Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Management
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Learn sustainability skills that have the power to transform organizations. 100% Online.
The online Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Management prepares students for sustainability careers by teaching business and organizational topics through a sustainability lens: marketing and communications, financial and managerial accounting, supply chain management, information systems, economics, and organizational behavior. The curriculum further develops students’ knowledge of scientific and ecological concepts that aid in understanding and problem solving.
In addition to sustainability in business, you’ll explore topics, such as:
- environmental science and policy,
- agricultural systems,
- triple bottom line accounting,
- ecology and biodiversity,
- renewable energy,
- natural resource management,
- corporate social responsibility (CSR),
- climate change.
The potential for positive change exists in every industry—agriculture, construction, design, healthcare, investing and finance, manufacturing, public administration, supply chain, recreation and travel, retail, waste management, and more. Students with a wide range of work experience, life experience, and education have found success as graduates of the program.
SMGT 220 Systems Thinking has taught me about the interconnectedness of complex systems. Now, I better understand why and how challenges arise and how we can create fundamental changes.”—Amy, Bachelor of Science student
Courses are completed entirely online. Watch lectures, participate in online forums with your classmates, and although assignments have deadlines, do homework whenever it’s convenient for you. The program also provides optional networking and career development opportunities for you to connect virtually with your peers, faculty, and professionals. Learn more about online learning with UW.
Earn your bachelor’s, master’s, or certificate in sustainability ONLINE with the University of Wisconsin.
Accelerating Toward Net-zero: Job Growth in Sustainability Expands
The sustainability profession is at a pivotal point in its evolution. Stories detailing the impact of a changing climate dominate the headlines: extreme weather, rising sea levels, melting glaciers, warming oceans, biodiversity loss, social inequity, and supply chain disruption. As more organizations recognize their role in conserving the planet’s resources, driven by consumer demand for sustainable products, companies that want to stay competitive will find it difficult to ignore consumer sentiment and the negative business impacts of inaction.
While there is no universal definition of what qualifies as a sustainability job, professional organizations, like GreenBiz and Sustainable Brands, offer insight on job trends and growth. According to GreenBiz, we’re at that decisive moment, when job opportunities are increasing as sustainability goals expand. With an expanding array of industries recognizing the need to integrate sustainability goals, like corporate social responsibility, into their business practices, every job has the potential to be a “green job”.
This is indeed an unprecedented moment for the profession … reflective of a mounting climate crisis that requires increasingly bold action. CEOs are more engaged, more companies are expanding their sustainability efforts and the size of their teams, and more commitments are being made to reduce GHG emissions.”—State of the Profession 2022, GreenBiz
READ FURTHER: SUSTAINABILITY CAREERS
Who Should Apply?
The Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Management is a bachelor’s degree completion program, and is a great option for those with existing, transferable college credits who want to complete their degree. Learn more about transferring credits.
The program is ideal preparation for those seeking a career in business or related fields, that confronts environmental, economic, and social concerns, such as climate change, pollution, and food security, by transforming how the world does business. Wherever your career takes you, whether that is a small or mid-sized business, large corporation, nonprofit, education, or government agency, sustainable business skills will allow you to join the transition to a green economy and make a difference with a rewarding career.
Scholarships Available Fall and Spring Semester
Since launching the scholarship program in 2011, UW Sustainable Management has awarded nearly $1,500,000 to students to help pay for their education and advance the positive impact of sustainability across the world. Learn more about applying for a scholarship.
Universities of Wisconsin Collaboration
The Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Management is a partnership of UW-Parkside, UW-River Falls, and UW-Superior. Learn more about our campus partners and choosing a home campus.
UW Sustainable Management faculty have expertise in a wide range of fields, including: business, sustainability, water resource management, economics, environmental science, natural resource management, and more.
Accreditation
Whether online or on campus, University of Wisconsin programs have a reputation for delivering world-class education and student support. Accreditation is your assurance that you will graduate with skills that are relevant to your field and valued by employers. The Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Management is approved by the University of Wisconsin Board of Regents and is fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Program Membership
The Sustainable Management program is a member of:
Admission to the program does not require an application fee. Please review the following information before completing the University of Wisconsin System Online Admission Application.
The Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Management is a bachelor’s degree completion program. To be eligible for the program, students must meet the following requirements:
- Associate degree or approximately 45-60 transferable general education credits (min. 2.0 GPA),
- Prerequisite coursework:
- college math,
- introductory biology,
- speech/introduction to communications.
UW campus equivalents or other college/university equivalents may be substituted. Learn more about transferring credits.
If you have an associate degree or equivalent coursework, aptitude tests, such as the ACT or SAT, are not required for admission.
You will also need to submit the following application materials:
- Official college transcripts.
