Sustainability Master of Business Administration
Program Overview
As a Sustainability Master of Business Administration (SMBA) student you will experience Evergreen's model of interdisciplinary learning — combining sustainable practices with traditional business teachings.
In this program you will partner with faculty, peers, and industry leaders to engage in case studies, gameplay, and project-based learning. By studying topics like innovative business models, data analysis for sustainability, tribal business, and circular design you will deepen your skills and become the architect of a better future.
Complete this fully-online Masters degree studying full-time for two years or part-time for three years.
Applications Open August 2026
Summer 2026
SMBA Information Sessions
June 29 & July 27
6 - 7 pm on Zoom
Two information sessions are being hosted during the summer of 2026. During these info sessions, participants will receive a thorough overview of the SMBA Program in a 50-minute presentation and will have their questions answered as they arise. Register for an upcoming session on Zoom.
Expectations of an SMBA Graduate
At the end of our program, graduates should…
- Adopt a mindset that values long-term impacts across social, environmental, and economic dimensions
- Apply a holistic approach to sustainable and regenerative business development
- Conduct evidence-informed analysis and utilize management strategies that support sustainability throughout an enterprise's system
- Approach financial decision-making through a lens that sees a holistic picture of an enterprise’s success regarding social responsibility, environmental stewardship, and economic prosperity
- Demonstrate transformative leadership through effective communication, robust stakeholder engagement, collaborative teamwork, responsive project management, self-directed and continuous learning, preventative self-care, and more
Career Paths
What can you do with your degree? Evergreen's SMBA will prepare you for sustainability-focused careers in:
- Assessment and Reporting
- Impact-Driven Marketing
- Supply Chain Management
- Impact Investing
- Social Enterprise Development
- Business Consulting and Management
- Socially Responsible Business and Product Development
- and More...
Program Support
For further questions about SMBA
To speak with someone one-on-one about your interests and questions, please schedule an appointment with the SMBA Assistant Director at a time that works for you. Use the bookings link below to schedule an in-person, Zoom, or phone appointment.
Book an Appointment with the SMBA Assistant Director (Outlook)
SMBA Degree Requirements
The SMBA requires 60 credits for degree completion, with full-time students completing 10 credits during the fall, winter, and spring quarters of Year 2 (including a culminating 6-credit capstone in their final spring quarter of Year 2).
- Full-time students will complete the degree in 2 years, including Fall, Winter, and Spring quarters, for a total of 6 quarters
- Part-time students will take varying credit loads over 3 years to complete the degree
SMBA Program Credit Overview
60 total credits
| SMBA Program Credits | |
|---|---|
| Program Parts | Credits |
| Core Courses | 36 |
| Additional Courses | 18 |
| Capstone | 6 |
| Total Credits | 60 |
Core Courses
6 credits per quarter
Core courses are 6 credits per quarter and must be taken in the following order:
- Foundations in Environmental and Social Responsibility
- Business Development, Design, Marketing, and Innovation for Sustainability
- The Green Business Lab: Strategic Sustainability, Decision Making, and Leadership (Year 1 Project)
- Accounting and Finance for the Triple Bottom Line
- Sustainable Supply Chain Management and Strategic Sustainability Reporting
- SMBA Student Capstone (Year 2 Capstone Experience)
Additional Courses
4 credits per quarter
Additional required courses are 4 credits per quarter:
- Introduction to Sustainability and Business
- Data Analysis and Visualization for Sustainability I & II
- Alternative Models for Social Change, Participatory Governance and Decision Making
In addition, students choose among the following courses to complete their SMBA degree:
- Tribal Economics (MPA course) or Regenerative/Ecological Economics
- Transformative Leadership & Management, Eco-Entrepreneurship, Tribal Business, any MPA 4-credit elective, or any two 2-credit MPA electives
SMBA Sample Schedules
Full-Time SMBA
2 year program
| Year 1 Full-Time 30 credits | ||
|---|---|---|
| Quarter | Courses | Course Credits |
| Fall 10 credits | Foundations in Sustainability | 6 |
| Intro to Sustainability & Business | 4 | |
| Winter 10 credits | Business Development, Design, Marketing, and Innovation | 6 |
| Data Analysis I | 4 | |
| Spring 10 credits | The Green Business Lab | 6 |
| Alternative Models + Participatory Decision-Making | 4 | |
| Year 2 Full-Time 30 credits | ||
|---|---|---|
| Quarter | Courses | Course Credits |
| Fall 10 credits | Accounting for the Triple Bottom Line | 6 |
Course Options: - Tribal Economics (4) | 4 | |
| Winter 10 credits | Supply Chain Management and Sustainability Reporting | 6 |
| Data Analysis II | 4 | |
| Spring 10 credits | Capstone | 6 |
Course Options: - Leadership (4) | 4 | |
Part-Time SMBA
3 year program
| Year 1 Part-Time 26 credits | ||
|---|---|---|
| Quarter | Courses | Course Credits |
| Fall 8 credits | Foundations in Sustainability | 6 |
| MPA Elective | 2 | |
| Winter 10 credits* | Business Development, Design, Marketing, and Innovation | 6 |
| Data Analysis I | 4 | |
| Spring 8 credits | The Green Business Lab | 6 |
| MPA Elective | 2 | |
| *Due to the required sequence of the program, students on the part-time track must take a full-time credit load only during Winter quarter of Year 1 | ||
| Year 2 Part-Time 16 credits | ||
|---|---|---|
| Quarter | Courses | Course Credits |
| Fall 6 credits | Accounting for the Triple Bottom Line | 6 |
| Winter 6 credits | Supply Chain Management and Sustainability Reporting | 6 |
| Spring 4 credits | Course Options: - Alternative Models + Participatory Decision-Making (4) | 4 |
| Year 3 Part-Time 18 credits | ||
|---|---|---|
| Quarter | Courses | Course Credits |
| Fall 8 credits | Introduction to Sustainability in Business | 4 |
Course Options: - Tribal Economics (4) | 4 | |
| Winter 4 credits | Data Analysis II | 4 |
| Spring 6 credits | Capstone | 6 |