Diploma in Sustainable Business
A joint degree by University St. Gallen and Business School Lausanne for engaged future leaders in business and beyond.
In collaboration with the World Business Council for Sustainable Development
Program Overview
The 1-year executive part-time program seeks to inspire and train change agents with a broad understanding in global sustainability and provide them with practical skills to develop and implement solutions for sustainability issues in organizations. The program is innovative in its approach as it is built with and around multiple actors in sustainability. More than 50% of the program is taught outside the classroom involving multiple stakeholders.
Structure
This innovative program provides participants with a unique opportunity to reflect on the major challenges our planet, society and businesses are facing in the coming decades. Participants will evaluate how companies can adapt their strategy and operations to embrace the sustainability challenges and to manage the risks and opportunities in a responsible way.
The 3 perspectives
Rather than looking at sustainability from the business perspective alone, the program approaches sustainability from three different perspectives:
1. Global Challenges: understanding the sustainability challenges we, as a global community are facing today and in the coming decades
2. Strategic Implications: evaluating how business can contribute to resolve them through innovative strategies
3. Business Impact – translating sustainability strategies across business functions
To maximize learning, the modules are designed to touch upon these three perspectives in three action learning rounds. This enables participants to deepen their understanding of each perspective with every round.
The 3 learning dimensions
1. Subject competence: Exposure to the best current knowledge in the global and business sustainability fields provides the foundation for understanding and managing the sustainability challenges.
2. Leading change skills: Implementation and change management skills are critical to bring sustainability to business. To ensure this, the “Leading Change” dimension forms an integral part of every session.
3. Project experience: Sustainability projects are conducted in a collaborative work space and form the backbone of the program. These projects are conducted in collaboration with companies, communities or NGOs. Learning across the program is applied to these projects step-by-step. They qualify participants as professionals in sustainable business.
Rather than writing a thesis, participants will work in a small team to apply these insights to a real-life project thereby applying directly what they learn.
How to Apply
Please submit a signed application form and all required supplements to das@bsl-lausanne.ch. Your application will be reviewed by the Program Direction and you will be invited for an interview (by phone or in person).
Applications are accepted from May 2011. As the number of participants is limited, we encourage you to send your complete application file for consideration as soon as possible. Applications will be considered in the order received.
Duration
The Diploma in Sustainable Business takes 10 months to complete
Next Starting Date
September 2012
Program Cost
18,000 CHF (introductory offer)
We are looking for company sponsors who provide real-life sustainability project (cost to company: 18,000 CHF). A candidate who brings a company project that is accepted by the Program Direction receives a discount of 6,000 CHF.
Program Eligibility
Please note that this program is designed for participants/professionals working in Switzerland or neighbouring countries or for participants/professionals having the possibility to travel for each module. For participants needing a visa, the MBA in Sustainable Business is the appropriate program to apply for.
Accreditation
The program is accredited by the University of St. Gallen and by BSL.