The field of environmental management is becoming increasingly popular. No longer reserved solely for environmentalists aiming to save the planet, businesses all over the world are becoming interested in it. One of the reasons for this is that consumers now look up to companies that demonstrate a commitment to sustainability and lowering their carbon footprint. Because of this, there is now an increased requirement for those who have both business management and administration skills, as well as an strategic understanding of environmental issues. Through an Environmental Management MBA, this is exactly what you are able to do. Jump to 9+ Environmental Online MBA Programs for 2017.
Why Earn an Environmental Management MBA?
By completing an Environmental Management MBA degree, you will gain an insight on both business administration and the environmental sciences. Aside from being a management degree, it also includes areas, such as sustainability, systems modeling, policy and law, and technology. Usually, schools will enable you to choose from various elective courses within the fields of both business management and environmental technology, which means you can create a degree that is specifically suitable to your personal interests and need. Once graduated you will be in high demand for your ability to deal with some of the global issues that the environment is currently facing, applying this knowledge by changing business practices, rendering them more effective and solid.
One of the reasons why this degree is becoming so popular is that there is usually a requirement to complete a capstone project in order to graduate. This means you will gain practical experience that is highly respected in the world of business. Additionally, your skills will be required by all types of businesses and organizations, across the private, public, and nonprofit sectors.
Your career prospects will instantly be improved, as will your earnings potential. You can, should you so choose, also continue on to study towards a doctoral program, combining environmental studies and business. These degrees are quite hard to find at the moment, mainly because so few have completed doctoral studies and are therefore able to teach the next generation of students. As such, you have the opportunity to change the entire direction of your career should you so choose.
With an Environmental Management MBA, you will have the skills and knowledge required to manage both entire businesses and serious environmental issues. You can expect to take on a career at the senior executive level. Perhaps most important for many is that this means you truly have an opportunity to change the world for the better.
Admission Requirements
Schools are allowed to set their own admission requirements. That said, there is an unspoken agreement that certain standards are expected of students who want to complete an MBA program, and these standards tend to be very competitive. Those set by Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies are representative of those requested by other schools, both nationally and internationally. Their requirements include:
• GMAT/GRE
• Personal statements
• TOEFL/IELTS for non-native English speakers
• Resume
• Three academic or professional letters of recommendation
• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited university
• Transcripts
Curriculum and Courses
As with the admission requirements, schools can set their own curriculum. However, in order to maintain scholastic and programmatic accreditation, the courses and curriculum must be of high quality and relevant to the field of study. This is why accreditation is so important if you intend to study towards an Environmental Management MBA. The curriculum set by the University of Pennsylvania Wharton – Initiative for Global Environmental Leadership is representative of what to expect from a high quality program. Their courses include:
• Environmental Sustainability and Value Creation
• Risk and Crisis Management
• Seminar in Health Care Cost Benefit and Cost Effectiveness Analysis
• Environmental Management: Law & Policy
• Risk Analysis and Environmental Management
• Energy Markets & Policy
• Cost Benefit Analysis
• Process Management in Manufacturing
• Completion of an advanced study project
Career Outcomes and Job Titles
Once you have completed an Environmental Management MBA, a range of career options at middle to senior executive levels will become available to you. Opportunities exist within government agencies, private companies, environmental organizations, nonprofit companies, and more. Generally speaking, you will have a role in which you will perform environmental research to improve business operations, helping them to implement green, sustainable practices. Some of the most common job titles include:
• Corporate green policy manager
• Environmental manager
• Environmental finance consultant
• Conservation investment fund manager
• Conservational NGO (nongovernmental organization) manager.
• Green organization entrepreneur/owner
Job Salary & Outlook
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts that all Environmental Scientists and Specialists earned an average annual salary of $67,460 per year as of May 2015. This is at bachelor’s degree level, and research has shown that holding an MBA can increase average earnings by around $15,000 per year, meaning you could earn a very interesting income with this particular degree. The BLS also predicts an 11% increase in demand for these professionals from 2014 to 2024, which is faster than the national average.
Scholarships and Grants
• Toigo MBA Fellowship, which is a scholarship for those who identify with a minority background and who intend to study towards a two-year accredited MBA program. The award is to the value of $2,500.
• The National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development Scholarship, which offers a variable amount of money towards full time students of business management at accredited universities or college. Applicants must be Alaska Native or American Indian and have a Tribal Enrollment document.
• Association of Latino Professionals (ALPFA) Annual Scholarship Program, which is a $2,000 to $10,000 scholarship for paid ALPFA members of Hispanic heritage, and who currently study full time at an accredited educational institution in this country.
• Penobscot Nation Fellowship, which is a $750 scholarship for members of the Penobscot Nation who are currently enrolled in studies. The Penobscot Nation Higher Education Committee determines the exact award amount.
• The CIRI Foundation General Scholarship, which is a $5,000 scholarship for those who are enrolled with Cook Inlet Regional, Inc., or who are direct lineal descendants of those who are enrolled. Students must attend an accredited educational establishment, and maintain a 2.5 GPA. The CIRI Foundation also offers mid term scholarships to the value of $2,500.
Additional Resources
• International Safety Quality Environment Management Association (ISQEM)
• Institute of Environmental Management & Assessment (IEMA)
• Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management
• Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM)
• Environmental Management Association