Options may be available to satisfy the general education requirement or complete prerequisites, such as taking them through your preferred home campus or one of these associate degrees. Contact an enrollment adviser by phone, 1-877-895-3276, or email learn@uwex.wisconsin.edu for more information.
International Guidelines
This program welcomes online students from around the world. Online students do not qualify for an F-1 Student Visa to travel to the U.S., but instead can participate in our online courses remotely. If your native language is not English and/or you attended school outside of the U.S., you will likely need to provide proof of English language proficiency and an official translation or evaluation of academic transcripts. Requirements will vary based on a student’s academic history and home campus policies. For guidance about these requirements and how they apply to your specific situation, contact your preferred home campus admissions office.
If you would like to apply as an International Student for an on-campus program in the UW System please refer to these resources through UW-HELP.
Application Deadline
Your online application and all required materials must be submitted to your preferred home campus generally 2-4 weeks prior to the date classes start (this varies by campus) to be considered for admission.
How to Apply
While you are free to apply on your own, many prospective students find it helpful to speak with an enrollment adviser first.
Step 1. Select a home campus from our list of program partners: UW-Parkside, UW-River Falls, or UW-Superior. Learn more about our campus partners and choosing a home campus.
Step 2. Apply to your preferred home campus using the University of Wisconsin System Online Admission Application. Choose the “Sustainable Management-Collaborative” program. There is no application fee for undergraduate degree-seeking applicants (domestic and international).
Step 3. Send official college transcripts from all institutions attended directly to the home campus admissions office to which you are applying. Please request electronic transcripts, if this service is offered by your previous school(s), to be sent directly to the admissions email of your chosen home campus. Electronic transcripts are usually delivered more quickly than physical copies sent by mail.
21 Courses. 63 Credits. 100% Online.
Coursework in the Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Management focuses on developing business skills with an emphasis on applied principles of sustainability supported by environmental science. Students must complete twenty-one courses (63 credits) to earn their degree. There are no electives.
- 20 courses (3 credits per course)
- Capstone project course (3 credits)
How do these programs prepare me to work in sustainability?
An advisory board, whose members include sustainability experts with experience in a wide range of areas such as strategic planning, market research, waste management, recycling, emergency response planning, community engagement, education, and outreach, consulting, supply chain management, and systems thinking, ensures the curriculum stays relevant to emerging trends.
For a list of corporations and organizations that contribute valuable insight to UW Sustainable Management degree and certificate programs, visit Business Partnerships. Each one has given critical input into determining the competencies required for the degree.
How long will it take to earn my degree?
Students in the program enroll in 2-3 courses per semester and complete the degree in 3-4 years, on average. Completion time depends on how many courses you take during a semester and whether you attend all three semesters (courses are offered all three semesters, however, course availability varies each semester). The program offers flexibility to formulate a completion plan with your academic advisor that accounts for time constraints such as work and personal obligations.
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
This course presents an overview of the interrelationships between humans and the environment. The first part of the course focuses on important ecological concepts. The remainder of the course deals with human influence on the environment—and which sustainable practices are best suited to help us avoid or ameliorate any negative impacts of the aforementioned influence. The ecological concepts are used throughout to identify and understand possible solutions to contemporary environmental problems, and to provide a basis for proposing those solutions. Overall, this course will provide you with a better understanding of how humans can more positively affect the environment in which they live. | 3 Credits |
This course covers the process of using systems thinking to apply the concept of sustainability to various business, social, and scientific issues. Rather than looking at a problem by analyzing its component parts, you will learn to analyze whole systems. You will then model the relationships and behaviors to identify leverage points for change. | 3 Credits |
An introduction to the discipline of financial and managerial accounting. You will gain a basic knowledge of the preparation of financial statements and their analytical use. Further, you will explore how this accounting information is applied by managers in the decision-making process to help organizations meet the triple bottom line (strong profits, healthy environment, and vital communities). Prerequisites: College Math (for degree-seeking students only; there are no prerequisites for certificate students) | 3 Credits |
This introductory course highlights economic, social, and environmental issues facing society. In addition to covering traditional issues such as markets and prices (microeconomics), government economic management (macroeconomics), and international trade, this course introduces economic content into the analysis of selected topics such as poverty and discrimination, the environment, and the provision of government services. Critiques of conventional economic thought, within the context of systems thinking and ecological economics, are integrated throughout the course. Prerequisites: College Math (for degree-seeking students only; there are no prerequisites for certificate students) | 3 Credits |
This course is an interdisciplinary professional and technical communication course that applies knowledge of sustainability principles and develops rhetorical skills for a variety of audiences in social, economic, and environmental contexts. | 3 Credits |
