Graduate Diploma in Sustainable Management
June 6, 2023 2026-10-05 5:57Graduate Diploma in Sustainable Management
Graduate Diploma in Sustainable Management
Build the knowledge to make business more sustainable. Designed for professionals with a bachelor’s degree who are ready for graduate study, this online diploma from the Kisho Kurokawa Green Institute, taught by Akio Morita School of Business faculty, prepares you to run environmentally friendly, socially responsible businesses.
Online
No residency required
Under 9 months
To finish the diploma
18 credits
4 required + 2 elective courses
Year-round
Begin your studies anytime
DEAC
Accredited
Why Choose the Graduate Diploma in Sustainable Management
Four reasons professionals choose this diploma to lead greener business.
Responsible Business
Learn to be fiscally, socially and environmentally responsible in your business.
Live Online Seminars
Two 90-minute live webcam seminars in every six-week course, at the end of weeks 2 and 5, plus a daily discussion forum.
A Global Classroom
Complete a team project with classmates around the world and build an international network.
Built Around Your Job
Discussion questions and assignments can be tailored to your own work or project.
Program Learning Outcomes
What you will be able to do by the time you complete the program.
Knowledge & Research
- Conduct a detailed literature review in sustainability
- Explain current trends, issues and research findings in sustainability
Analysis & Decisions
- Use analytical, quantitative and behavioral tools to understand an organization's impact on ecosystems
- Use technology to manage organizational resources effectively
Leadership & Communication
- Identify the leadership, teamwork and supervision skills needed to move organizations toward sustainability
- Communicate the importance of sustainability to different stakeholders
Ethics & Growth
- Describe the ethical considerations in developing sustainable operations
- Devise strategies for your own ongoing professional development in sustainable management
How You'll Learn
Each six-week course combines two live webcam seminars, a daily discussion forum, written assignments and a team project.
Your Path to the Diploma
Six courses that combine sustainability with core business skills.
01
STEP 1
Sustainability Courses
Four required courses: enterprise development, triple bottom line, green marketing, and CSR and ethics.
02
STEP 2
Two Electives
Two electives from international marketing, management, HR, accounting, finance and economics.
03
STEP 3
Earn Your Diploma
Finish your six courses, 18 units in all, in under nine months.
Career Paths
Bring sustainability skills to roles in business and mission-driven organizations.
CORPORATE SUSTAINABILITY
Lead Sustainability Inside Companies
Build and run sustainability programs in organizations.
- Sustainability manager
- CSR manager
- ESG analyst
GREEN MARKETING & PRODUCTS
Design Greener Products
Bring environmentally responsible products and brands to market.
- Green marketing manager
- Product stewardship specialist
- Sustainable brand manager
OPERATIONS & SUPPLY CHAIN
Make Operations Sustainable
Reduce impact across operations and supply chains.
- Sustainable supply chain manager
- Operations manager
- Environmental compliance coordinator
CONSULTING & POLICY
Advise and Shape Policy
Advise organizations and contribute to sound economic and public policy.
- Sustainability consultant
- NGO program manager
- Sustainability policy advisor
Meet Our Faculty
Learn from experienced academics and professionals who bring subject expertise, research, and real-world perspective into the classroom.
Kwok Shum
Teaches on the doctoral and Green MBA programs, and has run Clinton Foundation C40 workshops.
Tamara Myatt, Ph.D.
Former Executive Director of Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women in Afghanistan. Ph.D. in Human and Organizational Systems, Fielding Graduate University.
Vince Carter, Ph.D.
Professor at the Akio Morita School of Business and the Kisho Kurokawa Green Institute.
Chris Raymond, Ph.D.
Ph.D. in economics, University of California, Santa Barbara, followed by an international MBA.
Ready to Start Your Graduate Diploma in Sustainable Management?
Speak with an advisor about your career goals and experience, or start your application today.
Graduate Diploma in Sustainable Management Curriculum
The Graduate Diploma in Sustainable Management is comprised of six courses — four required sustainability courses plus two chosen from six core business courses — for a total of 18 units. Each course carries three units and is six weeks long, and a new term begins every six weeks.
The program looks beyond short-term profit, building the environmental and social costs of doing business into management decisions. Students may enroll in a single course, several courses, or the full diploma, which can be completed in approximately nine months.
Anaheim University business students study fully online through the Akio Morita School of Business and Kisho Kurokawa Green Institute.
