Program Overview

Introduction to the Master in Business, Climate, and Sustainability Program

Duke University is proud to announce a new joint-degree program: the Master in Business, Climate, and Sustainability (MBCS). Designed by Duke’s top-ranked Fuqua School of Business and the Nicholas School of the Environment, this pioneering interdisciplinary program will equip students with core business skills informed by climate science.

Program Overview

The MBCS program develops graduates’ expertise in business strategy, climate science, and applied analytics. Graduates are prepared to immediately contribute to climate innovation across a wide spectrum of industries and functions. The program’s curriculum and experiential learning opportunities are designed in close collaboration with industry partners to cultivate professionals with the distinctive ability to translate climate science into business strategy—a crucial need among companies aiming to thrive in a climate-disrupted world.

Program Curriculum

The 10-month curriculum integrates business and climate-related subjects covering three primary domains:

• Business fundamentals, including finance, analytics, operations, and leadership
• Climate literacy, spanning climate science, energy systems, and environmental policy
• Applied tools and methods, such as carbon accounting, life-cycle analysis, and optimization modeling

Learning Experience

Students will learn in small groups that prepare them for teamwork in job settings. They will also learn from industry experts and gain hands-on experience working with corporate partners in the program’s practicum course.

Career Support

Staff from Fuqua and Nicholas will provide career support to students through mentoring, workshops, career fairs, and more. Additionally, graduates will benefit from Duke’s robust alumni network.

Program Goals

The MBCS program is designed to prepare graduates to lead in the rapidly evolving sustainability sector. By enrolling in this program, students will be one step closer to helping the private sector manage climate risks and demonstrate leadership in sustainable operations. The program addresses a critical talent gap by positioning graduates for jobs that demand an understanding of climate change and its impacts, specifically on businesses.

Faculty and Scholars

The program is led by distinguished faculty, including:

• Mary Frances Luce, Robert A. Ingram Distinguished Professorship, Professor of Business Administration, and Interim Dean of the Fuqua School of Business
• Lori Snyder Bennear, Professor of Environmental Economics and Policy, Associate Professor in the Department of Economics, Associate Professor in the Sanford School of Public Policy, and Associate of the Duke Initiative for Science & Society

Industry Demand

Businesses across industries are planning significant organizational changes related to sustainability. According to the Future of Jobs Report 2025, published by the World Economic Forum, nearly half of the employers surveyed anticipate that ramping up efforts to reduce carbon emissions will be a main cause of organizational transformation. Meanwhile, 41% expect that climate change adaptation will foment significant organizational changes. Yet, demand for qualified employees is outpacing supply, with only 11% of companies surveyed achieving emissions reductions in line with their ambitions. The MBCS program is designed to meet this demand by preparing graduates with the expertise required to plan and implement sustainability transformations.