This course offers an in-depth assessment of the economic, social, and environmental considerations of production agricultural systems that provide safe, reliable, and affordable food supplies for a growing human population. In addition to the maintenance of the economic viability of production agricultural systems, course topics will focus on: the maintenance of soil, water, and air resources; addressing issues of biodiversity loss; and, maintenance of rural community character and economies. Economic, regulatory, and public entity tools that promote sustainability in production agriculture will also be addressed. Prerequisite: SMGT 115 | 3 Credits |
This course focuses on climate change science and greenhouse gases, natural and human impacts of climate change, and sustainable and efficient strategies to limit carbon emissions. The course is divided into three major areas: 1) climate science and measured impacts, 2) modeled predictions and mitigation/adaptation strategies, 3) sustainable and carbon neutral practices. This course will emphasize not only the economics of carbon budgeting and increasing efficiency but also the human role in creating and solving climate change and the discrepancies in who, where, and what will be impacted by both climate change and the necessary solutions. Prerequisite: College Math (for degree-seeking students only; there are no prerequisites for certificate students) | 3 Credits |
This course covers interrelationships of organisms with each other and their environments, as well as investigation into composition and dynamics of populations, communities, ecosystems, landscapes, and the biosphere, with emphasis on sustainability. Prerequisites: Introductory Biology (for degree-seeking students only; there are no prerequisites for certificate students) | 3 Credits |
Basic engineering principles and applications for existing and emerging energy technologies. You will learn about energy production, consumption, and environmental impact, and explore the ways in which these principles relate to sustainable management. Topics cover a wide range of energy systems, including nuclear, fossil fuels, wind, solar, biofuels, and biomass. Prerequisites: College Math (for degree-seeking students only; there are no prerequisites for certificate students) | 3 Credits |
This course examines the interdependence between natural resources associated with land, air, and water. You will explore significant environmental issues regarding the policies and problems in the use and management of natural resources related to soils, vegetation, and landscape within the context of social needs and sustainability. | 3 Credits |
Analysis of an organization’s opportunities to develop sustainability practices as they relate to the development of product, pricing, supply and distribution channels (retail, wholesale), promotion (advertising, sales promotion, public relations), target markets, and reporting methodologies. Prerequisites: SMGT 235 | 3 Credits |
An examination of the interaction between market activity and the environment. The course applies economic analysis to the efficient and sustainable management of environmental goods and resources, and examines how economic institutions and policies can be changed to bring the environmental impacts of economic decision making more into balance with human desires and the needs of the ecosystem. Prerequisites: SMGT 235 | 3 Credits |
This course explores how technology can be applied to managing sustainable development in an organization. You will learn about the use of data-processing systems, information systems and decision-support tools, information-systems planning and development, overview of computer hardware and software, database management, networking and Web technologies, green data centers, energy-efficiency trends in information technology, and data and information use in green businesses. Prerequisites: SMGT 230 (for degree-seeking students only; there are no prerequisites for certificate students) | 3 Credits |
An investigation of management principles and theories underlying human behavior in organizations. This course examines how personality, motivation, communication, decision making, leadership, teamwork, ethics, power, diversity, and work stress can create both constraints and opportunities within an “eco-friendly” organization. Prerequisites: Speech/Introduction to Communications (for degree-seeking students only; there are no prerequisites for certificate students) | 3 Credits |
This course covers topics including the spectrum of historical, theoretical, and technical issues applicable to sustainable management of natural resources, environmental quality standards, and risk management. Administrative structures that form the basis for selecting appropriate responses to complex management problems faced by industry, government, and nongovernmental agencies are identified. The historical development and current framework of public policy are investigated, and specific foundational legislation is critiqued. Prerequisites: SMGT 115 | 3 Credits |
An introduction to the concepts, functions, processes, and objectives of logistics and supply chain management activities. The course covers activities involved in physically moving raw materials, inventory, and finished goods from point of origin to point of use or consumption. It covers the planning, organizing, and controlling of such activities, and examines the role of supply chain processes in creating sustainable competitive advantage with respect to quality, flexibility, lead time, and cost. Topics include customer service, inventory management, transportation, warehousing, supply chain management, reverse logistics, green supply chains, and international logistics. | 3 Credits |
This course will enable students to understand the rationale behind CSR and sustainability. This course takes students through an evaluation of risks and potential impacts in decision making, enabling them to recognize the links between the success of an organization and the well-being of a community/society. Methods and standards of integrating CSR throughout an organization, creating metrics and communicating CSR policies internally and externally will be discussed and analyzed. Students will develop an understanding of best practices of CSR in its entire breadth within an organization as well as delve into economic structures designed to foster more responsibility and accountability. | 3 Credits |