Each course is six weeks long and carries three units, and a new term begins every six weeks. The 18 units above are the four required sustainability courses plus two of the six core business courses. The maximum time allotted to complete the Graduate Diploma is two years.
Available Courses
Four required sustainability courses, plus any two of the six core business courses. Open any course to read its full description.
Required Sustainability Courses
The four sustainability courses from the Kisho Kurokawa Green Institute that every diploma student completes.
The Triple Bottom Line Accounting and Management course is an expanded version of accounting for corporate activity. Contemporary society has moved away from the mere financial bottom line to a higher level of social responsibility where we account for the true social impact of our business activity. Through this expanded version of accounting and accountability, social and environmental impact is added to the equations. Thereby the report of corporate activity and management comprehensively reflects a true bottom line. The three prongs of the true bottom line become clear: economic prosperity, environmental quality and social justice. This course provides the basis for business students to go forward and determine the true social effects of the businesses they are working for and to manage for the future.
Green Marketing & Environmental Product Design/Recycling is a course structured around the traditional “4Ps” of marketing and explains how marketing mix decisions can and do influence environmental outcomes. Throughout the course, the emphasis will be on the conversion of consumption systems to a sustainable paradigm that represents a circular use of resources, not the linear approach (materials > products > consumption > disposal) that leads to the pollution of ecosystems. The major theme of the course is that marketers can reinvent strategy and craft “win-win-win” solutions, where customers win (obtaining genuine benefits), organizations win (achieving financial objectives), and ecosystems win (ecosystem functioning is preserved or enhanced).
Corporate Social Responsibility and Ethics is a comprehensive study of the core issues for business in the questions of sustainability, social responsibility and ethics. The course introduces the student not only to relevant issues, but the views of corporate stakeholders. Approaches for presenting and carrying out a program of sustainability are presented, including strategic planning, targets, goals and alternative approaches. A principal part of the course is devoted to the ethics of business and issues of transparency, including discussion of the social impact of non-ethical and non-transparent business practices. Case studies, a team project and practice assignments assist in presenting these themes on a practical level. The course concludes with information and discussion on trends in sustainability and business ethics. A principal goal of the course is to show that community engagement and the maximization of profit/shareholder value are not mutually exclusive, but mutually reinforcing.
Sustainable Enterprise Development and Leadership is a course which provides a comprehensive and practical analysis of what sustainable business development is and how companies can use it to make a significant difference. Sustainable development involves articulating, integrating and achieving social, economic, and environmental objectives, and initiatives to protect humankind and the natural world from destructive behaviors. Sustainable business development is a holistic management approach which includes the entire value-added system from the origins of raw materials, to production processes, to customer use, to product end of useful life. Sustainable outcomes are those that balance the performance objectives of the present with the needs and expectations of the future. To achieve these outcomes, there must be a profound change in strategic thinking, leadership and the management of businesses.
Core Business Courses
Students choose two of these six core business courses to complete the diploma. Course offerings are subject to faculty availability and may vary by term.
Economics is an important subject that affects the way we live in not only the United States but internationally for countries who use the market system to determine the allocation of resources in their society. The aim of this course is to help students understand the operation of a market system in an international setting and to explore the nature and organization of various societies and the arguments underlying many of the great global public issues of the day in an international setting, and to understand the operation and behavior of international business firms and other decision-making entities through the study of the principles of international economics.
Human beings are the most crucial components of any organization as all other company assets are always subject to human decisions. Recruitment, management and training of the workforce are then crucial tasks that contribute to the company’s success and can even be decisive for its survival. This is true whether we are considering domestic companies or international companies. This course focuses on the study of human management principles as they reflect on the basic assumption of treating employees as investments benefiting a company in the long run from the international perspective. The class is designed as an overview of traditional functions of international human resource (IHRM) management and an examination of its governing mechanisms contributing to the success of an organization. Compensation, staffing, training, labor relations and employee performance evaluation are studied from an international perspective among other aspects of international human resource management.
In our increasingly globalized world, accounting students need to understand the main features of financial reporting practices as they differ in different countries so that they will be able to distinguish accounting and reporting differences that would otherwise give rise to problems for report readers. It is also vitally necessary to understand the ongoing efforts to harmonize standards using International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). The course aims to give participants a thorough grounding in the key principles of accounting while enabling them to understand the major features of the international IFRS standards. The course shows the links between accounting statements, valuation methods and investment analysis. The course also reviews important technical areas of differences among accounting systems such as inventory valuation, the use of reserves, consolidations, and taxation of income. The student will learn to identify problems in international harmonization while appreciating the capital market efficiencies to be gained from harmonization of international accounting standards.
