The push for sustainable development gained substantial attention in 2015 when the published “Transforming Our World: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development,” which listed seventeen goals for nations around the world to accomplish by 2030. The UN Nation Members unanimously agreed to the 15-year goal and signed up for the challenge. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, President of Uganda, was “the dawn of a new era towards eradicating poverty, transforming economies and protecting the planet.”

An Emphasis on Corporate Social Responsibility

The UN’s call for sustainable development created a need for sustainability-minded leaders. Leadership decisions are an essential factor in sustainable development. The UN’s challenge, along with demands from stakeholders, led to numerous business leaders deciding to implement corporate social responsibility (CSR) into their decision-making and companies’ daily practices.

Governments oversee businesses through various regulations, such as environmental policies addressing air pollution, water use and waste management, to name a few. However, beyond meeting minimum regulation standards, there are no laws requiring businesses to adopt sustainability practices. Therefore, when we observe businesses promoting their sustainability efforts, those businesses are following self-imposed sustainability goals.

Typically, businesses share their CSR efforts and outcomes with stakeholders through annual reports. Other ways businesses promote their CSR accomplishments are through various mediums, such as emails, newsletters, websites and company blogs. But knowing CSR is a self-reporting business model meant to help, , “a company be socially accountable to itself, its stakeholders, and the public” you might wonder, how do we know a business is meeting standard sustainability objectives?

is a nonprofit organization encouraging and supporting businesses in CSR practices. It’s best known for certifying businesses as B Corporations, known by their nickname as B Corps. B Corps are broad and diverse, found across numerous industries. (Famous brands include Patagonia, TOMS, Athleta, Ben & Jerry’s and Warby Parker. In 2016, ������Ƶ also became a Certified B Corp.) Businesses that become certified through B Lab have aligned their organizational goals with the UNs’ global agenda for sustainable development, pledging themselves to be measured against standards that are more objective than just self-reported metrics.

Preparing for Jobs in Sustainability

The rising focus on sustainability has created a need for business professionals with knowledge in this area, along with roles that focus on improving a company’s sustainability efforts. Those who wish to pursue jobs and careers in this area will need sustainability education.

The purpose of sustainability education is to increase students’ sustainability literacy. According to higher education professionals , sustainability literacy is “having the understanding, skills, attitudes and attributes to take informed action for the benefit of oneself and others, now and into a long-term future.”

The colleges and universities who have a pulse on industry trends are incorporating sustainability education into their curriculum, from revising courses to include topics of sustainability to new courses and programs with sustainability concentrations.

At ACE, for example, students can specialize their business degree in sustainability through a dedicated focus of study. This coursework prepares students to lead their communities and organizations in addressing sustainability issues and is available to students in any business program, whether it’s the MBA, M.S. in Organizational Leadership or M.Ed. in Educational Business Administration. Students learn:

• How various business structures incorporate sustainability, examining traditional corporations, benefit corporations, certified B Corps, nonprofit organizations and public institutions.
• The importance of collaboration and partnership and explore how organizations and stakeholders work together to create collective impact in their communities.
• About global challenges across the triple bottom line, a popular sustainability framework that helps businesses identify best practices and needed improvements beyond just a financial bottom line to include environmental and social implications.

Not only is this knowledge pivotal for launching a career within sustainability, but students are able to practice skills directly applicable to their professional life by demonstrate their learning through a variety of practical methods, such as traditional scholarly writing, recording podcasts and developing storytelling presentations.

There are less than six years to go before the world reaches the end of the UN’s 15-year challenge. With sustainability issues arising every day, the need for sustainability-minded leaders is greater than ever. Pursuing sustainability education is a great way to enter a growing business sector and make a difference with your business career.

Accelerate a career in sustainability with one of ������Ƶ’s fully online business programs, where you can specialize your degree in sustainability while also learning the general skills you need to be a successful business professional.

While there are some similarities between the MBA and the M.S. in Organizational Leadership (MSOL), there are definite distinctions to consider when deciding which best fits your personal and professional goals.

Who is the MBA for?

An MBA is a program designed for individuals to develop expertise in business and prepare for management and leadership positions. Earning this degree would allow you to advance your career in almost any field or discipline, as the managerial and leadership skills you’ll learn are a crucial part of successfully leading any team or project. In addition to soft skills, an MBA will include technical coursework that covers areas such as finance and economics. Thus, this degree might fit you best if you are looking to start a business, run a business or lead an enterprise.

