Duquesne’s pioneering MBA Sustainability program has been ranked among the world’s top 10 environmental sustainability graduate business programs and among the top 50 social impact programs.
Net Impact, a nonprofit working for environmental and social change, recently released its 2014 Business as UNusual rankings, touting it as a guide to graduate programs for students by students.
The MBA Sustainability program was the only one in Pennsylvania included in the Top 10 Environmental Sustainability Programs, along with the University of California Santa Barbara, the University of Michigan, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Cornell and Yale universities. Duquesne was the only institution in the state listed in the top 50 Social Impact Programs, which included schools in France, Spain, Amsterdam, the United Kingdom, Canada and across the U.S.
The ratings were provided by more than 3,000 graduate business students in programs at nearly 100 schools worldwide with a campus chapter of Net Impact. Duquesne’s student-written profile noted that the MBA Sustainability coursework, consulting engagements with multi-national companies, global study trips to developed and emerging markets, plus a capstone practicum “test students’ skills and offer an unparalleled leadership experience.”
“To be held in such high esteem by our students is most gratifying,” said Dr. Dean McFarlin, dean of the Palumbo-Donahue School of Business. “Our students have said it best—it’s about the world-class experiences the MBA Sustainability program provides. These experiences—and the tremendous skills they build—reflect the hard work of an unbelievably committed and innovative faculty. They are the reason why this flagship program continues to earn global accolades year-after-year.”
Of the seven key subject areas rated, Duquesne students listed top program strengths in corporate responsibility and energy and clean tech. In the skill-building categories, they ranked strategy, leadership and innovation/creativity the highest.
Students considered extracurricular Idea Cafes as providing “a unique source of career support” at events such as brainstorming sessions for local nonprofits, lectures from corporate responsibility executives, and resume and cover-letter writing workshops.
“Net Impact’s ranking validates our commitment to excellence in professional education through action learning where we blur the lines between theory and practice,” said Dr. Robert Sroufe, the Murrin Chair of Global Competitiveness. “Our student teams take the lead in solving problems both in classrooms and out, working with our consulting partners when developing opportunities for resilient and sustainable business practices.”