This course addresses the impacts of the human-built environment on natural systems and opportunities available to mitigate them through thoughtful planning, design, and implementation techniques to provide desirable, affordable, and sustainable living and working spaces. Topics focus on providing critical infrastructure for economic development, housing, transportation, and utilities while protecting and enhancing environmental assets through effective site and building design, public input, and use of regulatory tools. Additional attention is given to the maintenance of community character and the economic and social interdependence of rural, exurban, suburban, and urban areas. | 3 Credits |
This course considers the historical roots of the societal idea of development. We will investigate economic theories of growth and their implications for sustainability, along with interrelationships between population growth, food security, poverty, inequality, urbanization, technological change, international trade, and environmental change on local, regional, and global scales. Contemporary issues and alternatives are explored. Prerequisites: SMGT 235 | 3 Credits |
An introduction to the fundamentals of human-environmental interaction. The course explores how these interactions create problems, and how the elements of social, technological, and personal choices combine to overcome them. Prerequisites: SMGT 115 | 3 Credits |
The capstone course provides students with the opportunity to apply what they’ve learned and gain hands-on experience in the real world. Each student will help a real organization solve an existing sustainability problem by implementing practical knowledge to achieve a triple-bottom-line solution. Projects may focus on issues such as supply chain structures, energy efficiencies, or environmental and climate concerns. The instructor will serve as a guide throughout the experience. Prerequisites: SMGT 494 Pre-capstone is a zero credit course that students are automatically enrolled in once they have completed 10 courses. Students must also pass SMGT 494 quiz with an 80% or higher grade (mandatory), have senior standing and/or success coach/academic director permission to enroll in the capstone course. | 3 Credits |
Course availability for the Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Management varies each semester, and is subject to change due to fluctuating enrollment. If you have questions regarding transfer of previous coursework from other degree programs, or if you are a current student, please consult with your campus adviser prior to registration.
Fall 2024
Course Preview Week: August 27 - September 02, 2024
Semester Dates: September 03 - December 13, 2024
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
This course presents an overview of the interrelationships between humans and the environment. The first part of the course focuses on important ecological concepts. The remainder of the course deals with human influence on the environment—and which sustainable practices are best suited to help us avoid or ameliorate any negative impacts of the aforementioned influence. The ecological concepts are used throughout to identify and understand possible solutions to contemporary environmental problems, and to provide a basis for proposing those solutions. Overall, this course will provide you with a better understanding of how humans can more positively affect the environment in which they live. | 3 Credits |
This introductory course highlights economic, social, and environmental issues facing society. In addition to covering traditional issues such as markets and prices (microeconomics), government economic management (macroeconomics), and international trade, this course introduces economic content into the analysis of selected topics such as poverty and discrimination, the environment, and the provision of government services. Critiques of conventional economic thought, within the context of systems thinking and ecological economics, are integrated throughout the course. Prerequisites: College Math (for degree-seeking students only; there are no prerequisites for certificate students) | 3 Credits |
This course is an interdisciplinary professional and technical communication course that applies knowledge of sustainability principles and develops rhetorical skills for a variety of audiences in social, economic, and environmental contexts. | 3 Credits |
This course covers interrelationships of organisms with each other and their environments, as well as investigation into composition and dynamics of populations, communities, ecosystems, landscapes, and the biosphere, with emphasis on sustainability. Prerequisites: Introductory Biology (for degree-seeking students only; there are no prerequisites for certificate students) | 3 Credits |
This course examines the interdependence between natural resources associated with land, air, and water. You will explore significant environmental issues regarding the policies and problems in the use and management of natural resources related to soils, vegetation, and landscape within the context of social needs and sustainability. | 3 Credits |
An examination of the interaction between market activity and the environment. The course applies economic analysis to the efficient and sustainable management of environmental goods and resources, and examines how economic institutions and policies can be changed to bring the environmental impacts of economic decision making more into balance with human desires and the needs of the ecosystem. Prerequisites: SMGT 235 | 3 Credits |
This course explores how technology can be applied to managing sustainable development in an organization. You will learn about the use of data-processing systems, information systems and decision-support tools, information-systems planning and development, overview of computer hardware and software, database management, networking and Web technologies, green data centers, energy-efficiency trends in information technology, and data and information use in green businesses. Prerequisites: SMGT 230 (for degree-seeking students only; there are no prerequisites for certificate students) | 3 Credits |
