Sustainable Innovation MBA

Program Overview

The Sustainable Innovation MBA (SI-MBA) at the University of Vermont Grossman School of Business is the leading program for emerging change-makers who believe business can, and must, become a force for good. Our accelerated,  one-year program integrates sustainable business practices across disciplines, focusing on the essential toolkit needed to manage — and transform — business. 

SI-MBA graduates jump back into the world making an impact in half the time than and with half the tuition needed for a more traditional MBA. They 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. 

During the full-time, on-campus program, SI-MBA students gain unique access to Vermont’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Students learn from sustainable business leaders working to transform business into a force for good. We continually revise our curriculum and extracurricular activities with input from leading sustainability thought leaders. The SI-MBA experience is capped off with a practicum project, where students work on consulting engagements within sustainable businesses across Vermont, the US, and beyond. 

Our program has been and continues to be the U.S.’s highest ranked green MBA program accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), the most prestigious accrediting body for business programs. Only 5% of programs worldwide earn this honor. AACSB accreditation means that our curriculum, faculty, and program governance regularly pass an in-depth review by academic business experts.

Businesses of the future need to work for people and the planet. For that to happen, we need to evolve how business is taught. That’s what we’re here to do. Change is our business.

Curriculum

Modules and courses

The program is structured in 4 modules of 8 weeks each. Each module comprises a series of short, intense courses. The students in each cohort learn and grow together as a cohesive group, and form lifelong professional and personal relationships.

Every course integrates discussion on how to embed socially responsible practices in business. Students explore the ethical considerations business leaders must address to build value in multistakeholder environments, and learn from business cases drawn from around the globe.

Sustainability Innovation MBA curriculum

Summer Preparation

• Introduction to Sustainable Business

Foundations of Management

• Business Strategy for a Sustainable World
• Finance for Innovators I
• Sustainable Brand Marketing
• Business Economics
• Financial Accounting for Sustainable Enterprises
• Sustainable Family Enterprise
• Data Visualization

Building a Sustainable Enterprise

• From CSR to Sustainable Value Creation
• Business Sustainability and Public Policy
• Teams, Collaboration & Inner Sustainability
• Sustainability Toolkit Workshops
• Finance for Innovators II
• Cost Models for the Transformational Enterprise
• Data Analytics for Sustainable Businesses

Growing a Sustainable Enterprise

• Sustainable Operations and Green Supply Chains
• Financing a Sustainable Venture
• Crafting the Entrepreneurial Business Model
• Sustainable Strategy I
• Sustainability Toolkit Workshops II
• Sustainability Consulting

Focusing on Sustainability and Innovation

• Driving Sustainable Change
• Driving Innovation from Base of the Pyramid
• Innovation Strategy: From Idea to Market
• Sustainable Strategy II
• Sustainable Products Branding & Marketing
• ESG Reporting: A Primer
• Sustainable Toolkit Workshops III

Sustainable Innovation in Action

• Summer Practicum Project
• Law as a Framework for Entrepreneurial Business
   

Innovators in Residence

To complement the core curriculum, the program also incorporates sustainable business leaders in the classroom through the Innovator in Residence speaker series. 

Deadlines

The Sustainable Innovation MBA program is an intensive one-year accelerated degree, starting at the end of August. Admission to the program is on a rolling basis.

Applications for the 2025-26 cohort close July 12, 2025.
International student applications close June 22, 2025.

Be sure to click “submit” on the application before these dates. View Admissions Requirements for details.

Admissions

Due to the interdisciplinary nature of the program, applicants are drawn from a broad range of backgrounds and therefore we have no particular prerequisites in regards to prior coursework or degrees. We welcome applicants directly out of undergraduate programs who demonstrate one or more of the following in their application: a strong academic record, internship or other work experience, extracurricular involvement and/or research experience.

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.

To help prepare our students for success in the program, all incoming Sustainable Innovation MBA students are required to complete MBA 6990 Introduction to Sustainable Business. This course is an Introduction to Sustainable Business along with MBA Math, an online course that helps students get ready for the MBA quant core. The class sessions will take place during Orientation Week while MBA Math is to be completed at your own pace throughout the summer. Depending on your quantitative background, we may accept you conditionally and request that you take an additional quant course before enrolling in the program. Further information will be provided upon admission.

Apply to the SI-MBA Program

Apply to the Sustainable Innovation MBA at the University of Vermont Grossman School of Business. Learn more about SI-MBA tuition and scholarship opportunities. Once you begin the application, you will find detailed instructions about the SI-MBA application requirements and process on the University of Vermont Graduate College application portal. You do not need to apply all in one session; you'll have the option to save and return to it later. 

If you have any questions before starting your application, email the SI-MBA team at SI-MBA@uvm.edu. 

Application Fee Waiver Form

The University of Vermont’s Graduate College offers a waiver of the $65 application fee for a number of organizations. View additional application fee waiver opportunities offered by the UVM Graduate College. Waiver requests through the Graduate College or MBA program must be submitted before completing an application; no refunds will be given for payment of the application fee.

Outcomes

When you graduate from the SI-MBA program, you join a community of changemakers that transcends graduation cohort, united by a shared belief in the power of business to change the world. Our alumni network is growing fast but remains closely connected. Our alumni launch from our Burlington, Vermont campus to different sectors in business and NGOs around the world. Our alumni are creating impact.

More

Our Values

Business as usual is not an option. Our vision is for business to be a catalyst for change. Learn more about our values.

Upcoming Events

The Sustainable Innovation MBA (SI-MBA) program hosts open events throughout the year. Join us for a SI-MBA event and become a force for good. Explore upcoming events.

Our Team

Meet our team.

The SI-MBA Podcast

Listen to the Latest Episode

Get Our E-book

Change is our business. View our e-book.

How to Apply

Apply to the Sustainable Innovation MBA at the University of Vermont Grossman School of Business. View detailed instructions on the SI-MBA application requirements and process to apply online. Learn more about SI-MBA tuition and scholarship opportunities.