All students must meet the Requirements for the Master's Degree
Overview
The Sustainable Innovation MBA at the University of Vermont is the leading program for emerging changemakers who believe business can – and must – become a force for good.
The accelerated, 12-month program integrates sustainable business practices across disciplines, focusing on the tools needed to manage business today and lead through change tomorrow. Sustainable Innovation MBA graduates jump back into work with the knowledge and skills they need to become change agents in fields as diverse as impact investing, sustainable development, mission-driven marketing, supply chain management, nonprofit management, and other socially responsible business functions.
The program requires the successful completion of 45 credit hours, which are structured across an online asynchronous course taught in August, 4 8-week modules that each comprise multiple courses, and a 3-month summer capstone practicum project. All courses cover topics and tools for the creation of a more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable economy. Courses and other co-curricular experiences are delivered by faculty and thought leaders drawn from the Grossman School of Business, other UVM units, and the local and global business communities.
All students take the same courses at the same time. Given the nature of this accelerated one-year M.B.A. program, students are expected to be engaged in their coursework on a full-time, in-person basis.
Specific Requirements
Requirements for Admission to Graduate Studies the Degree of Master of Business Administration
Admissions preference will be given to applicants who have 3 or more years of work experience in for-profit, non-profit, and/or government positions. Applicants with international exposure, and entrepreneurial and/or managerial experience are especially encouraged.
Due to the interdisciplinary nature of the program, applicants are drawn from a broad range of backgrounds and there are no particular prerequisites in regards to prior coursework or degree programs. A bachelor's degree is required. Each applicant is evaluated holistically, focusing on the applicant’s achievements and strengths as a person, which include but extend well beyond a collection of academic transcripts, test scores, and work experience.
GMAT or GRE scores are not required, but applicants are welcome to submit test scores if they feel it will strengthen their application. Applicants often submit test scores when they have a less strong academic record, or little to no quantitative coursework. Applicants for whom English is not their primary language are required to submit proof of English proficiency. The UVM Graduate College requires a minimum TOEFL score of 90, an IELTS score of 6.5, or a Duolingo score of 110. Application requirements also include 3 letters of reference and a statement of purpose.
Minimum Degree Requirements
To support the success of a diverse student body with varying levels of prior exposure to basic but core skills in business statistics, microeconomics, accounting, finance and spreadsheets, the program covers the cost of a required MBA Math course (www.mbamath.com). Admitted students who have paid their non-refundable deposit are invited to begin this self-paced, online course as early as June 1 of the year in which they enroll in the program. Before the start of Module 1 in late August, each student is required to achieve 80% or higher on each MBA Math quiz, and an average quiz grade of 85% or higher. All tutorials and quizzes can be revisited and completed multiple times, and in any order. In exceptional circumstances, timeline extensions to meet these requirements can be granted at the discretion of a Program Director.
Required courses:
| MBA 6990 | Special Topics (Business Fundamentals (Online, Self-Paced)) | 1 |
| MODULE 1 | ||
| MBA 6010 | Foundations of Management | 10 |
| MODULE 2 | ||
| MBA 6020 | Bldg a Sustainable Enterprise | 9 |
| MODULE 3 | ||
| MBA 6030 | Growth of Sust Enterprise | 9 |
| MODULE 4 | ||
| MBA 6040 | Focusing on Sustainability | 9 |
| MODULE 5 | ||
| MBA 6050 | Sus Entrepreneurship in Action | 6 |
Comprehensive Examination
Successful completion of the summer practicum in Module 5 will be considered as fulfilling the Graduate College requirement that all Master's degree students pass a comprehensive examination in their field of specialization.
Requirements for Advancement to Candidacy for the Degree of Master of Business Administration
Successful completion of all courses with a minimum GPA of 3.00.