This course will enable students to understand the rationale behind CSR and sustainability. This course takes students through an evaluation of risks and potential impacts in decision making, enabling them to recognize the links between the success of an organization and the well-being of a community/society. Methods and standards of integrating CSR throughout an organization, creating metrics and communicating CSR policies internally and externally will be discussed and analyzed. Students will develop an understanding of best practices of CSR in its entire breadth within an organization as well as delve into economic structures designed to foster more responsibility and accountability. | 3 Credits |
The capstone course provides students with the opportunity to apply what they’ve learned and gain hands-on experience in the real world. Each student will help a real organization solve an existing sustainability problem by implementing practical knowledge to achieve a triple-bottom-line solution. Projects may focus on issues such as supply chain structures, energy efficiencies, or environmental and climate concerns. The instructor will serve as a guide throughout the experience. Prerequisites: SMGT 494 Pre-capstone is a zero credit course that students are automatically enrolled in once they have completed 10 courses. Students must also pass SMGT 494 quiz with an 80% or higher grade (mandatory), have senior standing and/or success coach/academic director permission to enroll in the capstone course. | 3 Credits |
Spring 2025
Request Permission NumberCourse Preview Week: January 21 - January 27, 2025
Semester Dates: January 28 - May 09, 2025
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
This course covers the process of using systems thinking to apply the concept of sustainability to various business, social, and scientific issues. Rather than looking at a problem by analyzing its component parts, you will learn to analyze whole systems. You will then model the relationships and behaviors to identify leverage points for change. | 3 Credits |
An introduction to the discipline of financial and managerial accounting. You will gain a basic knowledge of the preparation of financial statements and their analytical use. Further, you will explore how this accounting information is applied by managers in the decision-making process to help organizations meet the triple bottom line (strong profits, healthy environment, and vital communities). Prerequisites: College Math (for degree-seeking students only; there are no prerequisites for certificate students) | 3 Credits |
This course focuses on climate change science and greenhouse gases, natural and human impacts of climate change, and sustainable and efficient strategies to limit carbon emissions. The course is divided into three major areas: 1) climate science and measured impacts, 2) modeled predictions and mitigation/adaptation strategies, 3) sustainable and carbon neutral practices. This course will emphasize not only the economics of carbon budgeting and increasing efficiency but also the human role in creating and solving climate change and the discrepancies in who, where, and what will be impacted by both climate change and the necessary solutions. Prerequisite: College Math (for degree-seeking students only; there are no prerequisites for certificate students) | 3 Credits |
Basic engineering principles and applications for existing and emerging energy technologies. You will learn about energy production, consumption, and environmental impact, and explore the ways in which these principles relate to sustainable management. Topics cover a wide range of energy systems, including nuclear, fossil fuels, wind, solar, biofuels, and biomass. Prerequisites: College Math (for degree-seeking students only; there are no prerequisites for certificate students) | 3 Credits |
Analysis of an organization’s opportunities to develop sustainability practices as they relate to the development of product, pricing, supply and distribution channels (retail, wholesale), promotion (advertising, sales promotion, public relations), target markets, and reporting methodologies. Prerequisites: SMGT 235 | 3 Credits |
An investigation of management principles and theories underlying human behavior in organizations. This course examines how personality, motivation, communication, decision making, leadership, teamwork, ethics, power, diversity, and work stress can create both constraints and opportunities within an “eco-friendly” organization. Prerequisites: Speech/Introduction to Communications (for degree-seeking students only; there are no prerequisites for certificate students) | 3 Credits |
An introduction to the concepts, functions, processes, and objectives of logistics and supply chain management activities. The course covers activities involved in physically moving raw materials, inventory, and finished goods from point of origin to point of use or consumption. It covers the planning, organizing, and controlling of such activities, and examines the role of supply chain processes in creating sustainable competitive advantage with respect to quality, flexibility, lead time, and cost. Topics include customer service, inventory management, transportation, warehousing, supply chain management, reverse logistics, green supply chains, and international logistics. | 3 Credits |
This course considers the historical roots of the societal idea of development. We will investigate economic theories of growth and their implications for sustainability, along with interrelationships between population growth, food security, poverty, inequality, urbanization, technological change, international trade, and environmental change on local, regional, and global scales. Contemporary issues and alternatives are explored. Prerequisites: SMGT 235 | 3 Credits |
An introduction to the fundamentals of human-environmental interaction. The course explores how these interactions create problems, and how the elements of social, technological, and personal choices combine to overcome them. Prerequisites: SMGT 115 | 3 Credits |
The capstone course provides students with the opportunity to apply what they’ve learned and gain hands-on experience in the real world. Each student will help a real organization solve an existing sustainability problem by implementing practical knowledge to achieve a triple-bottom-line solution. Projects may focus on issues such as supply chain structures, energy efficiencies, or environmental and climate concerns. The instructor will serve as a guide throughout the experience. Prerequisites: SMGT 494 Pre-capstone is a zero credit course that students are automatically enrolled in once they have completed 10 courses. Students must also pass SMGT 494 quiz with an 80% or higher grade (mandatory), have senior standing and/or success coach/academic director permission to enroll in the capstone course. | 3 Credits |