International Marketing frequently requires major changes in how organizations conduct business in a global marketplace. It is a necessity for today’s business leader to be aware of the implications of marketing strategies and how they are employed in different countries with different cultures. This course focuses on identifying and meeting the needs of specific international target markets through close interaction with managers from other functional areas, such as promotion, finance, accounting and human resources.
We are observing a fundamental shift in the nature of geopolitics. No longer will global business leaders focus on one or two stock markets, currencies, economics or political leaders. Today’s business environment is far too complex and interrelated for that. Nation-states and multinational corporations will remain both powerful and important. Global networks comprising technological, entrepreneurial, social and environmental interest groups will remain powerful. Future economic and business endeavors will increasingly be characterized by a search for common ground, productive partnerships, and mutual benefit. This course will focus on developing a deeper understanding of how and why management practices and processes can differ around the world, and the development of the skills necessary to function successfully in this international business environment.
This course covers material essential to a comprehensive understanding of international financial management. Topics will include, but not be limited to, foreign exchange markets, the global cost of capital, corporate strategy and foreign investment and multinational capital budgeting.
Program Requirements
Key requirements students complete as they progress through the program and to graduation.
Students complete the four required sustainability courses plus two of the six core business courses, for a total of 18 units (6 courses, 3 units each). Course offerings are subject to faculty availability and may vary by term.
Students must maintain a 3.0 grade point average (GPA) in order to graduate. Any student whose GPA falls below 3.0 is placed on Academic Probation and given two terms to bring it back to a 3.0 level. A grade lower than 80% on any course means the course must be repeated.
The maximum time allotted for completion of the Graduate Diploma in Sustainable Management is two years. Extensions require written approval from the Program Director, the Office of the Registrar, and the Office of Financial Affairs.
2026 Term Calendar
Each course runs six weeks with two 90-minute live seminars. The 2027 terms are announced in the fall. Request them from admissions.
| Term | Dates | Courses offered |
|---|---|---|
| Term 1 | January – February 2026 | BUS 575Supply Chain Management BUS 615Sustainable Management Capstone Course |
| Term 2 | February – March 2026 | BUS 615Sustainable Management Capstone Course |
| Term 3 | March – May 2026 | BUS 510International Economics |
| Term 4 | May – June 2026 | BUS 520International Human Resource Management |
| Term 5 | June – July 2026 | BUS 530International Accounting |
| Term 6 | August – September 2026 | BUS 540International Marketing |
Plan Your Studies
A few rules that help you finish on time.
COURSE ORDER
Take Courses When Offered
Enroll each time a course you need is offered, so you can finish on schedule.
YOUR COURSES
Four Plus Two
Four sustainability courses plus two of the six core courses. Most students finish in about nine months.
GRADES
80% to Pass a Course
A course below 80% must be repeated. You also need a 3.0 GPA to graduate.
TIME LIMIT
Up to Two Years
Studying beyond two years needs written approval.
Ready to Start Your Graduate Diploma in Sustainable Management?
Speak with an advisor or start your application today.
Graduate Diploma in Sustainable Management Tuition & Fees
Tuition for the Graduate Diploma in Sustainable Management is $1,125 per course, with a $200 records fee per term. The estimated total program cost is $8,525 and includes required tuition and fees and estimated textbooks. The program is comprised of six six-week courses — four required sustainability courses plus two chosen from six core business courses — completed fully online, with no residential sessions required.
Students may pay tuition course by course, or receive a 10% discount on tuition by paying all program fees at once; a non-interest-bearing monthly payment plan is also available. The estimated total assumes completion within the standard six-term schedule (about nine months) and successful completion of each course on the first attempt; repeated courses or additional enrollment may increase the final cost.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application fee non-refundable | $75 |
| Registration fee non-refundable | $100 |
| STRF fee (California residents only) non-refundable | $0 |
| Course fees | |
| Tuition — $375 per credit × 3 credits | $1,125 / course |
| Tuition — 6 courses | $6,750 |
| Records fee | $200 / term |
| Estimated textbook fees | $400 |
| Other fees | |
| Transfer credit fee optional | $75 / course |
| Original transcript | No cost |
| Each additional transcript copy optional | $25 |
| End-of-program fees | |
| Diploma | No cost |
| Replacement diploma optional | $200 |
| Replacement cover optional | $100 |
| Course completion letter optional | $35 |
| Total cost of program | $8,525 |
Program Cost & Additional Enrollment
The estimated total program cost shown above assumes completion within the standard six-term schedule and successful completion of each course on the first attempt. Students who repeat a course or require enrollment beyond the standard schedule will pay additional tuition and records fees for each additional term. The maximum time allotted to complete the Graduate Diploma is two years from the date of matriculation; students who need additional time must receive permission from the Program Director, the Office of the Registrar, and the Office of Financial Affairs.
