Completing a master program in sustainability will prepare you for a number of different careers in the fields of conservation and environmental science. You may focus on natural resource management, environmental policy or climate change to create a more sustainable world. You can study management, business operations, politics, ecosystems or waste management. The options are numerous. If you have a wish to concentrate your career on sustainability, this article with provide you with a choice of top 10 master programs in this area held at schools across the world.
MSc in Sustainability Management, Kogod School of Business, American University, USA
If you are passionate about sustainability and have a desire to affect change, then this master program is a right choice for you. Graduates of this program are equipped with analytical skills to solve organizational problems in environmental context and produce ecologically and socially responsible solutions.
The program’s interdisciplinary coursework and curriculum combine business education with social and environmental science, international issues and public policy. Each year students participate in a dynamic international residency to learn about sustainability in different cultures and how to lead green projects abroad. The program can be completed either full-time or part-time. Full-time students can finish within one year and part-time students can finish in five semester. All applicants, including international applicants, are considered for merit scholarships during the application review process. For more information, please visit the program’s official website.
MAM in Sustainable Fashion Management, Sustainability Management School, Switzerland
This program provides in-depth knowledge about challenges and issues of sustainable fashion while integrating responsible leadership applied to the fashion industry. During the coursework, students learn about the art of sustainable fashion while focusing on critical thinking that enables them to be active players in the sustainable fashion industry.
Practice-oriented projects are guided by professionals, academics and consultants who use an innovative teaching methodologies such as video conferences with leading speakers in organizations and in-class company presentations. The program lasts one year full-time or two years part-time. Students can also choose take a second optional year to engage in an internship in a corporation or an international organization. There are also several different scholarship options available for graduate students.
Master in Global Change and Sustainability, University of Helsinki, Finland
In this master program students are trained to tackle global sustainability and environmental challenges through seminars, lectures, project learning, field and laboratory courses. Students can choose from two study trucks-the Environmental Change study track in natural sciences and the Global Sustainability study track in social sciences.
This program educates students in interdisciplinary thinking skills and provides them with the ability to study sustainability issues in their respective field of expertise and solve problems of environmental sustainability in collaboration with various social actors. The program offers three different degrees – Master of Social Sciences, Master of Science or Master of Science (Agriculture and Forestry). The degree is determined by the choice of student’s study track and the modules within the chosen track. Upon graduation, students can advance to doctoral studies and positions in environment-related research.
MSc in Governance of Sustainability, Leiden University, Netherlands
Leiden University offers master program in Governance of Sustainability, during which students obtain in-depth knowledge about the governance perspective and the natural sciences. Students learn how to improve and develop governance solutions to sustainability challenges such as loss of biodiversity, the transition to a circular economy and climate change.
The program takes two years to complete. During the first year students are encouraged to share their knowledge with peers in class group assignment, while during the second year students are challenged to deal with a more complex real-life situation while applying transdisciplinary skills and acquired knowledge. Throughout the entire program, students will work on group assignment based on real-life cases that resemble the future work environment.
MSc in Sustainability and Social Innovation, HEC Paris School of Management, France
HEC Paris School of Management offers the master program in Sustainability and Social Innovation, designed for students who aspire to become change-makers and build sustainable models in present economies. The program is taught by world class professors and all classes are designed to hone student’s analytical skills to become positive contributors to society.
Multidisciplinary seminars and conferences held throughout the program provide students with an opportunity to interact with entrepreneurs and experts who are shaping sustainable businesses and inclusive economies. If you are interested in conducting your own research, launching a start-up, or working for a big company, then this master program is the right choice for you.
MPS in Urban Sustainability and Resilience, University of Miami, USA
Offered jointly by the College of Arts and Sciences’ Department of Geography and Regional Studies and the School of Architecture of the University of Miami, the master program in Urban Sustainability and Resilience is an interdisciplinary 36 credit program with curriculum that leverages skills and knowledge of students to confront the issues of climate change.
The program is intended and designed for students coming from diverse backgrounds, such as architecture, environmental sciences, social sciences, management, and those who are already working in ‘’green careers’’. During the course all students are required to choose between a track in sustainability and a track in resilience. All students will take one track course and three track electives. Students are also required to undertake an internship project, design studio, or project studio to complete the program.
Master in Sustainable Design, School of Sustainability, Italy
Master in Sustainable Design offered by the School of Sustainability located in Bologna, Italy, is a ten months full-time comprehensive program based on a practice-based approach on sustainable design and environmental sustainability.
The program is conducted in English language and it is supported by industry site visits, project study trips, client and community meetings. Students can choose from four project tracks- Post Carbon Architecture, Social Business, The Right to Quality Shelter and Design of Products and Systems for the Circular Economy. Applicants are also eligible to receive scholarships based on merit.
MSc in Material Science and Sustainability Methods, Hochschule Bonn-Rhein-Sieg, Germany
This master program covers the fields of material science and technical sustainability. During the learning process, students acquire methodological skills in the areas of materials development, life cycle assessment, conservation of resources and renewables, and processing and analysis.
The program is conducted 50% in German and 50% in English. Therefore, applicants who have not graduated from a German-speaking university are required to provide proof of sufficient German language skills. Students who complete this program become experts for producing companies in all industrial sectors, including automotive, engineering, aerospace, and electrical and packaging industry, as well as research institutes dealing with the fields of materials development, processing and testing.
MSc in Environmental and Sustainability Studies, College of Charleston, USA
This master program prepares students to face challenges during their careers in the environmental field. Throughout the program students are focused on the development and implementation of public policy response to environmental issues, including social, political and economic factors.
Through core and elective course curriculum, the program provides training that addresses challenges in coastal and wetlands management, environmental planning, and environmental hazards. The program is housed by six departments at the College of Charleston-Biology, Geology and Environmental Geosciences, Mathematics, Physics and Astronomy, Political Science, and Economics. Graduates of this program pursue careers in a variety of field while applying skills they acquired in both science and policy.
Master in Pedagogy and Teaching for Sustainability, University of Eastern Finland, Finland
This two years multidisciplinary program focuses on pedagogical approaches to promote sustainability through education. It tackles global and present issues sustainability and it is taught from the perspective of teaching and pedagogy.
During this course, students learn how to apply their skills and knowledge in implementing, planning, and assessing learning activities in primary and secondary schools. The program is divided into several studies-orientation studies, methodological studies, subject studies, and other studied. The curriculum has a global focus and students have an opportunity to learn about sustainability with a pedagogical viewpoint on ecological, cultural and social aspects.