Summer 2025
Registration Opens: March 10, 2025
Course Preview Week: May 20 - May 26, 2025
Semester Dates: May 27 - August 08, 2025
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
This course is an interdisciplinary professional and technical communication course that applies knowledge of sustainability principles and develops rhetorical skills for a variety of audiences in social, economic, and environmental contexts. | 3 Credits |
An examination of the interaction between market activity and the environment. The course applies economic analysis to the efficient and sustainable management of environmental goods and resources, and examines how economic institutions and policies can be changed to bring the environmental impacts of economic decision making more into balance with human desires and the needs of the ecosystem. Prerequisites: SMGT 235 | 3 Credits |
This course will enable students to understand the rationale behind CSR and sustainability. This course takes students through an evaluation of risks and potential impacts in decision making, enabling them to recognize the links between the success of an organization and the well-being of a community/society. Methods and standards of integrating CSR throughout an organization, creating metrics and communicating CSR policies internally and externally will be discussed and analyzed. Students will develop an understanding of best practices of CSR in its entire breadth within an organization as well as delve into economic structures designed to foster more responsibility and accountability. | 3 Credits |
Fall 2025
Registration Opens: April 14, 2025
Course Preview Week: August 26 - September 01, 2025
Semester Dates: September 02 - December 12, 2025
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
This course presents an overview of the interrelationships between humans and the environment. The first part of the course focuses on important ecological concepts. The remainder of the course deals with human influence on the environment—and which sustainable practices are best suited to help us avoid or ameliorate any negative impacts of the aforementioned influence. The ecological concepts are used throughout to identify and understand possible solutions to contemporary environmental problems, and to provide a basis for proposing those solutions. Overall, this course will provide you with a better understanding of how humans can more positively affect the environment in which they live. | 3 Credits |
This introductory course highlights economic, social, and environmental issues facing society. In addition to covering traditional issues such as markets and prices (microeconomics), government economic management (macroeconomics), and international trade, this course introduces economic content into the analysis of selected topics such as poverty and discrimination, the environment, and the provision of government services. Critiques of conventional economic thought, within the context of systems thinking and ecological economics, are integrated throughout the course. Prerequisites: College Math (for degree-seeking students only; there are no prerequisites for certificate students) | 3 Credits |
This course offers an in-depth assessment of the economic, social, and environmental considerations of production agricultural systems that provide safe, reliable, and affordable food supplies for a growing human population. In addition to the maintenance of the economic viability of production agricultural systems, course topics will focus on: the maintenance of soil, water, and air resources; addressing issues of biodiversity loss; and, maintenance of rural community character and economies. Economic, regulatory, and public entity tools that promote sustainability in production agriculture will also be addressed. Prerequisite: SMGT 115 | 3 Credits |
This course covers interrelationships of organisms with each other and their environments, as well as investigation into composition and dynamics of populations, communities, ecosystems, landscapes, and the biosphere, with emphasis on sustainability. Prerequisites: Introductory Biology (for degree-seeking students only; there are no prerequisites for certificate students) | 3 Credits |
This course examines the interdependence between natural resources associated with land, air, and water. You will explore significant environmental issues regarding the policies and problems in the use and management of natural resources related to soils, vegetation, and landscape within the context of social needs and sustainability. | 3 Credits |
This course explores how technology can be applied to managing sustainable development in an organization. You will learn about the use of data-processing systems, information systems and decision-support tools, information-systems planning and development, overview of computer hardware and software, database management, networking and Web technologies, green data centers, energy-efficiency trends in information technology, and data and information use in green businesses. Prerequisites: SMGT 230 (for degree-seeking students only; there are no prerequisites for certificate students) | 3 Credits |
This course covers topics including the spectrum of historical, theoretical, and technical issues applicable to sustainable management of natural resources, environmental quality standards, and risk management. Administrative structures that form the basis for selecting appropriate responses to complex management problems faced by industry, government, and nongovernmental agencies are identified. The historical development and current framework of public policy are investigated, and specific foundational legislation is critiqued. Prerequisites: SMGT 115 | 3 Credits |
An introduction to the concepts, functions, processes, and objectives of logistics and supply chain management activities. The course covers activities involved in physically moving raw materials, inventory, and finished goods from point of origin to point of use or consumption. It covers the planning, organizing, and controlling of such activities, and examines the role of supply chain processes in creating sustainable competitive advantage with respect to quality, flexibility, lead time, and cost. Topics include customer service, inventory management, transportation, warehousing, supply chain management, reverse logistics, green supply chains, and international logistics. | 3 Credits |