Who is the M.S. in Organizational Leadership for?

An MSOL degree draws on the understanding of social dynamics that influence how individuals and groups work with each other in a business environment. The role of an organization’s leader is to inspire employee commitment through developing a culture and business structure. This program prepares you to do that by diving into how you empower workplace communities, become a global business leader and operationalize various dynamics in a business setting to maximize an organization’s workforce. Therefore, this is probably a better fit if you want to prepare for management and leadership positions.

Business Degrees Built for the Future of Business

While many higher education institutions offer business degrees, the MBA and MSOL at ������Ƶ are designed to help graduates navigate the future of business, not just learn about the strategies of the past.

The MBA incorporates emerging consumer trends within its coursework, including a focus on ways that businesses can make a positive impact within social justice, sustainability and more. And just as there’s more importance placed on diversity and sustainable workplace cultures in today’s job market, the MSOL at ACE includes a focus on leading diverse teams and organizations, becoming a positive change agent, and creating innovative organizational cultures and continuous improvement. It also covers how to manage teams who work in various settings, including virtual and remote.

Many companies are no longer just simply reviewing profitability as an indicator of organizational performance. Social impact has become an integral part of a business operation to ensure corporate social responsibility. Both the MBA and MSOL equip students to be leaders in that area by covering LLCs, C-Corps and other types of businesses. They also demonstrate how to run and/or lead a Benefit Corporation (B Corp), a business that meets the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance, public transparency and legal accountability to balance profit and purpose. Each of the programs’ objectives, description and courses are purposefully broad to allow for an interdisciplinary approach for any industry.   

When it comes to choosing a business program, let your future goals be your guide to ensure that what you’ll learn will directly apply to your career. Choose a program that will prepare you to face the future of your industry.

Learn more about ������Ƶ’s fully online MBA and M.S. in Organizational Leadership. We offer multiple degree pathways that allow you to pursue both degrees at once, saving you time and money. Additionally, because our courses are easily transferrable between the two programs, you can switch programs after starting if it better aligns with your needs.

Dominick Martin is a U.S. Army and National Guard veteran who graduated with a B.S. in Business Applied Management and Leadership (now named B.S. in Business Administration and Leadership) in 2023. He is currently pursuing an M.S. in Organizational Leadership. We were excited to learn more about his career and future goals. 

ACE: You graduated with your bachelor’s degree. What inspired you to return to ACE to complete the M.S. in Organizational Leadership? 

Dominick Martin (DM): Returning to ACE was inspired by the supportive environment and exceptional mentorship I received during my bachelor’s program. This fueled my passion for leadership and personal growth. ACE’s commitment to academic excellence and professional development motivated me to further my education in organizational leadership. I also learned a lot about B Corporations and was delighted to discover that ACE is one of them. 

ACE: We understand that you’re a military veteran. Thank you for serving! What branch did you serve in and did your military experience influence your decision to choose ACE? 

DM: I served in the U.S. Army and National Guard. My military experience influenced my decision to choose ACE because they understand the unique needs of veterans. Their dedication to providing a supportive and flexible learning environment was crucial for me as a returning student and veteran. After about a year of searching and considering my needs and financial situation, I found that ACE was my ideal choice. It stood out as the best solution by far. 

ACE: How has your education at ACE impacted your career so far? 

DM: My education at ACE has significantly impacted my career by providing me with practical, relevant skills that have enhanced my leadership abilities and decision-making in the professional world. The flexible and tailored approach to learning at ACE has allowed me to easily integrate my personal life, work and school schedule.  

ACE: Thinking about your time as an ACE student, what about your experience have you found most helpful to your academic success? 

DM: I value structure, and ACE offers a systematic approach to every course that’s easy to follow. There are no surprises through having clear expectations of deadlines and requirements. The personalized support and mentorship from ACE teachers have been crucial to my academic success, along with the accessibility of resources, dedicated faculty and a strong sense of community. 

ACE: What advice would you give to current or future students? 

DM: To future students, ACE is the number one choice for veterans and service members, whether full-time or part-time. Take it from me, as I did the legwork to figure it out. To current students, I’ll quote one of my professors, “If degrees were easy, everyone would have one.” I would advise staying engaged with your professors and peers, leveraging all available resources and embracing every opportunity for growth and learning. 

Being an ������Ƶ alumni has its perks. When you return as an alumni for another program, you can save 5% off your tuition with the Alumni Continuing Education Grant.��