Master of Science in Environment and Sustainability Management (MS-ESM) Viewbook
Science + Business:
MORE POWERFUL TOGETHER
Turn Your Education Into Impact
If there was ever a time for science and business to come together, this is it.
Climate change is rapidly altering our world, presenting not only significant risk and disruption but also significant opportunities for innovation — and the potential to make a positive impact on our world.
Our planet, and everyone and everything on it, is at a critical juncture. For more than 200 years, Georgetown University graduates have led the way in times of uncertainty, and in that spirit, we designed a program to prepare our students to lead society toward a more sustainable, just, and prosperous future.
With these ideals in mind, Georgetown created its M.S. in Environment and Sustainability Management (MS-ESM) degree to approach sustainability from both a scientific and business perspective, empowering our graduates to be the changemakers the world needs.
I invite you to join our program and to use your education to make a strategic impact.
Kerrie Carfagno Associate Teaching Professor Program Director, MS-ESM
Introduction
At Georgetown University, we know sustainability is connected to too many things to be siloed. We know revenue growth and protecting the environment are both possible. You don’t need to choose to study only business or science to make an impact.
Our STEM-designated MS-ESM program combines scientific knowledge with business principles to prepare you to create a more sustainable and just world. Jointly offered by Georgetown’s Earth Commons Institute, McDonough School of Business, and Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, the MS-ESM degree leverages Georgetown’s worldrenowned faculty across disciplines to provide you with the comprehensive knowledge and hands-on experience needed to manage the sustainability of your organizations in order to increase value while simultaneously supporting our natural environment.
30 credits
10 months
2 disciplines of mastery
Curriculum
Summer Term (Opening Residency - Early/Mid-August)
Environment, Business, and Sustainability Management (3 credits)
Leading Teams for Performance and Impact (1.5 credits)
Finance for Sustainability Management (1.5 credits)
Fall Semester (Mod 1 and Mod 2)
ESG Investing (1.5 credits)
Environmental Science I: Earth Systems and Natural Processes (3 credits)
Accounting for Sustainability Management (1.5 credits)
Drawing Inference from Environmental Data to Lead Change (1.5 credits)
Climate Impact and Measurement (1.5 credits)
Environmental Data Visualization and Story Telling (1.5 credits)
We believe in learning by doing, which is why our curriculum includes a mix of complex coursework, experiential learning, and in-depth case studies to help you develop fundamental business skills and scientific knowledge. And you won’t just be an observer: you’ll apply what you learn throughout the program to solve real-world problems. You will graduate with the knowledge and confidence to market yourself along with your ideas.
March ILE* (Early March)
Economics of Climate Change (1.5 credits)
Spring Semester
(Mod 3 & Mod 4)
Environmentally Sustainable Operations and Business Models (1.5 credits) Firm Analysis and Strategy (1.5 credits)
Environmental Science II: Natural and Human Interactions (3 credits)
Business of Sustainable Energy and Technology (1.5 credits) Energy Transitions (1.5 credits)
Over 10 months, you will complete 16 courses (30 credits) covering a range of science and business topics. Courses are delivered in-person on Georgetown’s Capitol Campus in a modular format, with skill-building courses spanning six weeks and science-oriented courses running for a full 15-week semester. The program concludes with the Capstone Course where students draw from the entirety of the program as they consult for a partner organization. Color Coded Course Themes:
Capstone Course
The Capstone Course develops hands-on experiential learning by having students work in small teams on real-life challenges at the intersection of business and sustainability presented by partner organizations. Similar to professional consulting projects, the teams present their findings and implementation steps to their organization’s leadership team at the conclusion of the course. Companies and organizations that have participated in the past include Amazon, Blommer Chocolate Company, Estée Lauder, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Starbucks, and the U.S. Department of Energy.
Invest in Your Career, and the Planet
An increasing number of organizations seek to build sustainability into their core mission and day-to-day operations. As more companies embrace the benefits of the green economy, organizations are looking for leaders who can speak the languages of both science and business to make the business case for sustainability.
CAREER COACHING
The MS-ESM program provides students the opportunity to work with dedicated career coaches in the McDonough Career Center. Throughout the program, students work directly with the assistant director of MS-ESM career management to identify career paths and career goals, plan and execute useful networking and interviewing strategies, and develop resumes and cover letters. Students have access to one-on-one career coaching appointments, workshops, and tailored career sessions to support them in developing an effective job search strategy. Students also have access to many resources at the Graduate Career Center.
CURRICULA
Our coursework creates a foundation to help students clarify their goals, build their career story, create an impactful resume and cover letter, and identify suitable industries and functions. The MS-ESM career curriculum identifies and closes gaps to help students achieve their career goals and turn their education into action with a valued mix of scientific and business-focused content.
NETWORKING
Learn how to connect with Georgetown’s robust network of more than 200,000 alumni around the world. Students can participate in career fairs, employer events, and other initiatives open to the Georgetown community.
Whether you are looking to switch careers or advance on your current path, you will have the full support of the Georgetown community behind you.