This course addresses the impacts of the human-built environment on natural systems and opportunities available to mitigate them through thoughtful planning, design, and implementation techniques to provide desirable, affordable, and sustainable living and working spaces. Topics focus on providing critical infrastructure for economic development, housing, transportation, and utilities while protecting and enhancing environmental assets through effective site and building design, public input, and use of regulatory tools. Additional attention is given to the maintenance of community character and the economic and social interdependence of rural, exurban, suburban, and urban areas. | 3 Credits |
Spring 2026
Registration Opens: November 10, 2025
Course Preview Week: January 20 - January 26, 2026
Semester Dates: January 27 - May 08, 2026
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
This course covers the process of using systems thinking to apply the concept of sustainability to various business, social, and scientific issues. Rather than looking at a problem by analyzing its component parts, you will learn to analyze whole systems. You will then model the relationships and behaviors to identify leverage points for change. | 3 Credits |
An introduction to the discipline of financial and managerial accounting. You will gain a basic knowledge of the preparation of financial statements and their analytical use. Further, you will explore how this accounting information is applied by managers in the decision-making process to help organizations meet the triple bottom line (strong profits, healthy environment, and vital communities). Prerequisites: College Math (for degree-seeking students only; there are no prerequisites for certificate students) | 3 Credits |
This course focuses on climate change science and greenhouse gases, natural and human impacts of climate change, and sustainable and efficient strategies to limit carbon emissions. The course is divided into three major areas: 1) climate science and measured impacts, 2) modeled predictions and mitigation/adaptation strategies, 3) sustainable and carbon neutral practices. This course will emphasize not only the economics of carbon budgeting and increasing efficiency but also the human role in creating and solving climate change and the discrepancies in who, where, and what will be impacted by both climate change and the necessary solutions. Prerequisite: College Math (for degree-seeking students only; there are no prerequisites for certificate students) | 3 Credits |
Basic engineering principles and applications for existing and emerging energy technologies. You will learn about energy production, consumption, and environmental impact, and explore the ways in which these principles relate to sustainable management. Topics cover a wide range of energy systems, including nuclear, fossil fuels, wind, solar, biofuels, and biomass. Prerequisites: College Math (for degree-seeking students only; there are no prerequisites for certificate students) | 3 Credits |
Analysis of an organization’s opportunities to develop sustainability practices as they relate to the development of product, pricing, supply and distribution channels (retail, wholesale), promotion (advertising, sales promotion, public relations), target markets, and reporting methodologies. Prerequisites: SMGT 235 | 3 Credits |
An investigation of management principles and theories underlying human behavior in organizations. This course examines how personality, motivation, communication, decision making, leadership, teamwork, ethics, power, diversity, and work stress can create both constraints and opportunities within an “eco-friendly” organization. Prerequisites: Speech/Introduction to Communications (for degree-seeking students only; there are no prerequisites for certificate students) | 3 Credits |
This course considers the historical roots of the societal idea of development. We will investigate economic theories of growth and their implications for sustainability, along with interrelationships between population growth, food security, poverty, inequality, urbanization, technological change, international trade, and environmental change on local, regional, and global scales. Contemporary issues and alternatives are explored. Prerequisites: SMGT 235 | 3 Credits |
An introduction to the fundamentals of human-environmental interaction. The course explores how these interactions create problems, and how the elements of social, technological, and personal choices combine to overcome them. Prerequisites: SMGT 115 | 3 Credits |
The capstone course provides students with the opportunity to apply what they’ve learned and gain hands-on experience in the real world. Each student will help a real organization solve an existing sustainability problem by implementing practical knowledge to achieve a triple-bottom-line solution. Projects may focus on issues such as supply chain structures, energy efficiencies, or environmental and climate concerns. The instructor will serve as a guide throughout the experience. Prerequisites: SMGT 494 Pre-capstone is a zero credit course that students are automatically enrolled in once they have completed 10 courses. Students must also pass SMGT 494 quiz with an 80% or higher grade (mandatory), have senior standing and/or success coach/academic director permission to enroll in the capstone course. | 3 Credits |
The Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Management was developed with advice from industry experts across various disciplines to equip graduates with practical skills that allow them to pursue jobs in a variety of settings. You’ll graduate with confidence that your skills and knowledge will match employer needs and expectations. Program outcomes are based on current industry standards and best practices.
Upon completion of your bachelor’s degree, you will be able to:
- Analyze sustainability issues from local and global perspectives;
- Analyze and interpret social, scientific, and business-related information in the context of sustainability;
- Make informed judgments that lead to sustainable outcomes;
- Employ systems thinking approaches to evaluate sustainability issues;
- Communicate sustainability to diverse audiences;
- Integrate sustainability concepts into applied settings and projects.
