Masters in Sustainable Business

The CU Denver Master of Science in Sustainable Business (MS SUSB) program offers unparalleled flexibility and depth, with seven certificate options, interdisciplinary courses, and a wide selection of 8-week online classes. Through connections with the Sustainable Business Advisory Council and industry partners, you’ll benefit from networking opportunities, events, and guest speakers who provide real-world insights into sustainability practices.

In the MS SUSB program, you’ll gain expertise in essential topics such as Sustainable Business Accounting, Managing for Sustainability, Sustainable Supply Chains and Circularity, and Impact Investing. The program allows you to earn certificates along the way, including the foundational Foundations of Sustainable Business certificate. Customize your degree with additional certificates in Environmental Sustainability, Sustainable Energy, Risk Management and Resilience, Social Enterprise, Global Supply Chain Management, Project Management, or, for on-campus students, Urban Sustainability and Infrastructure.

With a strong focus on sustainability leadership, this degree prepares you to take on significant roles within your organization, entrepreneurial ventures, or other professional settings, driving innovation and successful outcomes in the sustainability sector.

Unlike a traditional MBA, which emphasizes a broad range of business functions, the MS in Sustainable Business digs deeper into the sustainable, environmental, and social aspects of running a business. The program offers an interdisciplinary and cross-college approach, integrating critical fields like data analytics and global supply chain management. This structure ensures you graduate with both a broad understanding and targeted expertise, empowering you to excel in roles requiring advanced sustainability knowledge, interdisciplinary problem-solving, and innovative leadership.

Graduates of the CU Denver Master’s programs also benefit from lifelong access to the CU Denver Business Career Connections team. With over a decade of recruiting and advising experience and connections to 300+ business partners, the Career Center provides exclusive networking opportunities and tailored career support. Services include:

• Career workshops: Enhance your resume, LinkedIn profile, and job search strategies.
• Individual appointments: Receive personalized career guidance, resume reviews, and mock interviews.
• Career events: Develop networking skills and connect with hiring managers from leading companies.
• Job announcements: Access tailored job and internship opportunities specific to sustainability, project management, and related fields.

The CU Denver MS in Sustainable Business is designed for professionals ready to lead in the critical field of sustainability, offering the skills, expertise, and connections to drive global impact and innovation.

The Master of Science in Sustainable Business curriculum consists of one required 15-credit certificate in Foundations of Sustainable Business (15 credits) and two certificates of 9 credits each (18 credits) that complete the elective requirements for a total of 33 credit hours.

Foundations of Sustainable Business Certificate (15 hours)

This certificate introduces the foundational knowledge and concepts for success in any sustainable business career. You’ll be able to compare and contrast competing conceptualizations of sustainable business models, redesign supply chains and products for waste reduction and circularity, set and achieve net-zero carbon targets, apply and report using various sustainability disclosure standards, manage and lead innovative sustainability initiatives and projects, and be aware of various impact investment strategies. Offered online only. Course topics include:

Certificates (18 hours)

Based upon their interests, students choose two certificates, 9 credit hours each, from an offering of six certificates to complete the remaining 18 credit hours of electives in the MS SUSB degree.

We also offer this degree entirely online. The required Foundations of Sustainable Business Certificate for the MS in Sustainability degree is offered entirely online. However, not all elective certificates can be completed entirely online. In short, the following Certificates are possible to be completed entirely online.

Tuition

The cost of tuition for the MS in Sustainable Business degree is different for in-state and out-of-state students.

Residents of western states may qualify for in-state tuition. The Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) requires students to maintain current residency of WRGP state until degree completion.

Scholarships

Scholarships are available for students. As a current student, you can apply for scholarships every semester. Some awards are based on program and course enrollment.

Application Process

Applicants are required to submit all application materials. Interviews are not a part of the admission process. To receive priority admission, we must have received your online application and all other required materials including transcripts and GMAT/GRE (if required by program) by the deadline.

You can check your admission status online through the account you created for the online application. You will receive a final decision by email within two to three weeks from the submission of all materials.

Admission Requirements

• Applicants must have completed an undergraduate program at an accredited United States college or its equivalent in another country.
• No work experience or formal business education is required for admission, however, you may have to provide a GMAT or GRE score if you do not have enough work experience, see below.

The GMAT/GRE is not required for this program

The MS in Sustainable Business program does not require GMAT or GRE scores for their degree program as part of the graduate admissions requirements. The requirements are a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or better from a US-accredited four-year undergraduate institution or the successful completion of a graduate degree and five or more years of full-time professional work experience.

However, if you received your bachelor’s degree with a grade point average of less than 3.25 or have less than 5 years of professional work experience, you will be asked to submit a statement that outlines other indicators of exceptional motivation, such as solid upper-division performance, GMAT or GRE scores, and other relevant professional experience. The MS in Sustainable Business admissions committee may require a minimum GMAT or GRE score for students that do not automatically qualify by GPA and prior work.

How Decisions Are Made

The admissions committee considers each candidate’s entire record of achievement. This is demonstrated through:

No work experience or formal business education is required for admission. However, professional experience strengthens your application. Candidates with less work experience can show potential through academic and experiential success.

For any questions, please contact our admissions team at bschool.admissions@ucdenver.edu or call 303-315-8200.