Graduate Programs
MS in Sustainability Management
As a graduate of MSSM, you will be able to demonstrate the following program outcomes:
- To analyze management problems and Issues using the perspectives of systems thinking and sustainable development
- To develop creative systems and sol;utions to management concerns, such as the implementation of sustainability vision and strategy, minimization of ecological footprint, development of sustainable organizational culture, green marketing, and sustainability development
- To develop tools and competencies that may be required by new situations and contexts
CURRICULUM BY REQUIREMENT
The Master of Science in Sustainability Management consists of three (3) required courses, six (6) major courses, three (3) electives, a comprehensive examination, and a thesis, with a total of 42 units.
1. Required Courses (3 x 3 units)
- LAS 220: Principles of Strategic Management
- ECON 271: Applied Economics for Managers (pre-requisite: Basic/undergraduate Eco)
- SOMGT 292: Research Methods (or any 3-unit research method course from Psychology, Economics, Sociology-Anthropology, or Mathematics relevant to future research and approved by the academic adviser)
2. Major Courses (6 x 3 units)
The major courses define the specialization of the degree program. Outputs of these courses should contribute to the Thesis.
- DEC 242.50: Systems Thinking for Sustainability
- OPMAN 246.10: Introduction to Industrial Ecology
- FINN 240: Environmental Finance
- ACCT 240: Green Accounting
- ACCT 241: Sustainability Reporting
- SOMGT 299.12: Research Report (Thesis Proposal)
3. Electives (3 x 3 units)
The electives should strengthen the student s competencies in sustainability management. Electives may also be taken from other departments, upon the approval of the adviser. Examples are found below:
- Research Methods from Economics, Psychology, Sociology-Anthropology
- ACCT 241.60: Greenhouse Gas Reporting
- LAS 240.60: Corporate Sustainability
- LAS 240.61: Business Continuity, Sustainability and Innovation
- LAS 214: Leadership and Management Communication
- LAS 240.62: Business Negotiation for Sustainability
- LLAW 223.03: Philippine Laws on Sustainability and Innovation
- Other 200-level courses from JGSOM, DS, ES, Economics, Psychology, Sociology-Anthropology, and Development Studies with approval of academic adviser
4. Language Requirement
The student must be fluent in English.
5. Integrative Case Study
The student may take the Integrative Case Study, upon completion of the three (3) required courses, five (5) major courses, and three (3) electives.
6. Proposal Defense
Upon completion of SOMGT 299.12, the student will present and defend a thesis proposal to a panel, consisting of at least two faculty members. The thesis adviser shall be present but shall not be part of the said panel.
7. Thesis (6 units)
The student will enroll for six (6) units of thesis work. Upon completion of the thesis, the student will have an oral defense of the thesis to a panel of three faculty members. The thesis adviser shall be present but shall not be part of the said panel.
8. Journal Article Publication
The student shall publish an article in a refereed journal.
Curriculum by Semester (Sample Program of Study for Full Time Student)
| Yr 1 Sem 1 | Yr 1 Sem 2 |
| LAS 220 Principles of Strategic Management | FINN 240 Environmental Finance |
| ECON 271 Applied Economics for Managers | ACCT 240 Green Accounting |
| DECSCI 242.50 Systems Thinking for Sustainability | ACCT 241 Sustainability Reporting |
| OPMAN 246.10 Industrial Ecology | SOMGT 292 Research Methods |
| Elective 1 (preferably a Research Methods course) | Elective 2 |
| Intersession Yr 1 | |
| Elective 3 | |
| SOMGT 299.12 Research Report (Proposal Defense) | |
| Yr 2 Sem 1 | Yr 2 Sem 2 |
| Integrative Case Study | SOMGT 299.1 Thesis 1 |
| Intersession Yr 2 | |
| SOMGT 299.2 Thesis 2 | |
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is sustainability management?
The field of study incorporates sustainable development with various aspects of management, e.g., enable organizations to implement sustainability vision and strategy, minimize ecological footprint, develop sustainable organizational culture, promote green marketing, and undertake sustainability reporting.
- What value will MSSM add to my career?
MSSM aims to develop graduates who can analyze management problems and issues using the perspectives of systems thinking and sustainable development; develop creative systems and solutions to management concerns regarding sustainable development; and develop tools and competencies for sustainability as may be required by new situations and contexts. Graduates may thus serve as consultants for local and international companies looking for consultants in sustainability strategies, implementation of sustainability initiatives, and sustainability reporting, among others. They may also bring the sustainability perspective into their own businesses and use it to improve their brand and reputation. Furthermore, there is a growing trend among companies to have sustainability officers, some of whom are at senior management level.