Tuition is a flat fee of $450 per credit. There are no additional course or program fees, with the exception of textbooks which are purchased separately.
- You’ll pay the same tuition whether you live in Wisconsin or out of state.
- You will not pay technology fees. If software or special technology is required in a course, it will be provided to you and is included in tuition.
- You will not pay segregated fees (fees for student services, activities, programs, and facilities).
- Textbooks are purchased separately and are not included in tuition.
Financial Aid
Financial aid may be available to you as a returning adult student and is awarded by your home campus. Learn more about our campus partners and choosing a home campus.
Contact your home campus financial aid office for details:
Please check with your home campus regarding minimum credits required to qualify for financial aid as a full- or part-time student.
Ways to Pay for Your Degree
As a returning adult student, you may consider the following sources of financial aid to help with the cost of your online degree:
- Grants—award is usually based on financial need. Grants, unlike loans, generally do not have to be repaid.
- Scholarships—usually based on academic merit, financial need, or other criteria, awarded by a wide range of organizations. Scholarships do not need to be repaid.
- Loans—a loan is money you borrow and must pay back with interest. Student loans are available from the federal government, private sources such as a bank or financial institution, or other sources. Federal student loans usually have lower interest rates than private loans, and offer flexible repayment plans.
- Military benefits—aid available to eligible veterans and current members of the military.
- Tuition reimbursement—a benefit offered by companies to their employees to help pay for education. Ask your human resources department if your company offers this benefit.
- Education tax benefits—research possible tax benefits with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
Your first step when applying for federal and state financial aid is completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Federal financial aid is distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. Students who apply early have a better chance of receiving aid, including grant aid that does not have to be repaid.
UW Online Collaborative Programs Grants and Scholarships
You may be eligible for a grant or scholarship as a student in a semester-based collaborative program. More information can be found here.
New and continuing degree-seeking students in the online Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Management are eligible for a scholarship. Students interested in a career in sustainability are encouraged to apply to the program and submit a scholarship application. The scholarship application deadline is the first day of the semester.
Scholarships Available Fall and Spring Semester
Since launching the scholarship program in 2011, UW Sustainable Management has awarded nearly $1,500,000 to students to help pay for their education and advance the positive impact of sustainability across the world.
Scholarships are awarded during the fall and spring semesters, subject to available funding. Students entering the program during the summer semester are eligible to apply for the fall scholarship.
Eligibility
To be eligible for the scholarship,
- New students in the Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Management program:
- must be admitted to a campus, and
- registered for at least one SMGT course in the program.
- Continuing students in the Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Management program:
- must have completed at least one SMGT course, and
- maintained a 2.75 or higher grade point average in the program.
International students are eligible for the scholarship. Certificate and special students are not eligible. As long as the eligibility requirements are met, most students receive the scholarship.
How to Apply
Scholarship applicants must submit a personal essay with the online scholarship application form.
Respond to all four questions listed below in your essay (500 words minimum):
- Explain why you chose UW Sustainable Management.
- Who or what inspires you to be in this sustainability program?
- How do you see yourself applying the knowledge and skills you build in this program to the work you do or would like to do in the future?
- Through your actions (professionally or personally) how do you hope to inspire others for a more sustainable future?
Respond to one of the questions listed below in your essay (500 words minimum):
- What has been the most interesting or rewarding part of your experience in the Sustainable Management program so far and why?
- Pick three of your favorite sustainability-related subject areas. Describe how the Sustainable Management program has increased your understanding of those topics.
- Explain why you chose the Sustainable Management program, and your ultimate career goal after graduation.
- Choose one company or organization and analyze its sustainability efforts. In what ways are the leaders of that organization succeeding in sustainability? What could they do to improve their sustainable strategy?
- Who or what inspires you to be in this program?
- How do you see yourself applying the knowledge and skills you build in this program to the work you do or would like to do in the future?
- Through your actions (professionally or personally) how do you hope to inspire others for a more sustainable future?
As a new student you will also need to submit an application to the program. Please note that the deadline to apply to the degree program is two weeks prior to the first day of the semester.
Start Your Scholarship Application
Important Information
Scholarship awards are disbursed during the second half of the semester. Students will need to pay their tuition bill in full by the due date for their campus. If you plan to use financial aid, you should submit your financial aid application as soon as possible. You can apply and receive the scholarship multiple times throughout your time in the program, however, the award amount per semester may vary.
If you have questions about the scholarship program, call 608-800-6753 (Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CT), or email sustainable@uwex.wisconsin.edu.
Experience UW Sustainable Management
Learn about sustainable management, meet the faculty, read student stories, and more. Read the blog.