Sustainability Leadership, MSL
Business, Communications, Environment, Global, Governance, Green, Management, Organizations, Society, Strategy, Sustainable, Transformation, government, nonprofit, professional
Are you interested in driving high-impact, transformative sustainability results for your career, company, organization, government agency or community? Learn from sustainability experts about organizational leadership through the lens of sustainability.
A sustainable future requires leaders who are able to integrate sustainability into existing institutions and new enterprises. A particular knowledge base and skill set is required to drive this kind of transformational change. Professionals with tools and skills learned in sustainability leadership, as opposed to other degree programs, are in a prime position to establish sustainability practices in any type of organization.
The MSL program prepares professionals to advance social, economic and environmental responsibility. It equips graduates to drive high-impact sustainability results in organizations and communities. The program is designed and delivered by people who have worked in and with companies making sustainability transitions and continue to be on the forefront of global sustainability leadership. Students can complete the program in one to three years.
The curriculum includes four synergistic thematic areas:
- communications and change management
- global context of sustainability
- leadership for sustainability
- sustainability and strategy
The program also includes opportunities for students to include electives that are related to their specific area of interest. Elective courses are offered that focus on organizational sustainability assessment, cities, climate, food systems and other thematic areas. Students also may choose to go on an approved study abroad trip to fulfill elective credits.
- College/school:
College of Global Futures
- Location: Online
30 credit hours including the required applied project course (EMS 593)
Required Core (21 credit hours) Electives (6 credit hours) Culminating Experience (3 credit hours) Additional Curriculum Information
EMS 522 Mastering the Global Sustainability Context (3)
EMS 523 Strategic Sustainability and Leadership (3)
EMS 524 Sustainability Storytelling and Communications (3)
EMS 525 Essentials for Transformative Leadership in Sustainability (3)
EMS 589 MSL Capstone Project Preparation (3)
SOS 508 Pathways to Sustainability (3)
SOS 509 Leading Sustainability Transitions (3)
EMS 593 Applied Project (3)
Elective courses must be at the 500 level or above.
Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the College of Global Futures.
Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in any field from a regionally accredited institution. They should also have a minimum of three years of professional or organizational experience or the equivalent.
Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program, or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program. Applicants who have a GPA less than 3.00 may submit a statement describing contributing circumstances and reference personal experience to be considered for admission.
All applicants must submit:
- graduate admission application and application fee
- official transcripts
- statement of intent
- resume or curriculum vitae
- proof of English proficiency
Additional Application Information
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency.
ASU offers this program in an online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. Applicants may view the program’s ASU Online page for program descriptions and to request more information.
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | Online | 08/01 | Final |
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | Online | 12/15 | Final |
Study abroad is encouraged for graduate students. Nearly all of the College of Global Futures faculty-directed programs offer graduate credit. In addition, the Global Education Office offers more than 50 program opportunities, with programs on every continent.
Faculty-directed programs tend to be the best fit for graduate students; taking courses with ASU professors over the summer or during academic breaks offers students close mentorship and professional network growth in many fields of study while they earn ASU credit. Exchange program participation is also possible with careful planning.
Students can find programs specific to their interests on the College of Global Futures Study Abroad webpage, and additional opportunities and information on the ASU Global Education Office website. These sites also include additional information about applying for funding to support global travel.
Graduate students are also encouraged to apply for funding for international research, study and professional development through ASU's Lorraine W. Frank Office of National Scholarships Advisement.
Graduates of this program advance their organizational leadership skills in a variety of sectors, including business, technology, science, education and government. According to the School of Sustainability's 2022 alumni employment survey, 96% of master's degree program respondents are either employed or pursuing continuing education. Of those employed, 75% of respondents have jobs directly related to sustainability.
Typical career paths include:
- business organization manager
- chief executive officer
- chief sustainability officer
- consultant
- director of strategic initiatives
- sustainability analyst
- sustainability coordinator
- sustainability director
- sustainability manager
School of Sustainability
|
WCPH 3rd floor
onlineMSL@asu.edu
480-727-6963
Admission deadlines
3 year programs
These programs allow students to fast-track their studies after admission and earn a bachelor's degree in three years or fewer while participating in the same high-quality educational experience of a 4-year option. Students should talk to their academic advisor to get started.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Acceptance to the graduate program requires a separate application. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master’s during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
