The Master of Science in Sustainable Management program, offered through UW Online Collaboratives, has recently revised SMGT 720, Applied Research and the Triple Bottom Line.
The course is required for students enrolled in the master’s program and is also available to students seeking a sustainability graduate certificate. In this Course Inside Look, we’ll examine SMGT 720 in more detail and address some frequently asked questions.
What was included in the SMGT 720 revision?
As part of the revision process, instructor Mark Starik worked to ensure that there was more content related to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) measurements and sustainable development goals, including the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Mark also has invited more sustainability industry professionals to speak to students in the course, giving them additional networking opportunities and insight into the industry. He conducted two interviews: one with Emmy Swift from American Family Insurance, who discussed her experience implementing ESG measures in her company; and a second with Kayla Riege, a Sustainable Management advisory board member, who discussed sustainability measures at Kohler Company.
“The best way to start out as a sustainability professional is to be excellent in your field,” Emmy advised students. “There are [sustainability] challenges that are presented to us across a multitude of fields, whether that be manufacturing, mining, financial services…what we need are experts, really great leaders, in each of these fields who wear the sustainability cap. We don’t need 100,000 jack-of-all trades sustainability professionals. We need really great folks that know what their business is.”
“Students should be prepared to really think about what the skills they bring to the table and then do the research on what types of roles are in the market and your skill sets apply to those,” Kayla says. “Understanding where there are opportunities in the business [is where] where you can be a pioneer in the industry.”
Other skills working professionals should have include the ability to influence without authority, build relationships, and communicate.
What do students learn in SMGT 720 and how can they apply it on the job?
Essentially, students in the course learn how to apply quantitative and qualitative research methods to sustainability issues–skills they can use on the job or in future roles. Triple bottom line theory expands conventional business success metrics to include an organization’s contributions to social well-being, environmental health, and a just economy. These bottom line categories are often referred to as the three “P’s”: people, planet, and prosperity.
“One of the assignments that we have is to think about using [the research methods] in your own organization, where you are right now,” Mark says. “Try to do some research there. And of course, for some people, that’s a great thing. Those who are really into sustainability practitioner stuff, I think they get something out of it for sure.”
What kind of assignments do students complete in SMGT 720?
The course is 100 percent online with no required log in times, giving students the flexibility to work at their own pace. However, students complete weekly assignments such as writing essays and engaging with others by posting responses to discussion questions for a grade. A number of recommended readings are also included in the course, one of which is the book, “The Triple Bottom Line.”
“Students who are really into sustainability and want to just be real strong sustainability practitioners, I think they get something out of [The Triple Bottom Line] and our other readings that are in this vein. Lots of the other readings are sustainability practitioner-oriented,” Mark adds.
How much time do students spend on SMGT 720?
Students should expect to spend about 10 hours per week on the course.
Do students have to take statistics?
“We don’t require them to do any statistics at all,” Mark notes. “We include a segment on statistics, but nothing like I had to do as a PhD. And that’s good. It’s a blended course.”
Who typically enrolls in SMGT 720?
Most students in the course are working toward the master’s degree, but a handful of students are seeking a graduate certificate.
How much do students interact?
The level of student engagement in the course is generally high, thanks to discussion groups.
“I think that generally there’s a lot of connectivity,” he says. “There are good conversations that you can have throughout. And of course, if anybody really needs to change groups, they can. Nobody has asked me to do that yet these several times I’ve taught the course.”
Are there any networking opportunities?
Students have a chance to connect with working professionals in the sustainability field as part of the final project and during guest speeches. They also have access to Mark, who has written several books on sustainability.
“[Students] who do interviews for their methodology of the end of course project, tend to develop more numerous and more in-depth relationships with professionals in the field than, say, the people who do surveys,” he says. “So I often encourage people that want more of a career connection to consider doing interviews instead of surveys or at least focus groups where you’re at least face to face. Just to get to know people a little better.”
What career resources are available to students in the course?
“I try to give people as much career advice as I think they want or need, since I’ve been doing this for a while,” Mark says. “And then I also encouraged those to join the Sustainable Business Council and/or the International Society of Sustainability Professionals. I like the career counseling part of it and I know quite a number of different entities out there who are looking for folks to interact with from a career standpoint, either hiring or partnering, or learning from in additional degrees or other programs.”
What kind of feedback have students provided about the course?
Many students stay in touch with Mark after completing the course.
“It’s always good to hear back a year or two later,” he says. “And sometimes they’ll ask me for even more advice or more suggestions. The fact that some students don’t forget and they appreciate and then they get back to you is very rewarding. It’s enough to keep me going. And I love the topic and have been teaching it for quite a while. I’ve written several books on it. That keeps me in the game, keeps me moving, I guess, in directions that I hope are helping somebody.”
What advice does the instructor have for students in the course?
Mark, who has taught sustainability at other universities, including courses on sustainability metrics, advises students to start their final project early.
“Start early and keep me informed,” he says. “And feel free to ask your classmates any time for advice and suggestions. Focus on what you already know, especially if you’re feeling overly challenged, and stay with either your own organization or organizations like yours, or at least local ones. Or think about local topics.”
What does Mark like most about teaching the course?
“The most significant satisfaction I get is just to see that students connect with the course, the topic, the processes with one another, perhaps, my interviewees, whatever. And then have something to show for it at the end that has some value that maybe they can keep using or keep developing or improving over time. I’d say that’s probably it: Quality student output.”
Mark also feels a sense of accomplishment when he sees a great final project come together – especially one that may be applicable to a student’s future career path.
“I think that the best part is to see a project just really well done, well thought out, started early enough, worked on continuously through the course, and then have some culmination of a product that is useful, that they might want to continue beyond our program.”
Are you interested in learning more about sustainability courses, graduate certificates or our degree programs at UW Online Collaboratives? Contact us at learn@uwex.wisconsin.edu to find out more how one of our programs can help you achieve your personal and professional goals.