Master's Degree Programme in Sustainability Management (Business): 26SusManL

Description

The Master's Degree Programme in Sustainability Management is designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to address the complex sustainability challenges of the modern world. The Sustainability Management program focuses on developing experts who can implement sustainable practices across various sectors. The curriculum is structured to provide a comprehensive understanding of sustainability principles, environmental management, business leadership and the integration of sustainable technologies.

Demand for the Sustainability Management professionals

Climate change, the loss of biodiversity, and the over-consumption of raw materials demand a new breed of professionals. These individuals must possess an awareness of planetary boundaries and a solution-centric, change-agent mindset to lead the transition towards a more sustainable future.

Key policy documents for sustainability development include the UN's 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the European Green Deal, which aims to transform the EU into the first climate-neutral continent by 2050.

Achieving these goals requires thorough managerial, professional, and strategic thinking about how to design products, processes, and services. For more radical change to occur, a paradigm shift is needed in the way systems are designed. Historically, the focus of sustainability debate and practice has been significantly on technology, resource efficiency, and environmental management. Development has often occurred in organizational silos rather than through multidisciplinary networks and co-creation.

However, sustainability as a new economic model and way of working increasingly calls for expertise in leadership and change management. Effective leaders are essential to drive the adoption of sustainable practices, inspire teams, and navigate the complexities of implementing sustainability initiatives. Additionally, skills in service management, customer experience, added value approaches, logistics, experimentation culture, iteration, and future foresight are crucial. These elements are essential for sustainability to "take off," grow, and prosper.

The graduates have specialized knowledge of the sustainability management theories, principles, and practices. They can apply up-to-date knowledge of sustainability management into their work and professional development.

The graduates are competent to collaborate and co create in multidisciplinary and intercultural teams. They can communicate responsibly and effectively both in professional and academic environment and with a wider audience and in networks. The graduates understand the role of leadership and communication when pursuing sustainability.

The graduates can apply the concepts of academic research in their own Master’s thesis and choose and apply the suitable research approach and methods.

Professional status

The degree complies with the criteria set by the Finnish national degree system as well as with the European Qualifications Framework (Level 7) for degrees and competences. The degree gives a qualification for a public appointment where a Master's degree is required.

Structure of studies

This Master's degree program is 90 credits in extent and it takes 1,5 - 2 years to complete. The studies are mainly on-line courses including 1-2 intensive study weeks in Tampere, Finland (4 days per week) or online. It is possible to study on this Master's program while working full-time.

The studies include 90 ECTS credits of which 20 is free-choice studies and Master´s thesis 30 ECTS credits.

Objectives

The graduates know the key factors for profitable business. They can utilize agile and lean development methodologies and design thinking for development in sustainable business.

Curriculum development and working life cooperation

The development of Sustainability management curriculum is responding to the call of the requirements of the industry and legislation. The curriculum has been developed together with the industry and the authorities.