverable/project) 

All capstone proposals must be approved in advance by the academic director.

Please submit your Capstone Proposal when you have completed or are in progress of completing coursework.