Duquesne University - Palumbo-Donahue School of Business

About this program

Consistently ranked in the Top 10 in the United States by Corporate Knights for preparing graduates to "change the world and improve the business climate," our One-Year MBA in Sustainable Business Practices provides you with a transformative education to jump- start your career. As a student, you will tackle groundbreaking consulting projects, collaborating with executives to launch profitable new products and inspire innovation. Accredited by AACSB, the one-year format integrates multiple dimensions of sustainability, embodying the United Nations' Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME). Our curriculum focuses on the integrated bottom line, design thinking, and ethics with the goal of creating a better society for all. Students take part in Net Impact, case competitions, and professional development activities. Our global business trip provides a unique opportunity to collaborate with overseas executives and conduct fieldwork with MBA students from partner universities. Trips include corporate site visits and meetings with academic leaders to discuss pressing regional issues. Recent topics include eco-tourism in the Amazon rainforest, food supply challenges in India, and smart cities in Scandinavia.

• Year partnership began: None
• Fellowships awarded per year (average): 1

Application requirements

The One-Year MBA Sustainable Business Practices program accepts students for the summer semester, with the program starting in late May or early June. We take a holistic approach in reviewing applications. The following are required for admissions consideration:

• Official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate (if applicable) schools attended. An undergraduate degree in business is not required for admission.
• A 3.0 or better GPA is preferred for admissions consideration.
• Resume outlining your professional work experience, educational background and roles and responsibilities.
• Three application essays: 1. Why are you interested in pursuing an MBA emphasizing sustainable business practices? 2. How has your background prepared you for the challenges of graduate business study and next generation leadership? 3. Tell us about a time when you overcame a significant challenge. Describe the situation, the process for resolving it, any action you took and the outcome.
• Two letters of recommendation (professional or academic).
• An admissions interview is required.

Admissions process

To be considered for admission, complete the application process and include a copy of your Peace Corps Description of Service. When completing your application, please be sure to indicate your Peace Corps service.

Degrees awarded

Master of Business Administration in Sustainable Business Practices

Benefits and opportunities

Net cost is equal to tuition/fees minus fellowship value. For some universities, the fellowship value includes non-tuition/fee benefits such as health insurance or housing. See cost savings details for more.

Estimated annual cost of living: $14,000

Cost savings details

Peace Corps Fellows receive up to $27,000 ($9,000 per semester) in scholarships and fellowships and contribute 10 hours per week (community service internship) to designing and leading a social, financial or environmental initiative for an underserved population under the guidance of community mentors and faculty.

Internship

As part of the Coverdell Fellows program, all Peace Corps Fellows participate in supervised, professional internships in underserved American communities. These internships give you the opportunity to continue to live out your ethic of service while also developing significant professional skills and contacts to further your career. Returned Peace Corps Fellows receive up to $27,000 ($9,000 per semester) in scholarships and fellowships and contribute 10 hours per week (community service internship) to designing and leading a social, financial or environmental initiative for an underserved population under the guidance of community mentors and faculty. Fellows are encouraged to share knowledge from their international and community service by authoring/coauthoring papers for publication or presenting at conferences or community events. To be considered for admission, complete an online application form and submit standardized test scores, essays, recommendations, a resume/CV and a copy of your Peace Corps Description of Service. When completing your application, please be sure to indicate your Peace Corps service.

Other opportunities

Jobs for alumni

Graduates of the One-Year MBA in Sustainable Business Practices are managing integrated bottom lines at many organizations in diverse sectors. They have leadership roles in project management, consulting, supply chain, policy development, marketing, finance, manufacturing, information technology, among others. Many oversee sustainability councils, green teams and community initiatives. Some are creating value as social entrepreneurs. Recent placement of our graduates includes: Š Alcoa, American Eagle Outfitters, Bayer, BNY Mellon, Carbon Disclosure Project, CONSOL Energy, Deloitte, EQT Corporation, Ernst & Young, Federated Investors, FedEx Ground, Herman Miller, Highmark, JP Morgan Chase, KPMG, Kraft Heinz Company, PNC Bank, Peoples Gas, PPG Industries, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Schneider Downs, UPMC, U.S. Steel.

Nontraditional options