Student Experience, Community, and Diversity
STUDENT EXPERIENCE
MS-ESM students take all of their classes together in a cohort. This dynamic learning model emphasizes collaboration and forges strong bonds with peers from all over the globe, as well as between students and faculty. The incredible support system at Georgetown will last well beyond your graduation.
Outside of the classroom, MS-ESM students have access to both McDonough School of Business and Graduate School of Arts and Sciences offerings. This includes access to 80+ graduate student clubs in addition to various centers, institutes, and initiatives. Some of our club offerings include:
Industry Organizations
AfriKa: African Policy Student Association
Analytics for Nonprofits
Finance Club
Georgetown Design & Innovation
Georgetown Energy & Cleantech Club
Georgetown FinTech
Georgetown FAST (Foreign Affairs, Science, and Technology)
Georgetown Investment Fund
Georgetown Net Impact
Georgetown Operations & Management Association
GreenUp
HoyAlytics
Affinity Organizations
Asian Business Student Alliance
Black Graduate Student Association
Chinese Students Association
Georgetown Japan Society
Georgetown Korean Business Association
Georgetown Women in Business (GWiB)
Georgetown Women in Science & Education
GradPride
Graduate Association of Mexican Students
Jewish Business Alliance
McDonough Military Association Club
Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Forum
Out@MSB
South Asian Business Alliance (SABA)
The European Business Association
Women in Public Policy Initiative
Social and Special Interest Organizations
Georgetown Gourmet Society
Georgetown Wine Society
Georgetown Tabletop Games Club
Georgetown Explorers Club
COMMUNITY AND DIVERSITY
Building a diverse community is essential to the MS-ESM experience. In order to achieve true climate justice, it’s imperative to have an intersectional understanding of the world around you. From day one, students work with and learn from peers offering a variety of professional, personal, and cultural perspectives. Our Georgetown identity is rooted in Jesuit principles of equality and respect for everyone, and when we talk about caring for the whole person, we mean it. We’re here to help you accomplish your goals while valuing your identity along the way.
MS-ESM Class of 2025
Washington, D.C., Access
THE ULTIMATE LEARNING LABORATORY
While learning and working toward a career focused on protecting the environment, enjoy the access only Washington, D.C., can offer to thought leaders, policymakers, industry experts, transnational organizations, global corporations, nonprofits, and government entities.
Situated at Georgetown’s Capitol Campus, students gain exposure to immersive learning experiences and unparalleled access to organizations and policymakers in the heart of Washington, D.C. MS-ESM students have the opportunity to build connections with Georgetown’s other top schools and engage in events and research opportunities with centers located at the Capitol Campus, including The Earth Commons Institute.
With green buses, an extensive public transportation system, and over 100 miles of bike lanes, D.C. provides students with a variety of environmentally-friendly transportation options.
Washington also prides itself on leadership in sustainability, being the first LEED Platinum City in the world, according to the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).
ACCESS TO THOUGHT LEADERS
Georgetown University connects you to leaders from business, government, and beyond. Recent speakers include:
Susan Kolodziejczyk Senior Manager of Sustainability, National Geographic
Peter Blommer (C’85) Vice Chairman, Blommer Chocolate
Lauren Riley Chief Sustainability Officer, United Airlines
Kristalina Georgieva CEO, The World Bank and environmental economist
Chris Nassetta President and CEO, Hilton Worldwide
Sally Gilligan (B’94) Chief Supply Chain, Strategy & Transformation Officer, Gap Inc.
Danielle Solomon Nkojo Sustainability Lead Ralph Lauren
Alumni
Tristan Gess (MS-ESM’23) Federal Consultant, IBM
“Engaging in a capstone project was instrumental in my professional development journey. Through this intensive endeavor, I honed essential skills such as project management, critical thinking, and collaboration. The capstone provided a platform for applying theoretical knowledge to real-world scenarios, fostering a deeper understanding of my field and its practical implications. Moreover, navigating the complexities of the capstone project strengthened my problem-solving abilities and resilience, equipping me with valuable tools for tackling challenges in my career. ”
Shagai Mandakbayer (MS-ESM’23) Senior Program Officer, World Wildlife Fund
“The MS-ESM program empowered me with essential foundational knowledge in climate change and environmental science. By delving into topics such as biodiversity conservation and ecosystem services in the context of climate change, along with exploring diverse strategies for mitigation and adaptation, I gained a deeper understanding of the projects we execute and the broader field. The program’s interdisciplinary curriculum was particularly valuable, enabling me to leverage my prior experience and background to the fullest extent.”
SAMPLE OF COMPANIES HIRING MS-ESM GRADUATES
Deloitte Edelman
Federal Aviation Administration
IBM
Microsoft
U.S. Department of Energy
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
World Wildlife Foundation
Georgetown University
M.S. in Environment and Sustainability Management (MS-ESM)
359 Rafik B. Hariri Building 37th and O Streets, NW Washington, DC 20057
