A concentration in Sustainable Business provides students with subject matter, knowledge, and experience to effectively integrate economic, social, and environmental goals into their work or business strategy. The concentration offers a diverse range of courses, from sustainable marketing and consumption to corporate sustainability strategy as well as internships, study abroad programs and interdisciplinary projects to hands-on experience in real-world settings.

21

Credits of Sustainable Business credits needed

Coursework to increase your impact 

Students will learn the latest trends in sustainable business, understand the role of business in addressing sustainability and social issues, drive sustainable marketing and consumption, and develop leadership skills to shape responsible business practice. Graduates will be able to confidently harness emerging trends in green business for strategic positioning and social/environmental good. 

In addition to the All-University Core Curriculum, course work for a concentration in Business Sustainability includes the College of Business Core and various electives that allow students to build a plan around their educational and/or career interests. 

Curriculum

Students who choose the Sustainable Business concentration must take at least 21 credits of Sustainable Business-specific courses in addition to the All-University Core Curriculum and College of Business courses. Take a look at the degree requirements.

See more details about the sustainable business concentration (PDF).

Learning Outcomes

Students will demonstrate:

  • Identify the impacts of climate change and biodiversity loss on business and society and understand how business practice contributes to global sustainability challenges. 
  • Recognize and articulate the role of business in addressing sustainability issues. 
  • Analyze the ethical, legal, regulatory, strategic, and financial implications inherent in business situations and apply that knowledge to make responsible decisions. 
  • Apply their knowledge to effectively integrate economic, social, and environmental goals into their work or business strategy. 
  • Harness emerging trends in green business for strategic positioning and social/environmental good. 

Courses

The courses below reflect the 2024-2025 Colorado State University catalog, published in August 2024 for students enrolling during the 2024-2025 academic year. Courses listed are updated each summer for incoming students.

The College of Business requires a minimum grade point average of 2.000 in business and economics courses as a graduation requirement. 

Freshman
AUCC
Credits
BUS 100 or BUS 105
Introduction to Business
Exploration of Business
Credits1
BUS 220
Ethics in Contemporary Organizations (GT-AH3)
AUCC3B
Credits3
CIS 200
Business Information Systems
Credits3
CO 150
College Composition (GT-CO2)
AUCC1A
Credits3
ECON 202
Principles of Microeconomics (GT-SS1)
AUCC3C
Credits3
Select 3 credits from the following:
Credits3
MATH 117
College Algebra in Context I (GT-MA1)
AUCC1B
MATH 118
College Algebra in Context II (GT-MA1)
AUCC1B
MATH 120
College Algebra (GT-MA1)
AUCC1B
MATH 124
Logarithmic and Exponential Functions (GT-MA1)
AUCC1B
MATH 125
Numerical Trigonometry (GT-MA1)
AUCC1B
MATH 126
Analytic Trigonometry (GT-MA1)
AUCC1B
MATH 127
Precalculus (GT-MA1)
AUCC1B
MATH 141 (or higher level calculus course)
Calculus in Management Sciences (GT-MA1)
AUCC1B
Biological and Physical Sciences
AUCC3A
Credits4
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
AUCC1C
Credits3
Electives
Credits7
Total Credits
Credits30
Sophomore
ACT 210
Introduction to Financial Accounting
Credits3
ACT 220
Introduction to Managerial Accounting
Credits3
Select one course from the following:1
Credits1-3
BUS 201
Foundations of Sustainable Enterprise
BUS 225
Fostering Sustainable Organizations (GT-AH3)
AUCC3B
BUS 260
Social-Ethical-Regulatory Issues in Business
Credits3
ECON 204
Principles of Macroeconomics (GT-SS1)
AUCC3C
Credits3
STAT 204
Statistics With Business Applications (GT-MA1)
AUCC1B
Credits3
Select 3 credits from the following Lower-Division Concentration Electives:
Credits3
AREC 222
Economics of Food Systems (GT-SS1)
AUCC1C
AREC 240/ECON 240
Economics of Environmental Sustainability (GT-SS1)
AUCC3C
ATS 150
Science of Global Climate Change (GT-SC2)
AUCC3A
BUS 269
Sustainable Development and Circular Economy
ECON 101
Economics of Social Issues (GT-SS1)
AUCC3C
ECON 211
Gender in the Economy (GT-SS1)
AUCC1C
ECON 212
Racial Inequality and Discrimination (GT-SS1)
AUCC1C
GES 101
Foundations of Environmental Sustainability
GR 213
Climate Migrants (GT-SS2)
AUCC3C
NR 120A
Environmental Conservation (GT-SC2)
AUCC3A
NR 130
Global Environmental Systems (GT-SC2)
AUCC3A
SOC 220
Environment, Food, and Social Justice (GT-SS3)
AUCC1C
Biological and Physical Sciences
AUCC3A
Credits3
Electives
Credits6-8
Total Credits
Credits30
Junior
BUS 300
Business Writing and Communication (GT-CO3)
AUCC2
Credits3
CIS 370
Business Analytics
Credits3
FIN 300
Principles of Finance
AUCC4A,4B
Credits3
MGT 360
Social and Sustainable Venturing
Credits3
MKT 300
Marketing
AUCC4B
Credits3
MKT 420
Marketing and Societal Well-Being
Credits3
Historical Perspectives
AUCC3D
Credits3
Electives
Credits9
Total Credits
Credits30
Senior
ACT 318
Fundamentals of Sustainability Reporting
Credits3
BUS 440
Corporate Sustainability Strategy
Credits3
BUS 479
Strategic Management
AUCC4A,4C
Credits3
MGT 301
Supply Chain Management
Credits3
MGT 320
Contemporary Management Principles/Practices
Credits3
Select 3 credits from the following Upper-Division Concentration Electives:
Credits3
ANTH 415
Indigenous Ecologies and the Modern World
BUS 469A
Study Abroad--Ecuador: Community and Cultural Engagement
BUS 487
Internship
CLMT 350
Climate Change and Earth System Interactions
CON 450/INTD 450
Travel Abroad-Sustainable Building
CON 476
Sustainable Practice-Design and Construction
E 404A
Study Abroad--Europe: Energy Transitions in Europe
ESS 365
Global Climate Justice
FW 373A
Travel Abroad : Wildlife Conservation–Baja California Sur
MKT 364
Product Design
NRRT 321
Travel Abroad-Marine Ecotourism-Bahamas
Electives2
Credits12
Total Credits
Credits30
Program Total Credits:
Credits120
This course listing is provided through the Colorado State University catalog and is updated each summer. New or modified courses offered for spring or summer may not be included, but you can find complete course information via the class schedule on RAMweb. Offerings are subject to change and the University reserves the right to make changes in catalog information when necessary and to correct errors. Always consult with an academic advisor to stay informed of curriculum details.