Business and Sustainability Concentration

This concentration prepares students to affect pro-sustainability change within and through the private sector, including topics such as triple bottom line business practices, circular economies and creating shared value.

This concentration prepares students to affect pro-sustainability change within and through the private sector, including topics such as triple bottom line business practices, circular economies and creating shared value. Students have the opportunity to develop marketable skills in accounting, organizational and project management while addressing complex challenges of “doing well by doing good.” Students seeking to be consumer advocates, ecological innovators, social entrepreneurs or intrapreneurs will explore plentiful opportunities to put their ideals, knowledge and skills to practice through profitable sustainability initiatives.

The requirements for this concentration, depending on the electives chosen, may satisfy the college BA requirement in philosophy and religious studies (PHIL 243, PHIL 305).

Students who have already taken and received credit for MGMT 301/303 or OM 301/303 shall substitute MGMT 301/303 for MBUS 301 and OM 301/303 for MBUS 306. Both courses cannot be taken for credit. Students who have taken and received credit for both ACCT 203 and FNAN 301 shall substitute the combination for MBUS 300. All three courses cannot be taken for credit.

For this concentration, students may substitute OM 210 or OM 211 for SOCI 313 (core requirement for degree). Students cannot receive credit for more than one of these.

Mason offers many Accelerated Master's Programs that allow students to earn a bachelor's and master's degrees in as little as 5 years. Click here to learn more about the different degree programs. 

Major Map

  First Year Middle Years Last Year
Academics

Take required courses  

Make a connection with a professor  

Meet with your academic advisor at least once each semester your first year 

Small classroom learning in this major

Scholarships 

 

Meet with your advisor to choose courses and stay on track with meeting degree requirements

Declare/consider declaring your concentration

Consider a double major or a minor

Is a Bachelor to Accelerated Master's (BAM) program right for you? Apply as early as 60 credits!

Reach out to faculty for research mentorship. 

 

Work closely with your advisor to verify you are meeting your graduation requirements. 

Apply for graduation

Consider taking internship courses

Consider submitting your research to CHSS Research Symposium 

 

Career and Professional Prep

Visit the Career Services Center to start research on the types of jobs or industries you may find interesting (ex. Nonprofit, Sustainability, and more)  

Build a resume and LinkedIn profile to continue career exploration and develop your professional persona.  

Activate your Handshake profile to explore and opt-in to industry email lists.

Start talking to professionals and faculty members via informational interviews to gain insight on their path through their career  

Enroll in INTS 420: College to Career Skills

Look for internship opportunities using University Career Services and Handshake

Have an internship? Receive credit for internship

Discuss with multiple faculty and current professionals in the work force whether graduate school might be the right path for you

Consider graduate or professional schools in the United States or abroad.

Prepare standardized admission tests for graduate or professional schools, if necessary.

Apply for scholarships and fellowships

Create your own Career Advisory Board (pdf)

Join student organizations related to your career field

Talk to your professors about your goals, and ask them about job or internship opportunities

Connect with Mason alums who share your career interests and have a career conversation (docx) with them

Use job search sites specific to your career field

Attend career fairs and employer events where you can meet multiple representatives

International Students: Be informed of the latest immigration compliance rules and regulations for on-campus and off-campus work authorization. Contact the Office of International Programs and Services (OIPS) for more information. 

 

 

Specify prospective employers and create a job or graduate school search strategy at least 9 months before graduation

Finalize materials for post-graduation employment (such as your LinkedIn page, a portfolio, etc)

For graduate school applications, prepare statement of purpose/goals statement, resume and/or CV, and notify the writers of your letters of recommendation before application deadlines 

 

Experiences

Attend a meeting of (department-sponsored student club) to meet fellow majors and get involved in LinkedIn

Consider joining at least one Mason student org. Check them all out on Mason 360

Look ahead to planning a student abroad program through the Global Education Office 

Meet people and become involved in the life of the college. Events & News for your major  

Strengthen your leadership competency.  

Become a CHSS Ambassador.

Become a CHSS Undergraduate Learning Assistant 

 

Attend a regional or national research conference (Search for student discounts or complimentary for conference registration)

Join professional associations (student discount membership may be available) 

 

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Business Environment