- What is the difference between MSSM and Master in Environmental Management (MEM)?
MSSM focuses on the incorporation of sustainability in business/industry, while the MEM focuses on environmental resource management and policy.
- What is the difference between MSSM and environment degrees in other schools in the Philippines?
In the Philippines, environment degrees being offered have a stronger base in the natural and social sciences.
- Do I need to take pre-requisites to enroll for MSSM?
Graduates of a management course generally do not need additional courses. Graduates from other degrees would need the following pre-requisite courses:
- 3 units of Finance and Accounting (Acc 15 or its equivalent)
- 3 units of Organizational Behavior (L&S 100 or equivalent)
- 3 units of Marketing (Mkt 101/102/103 or equivalent)
- 3 units of IT (ITM 11/14, CS 30, or equivalent)
- 3 units of Economics (Ec 102 or equivalent)
- 3 units of Statistics (QMT 11/12/109 or equivalent)
- 3 units of Operations Management (POM 102/104/105 or equivalent)
- 3 units of Science and Society (Sci 10 or equivalent)
The Program Director will evaluate the candidate's transcript and will recommend pre-requisites as may be necessary.
- What courses would I need to take for MSSM?
MSSM has 12 courses (3 required, 6 major, 3 electives); Integrative Case Study; and a thesis.
Required Courses (3 x 3 units)
- LAS 220: Principles of Strategic Management
- ECON 271: Applied Economics for Managers (pre-requisite: Basic/undergraduate Eco)
- SOMGT 292: Research Methods (or any 3-unit research method course from Psychology, Economics, Sociology-Anthropology, or Mathematics relevant to future research and approved by the academic adviser)
Major Courses (6 x 3 units)
The major courses define the specialization of the degree program. Outputs of these courses should contribute to the Thesis.
- DEC 242.50: Systems Thinking for Sustainability
- OPMAN 246.10: Introduction to Industrial Ecology
- FINN 240: Environmental Finance
- ACCT 240: Green Accounting
- ACCT 241: Sustainability Reporting
- SOMGT 299.12: Research Report (Thesis Proposal)
Electives (3 x 3 units)
The electives should strengthen the student s competencies in sustainability management. Electives may also be taken from other departments, upon the approval of the adviser. Examples are found below:
- Research Methods from Economics, Psychology, Sociology-Anthropology
- ACCT 241.60: Greenhouse Gas Reporting
- LAS 240.60: Corporate Sustainability
- LAS 240.61: Business Continuity, Sustainability and Innovation
- LAS 214: Leadership and Management Communication
- LAS 240.62: Business Negotiation for Sustainability
- LLAW 223.03: Philippine Laws on Sustainability and Innovation
- Other 200-level courses from JGSOM, DS, ES, Economics, Psychology, Sociology-Anthropology, and Development Studies with approval of academic adviser
- How do I apply for the MSSM program?
Proceed to the Office of the Associate Dean for Graduate Programs to process your application for MSSM. This will include an admission test, the submission of application requirements, and an interview.
- What does the Program of Study look like?
Below is a sample Program of Study for a full-time MS in Sustainability Management student:
| Yr 1 Sem 1 | Yr 1 Sem 2 |
| LAS 220 Principles of Strategic Management | FINN 240 Environmental Finance |
| ECON 271 Applied Economics for Managers | ACCT 240 Green Accounting |
| DECSCI 242.50 Systems Thinking for Sustainability | ACCT 241 Sustainability Reporting |
| OPMAN 246.10 Industrial Ecology | SOMGT 292 Research Methods |
| Elective 1 (preferably a Research Methods course) | Elective 2 |
| Intersession Yr 1 | |
| Elective 3 | |
| SOMGT 299.12 Research Report (Proposal Defense) | |
| Yr 2 Sem 1 | Yr 2 Sem 2 |
| Integrative Case Study | SOMGT 299.1 Thesis 1 |
| Intersession Yr 2 | |
| SOMGT 299.2 Thesis 2 | |
Contact Information
MS in Sustainability Management program
Raquel C Olpoc
Program Director
ms.sustainability.jgsom@ateneo.edu