International Publication Calls MBA Sustainability Program One of the World’s Top 10

In the face of global climate change and resource challenges, Duquesne’s MBA with a focus on sustainability has again been ranked as one of the world’s best MBA programs for future leaders.

Corporate Knights, a quarterly international publication focused on social, economic and ecological benefits and costs, released its 2015 Better World MBA ranking, listing the Donahue Graduate School of Business as No. 10 among MBA programs worldwide and No. 4 among U.S. schools, just behind Harvard Business School.

“Increasingly, companies everywhere are realizing that sustainability and business excellence are synonymous,” said Dr. Dean McFarlin, business school dean. “Consequently, we are very pleased that Corporate Knights has recognized the extraordinary program we have built thanks to the passionate commitment of our faculty.”

The ranking highlighted 121 institutions around the globe, looking at the best packages of core courses, research and support centers to foster sustainability-oriented learning.

“… The Better World MBA ranking aims to identify which MBAs best prepare graduates to change the world for the better and succeed in this shifting business climate,” the publication said.

Duquesne’s full-time, one-year MBA with a sustainability focus emphasizes the integrated management of financial, social, environmental and informational resources within the decision-making process. In addition, students develop leadership skills through consulting projects, ethical decision making, global study trips and capstone practicums.

“The foundation of what we offer is a slate of distinctive and engaging consulting projects with an impressive array of client organizations,” McFarlin said. “These projects and the innovative curriculum that supports them are among the reasons why students’ learning experiences have such impact and are attractive to employers. Ultimately, the firms that integrate sustainability principles into everything they do are positioning themselves well for long-term competitive advantage.”

This recognition marks the program’s eighth consecutive year of being recognized internationally for developing and delivering an innovative program that helps future business leaders look beyond only financial outcomes, said Dr. Robert Sroufe, the Murrin Chair in Global Competitiveness and the program’s professor of sustainability and supply chain management. “Our students are poised to enter any organization with a practical and integrated approach to decision making, experience in the field and proven sustainable business practices,” Sroufe said.

As Corporate Knights noted, “…These top schools are–compared to their peers–tops at teaching corporate leaders of tomorrow how to hit the ground running.”