Program Format
The Graduate Diploma in Sustainable Management is completed 100% online, with no residential attendance required. Students complete four required sustainability courses plus two of six available core business courses — six six-week courses in all (18 units) — studying under the direction of AU faculty in real-time online classes. The program can be completed in approximately nine months.
Pay-in-Full Discount
Students who pay all program fees at one time are eligible for a 10% discount on tuition. Students interested in a non-interest-bearing monthly payment plan should email [email protected] to discuss options.
Textbooks
A student can plan on approximately $400 in textbook purchases during the program. A textbook list is available in the online resources of the student website. Real-time classes do not require specific materials beyond what is already supplied for the course. The above itemizes all of the fees and charges for which the student is responsible; the refund policy is set out in the section on Policies & Procedures.
Student Tuition Recovery Fund (STRF)
The Student Tuition Recovery Fund (STRF) is administered by the California BPPE and applies only to California residents. The STRF fee is currently zero ($0) per one thousand dollars ($1,000) of institutional charges. The State of California established the STRF to relieve or mitigate economic loss suffered by a student in an educational program at a qualifying institution who is or was a California resident while enrolled, if the student enrolled, prepaid tuition, and suffered an economic loss. Unless relieved of the obligation to do so, you must pay the state-imposed assessment for the STRF, or it must be paid on your behalf, if you are a student in an educational program who is a California resident, or are enrolled in a residency program, and prepay all or part of your tuition. You are not eligible for protection from the STRF, and you are not required to pay the STRF assessment, if you are not a California resident or are not enrolled in a residency program.
Payment Terms
Each course is US$1,125.00 for tuition, excluding books, materials and other costs. Students must pay the required tuition fee prior to commencing their next course; the fee is not due until the student wishes to register for the next course. Tuition may be paid course by course by check, credit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express or Discover), money order or bank transfer (the student is responsible for any transaction fees imposed by the institution). To inquire about non-interest-bearing monthly payment plan options, email [email protected].
Graduate Diploma in Sustainable Management Admission Requirements
Admission to the Graduate Diploma in Sustainable Management is open to applicants ready for graduate study in business. Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, meet the minimum 3.0 GPA requirement, and provide the required academic and application materials. No entrance examination is required.
Review the admission requirements, application materials, English proficiency standards, transfer credit policy, and enrollment restrictions below. When you’re ready to apply, you can complete Anaheim University’s online application and submit the required supporting documents.
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Application materials | |
| Application form | Required |
| Application fee non-refundable | $75 |
| One recent color photograph | Digital is okay |
| Government-issued photo ID | Scanned copy required |
| Current résumé | Required |
| Academic requirements | |
| Earned bachelor’s degree | From an accredited institution recognized by the US Dept. of Education / CHEA, or the government of the awarding country |
| Minimum grade point average | 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent) |
| Official transcripts | Undergraduate, sealed, sent from the awarding institution |
| English proficiency — non-native English speakers (one of) | |
| TOEFL | 530 PBT / 197 CBT / 71 iBT |
| IELTS | 6.5 |
| TOEIC | 800 |
| PTE Academic | 50 |
| Other qualifying options | See the full list below |
| Other | |
| Entrance examination | None required |
| Transfer credit optional | Up to 6 units (2 graduate classes); $75 per course reviewed |
| Prior experiential credit | Not accepted |
English Proficiency Requirements
The language of instruction at Anaheim University is exclusively English, and English language services are not provided. Non-native English speakers must provide original documentation of college-level proficiency by meeting one of the following minimum scores:
Proficiency may also be shown by a degree from an institution where English is the primary language of instruction; a transcript showing 30 semester hours taught in English with a “B” average, or a “B” or higher in an English composition class. Other accepted qualifications include BULATS Level 3 (60, accepted only for Cultura Inglesa in Brazil); ACT COMPASS ESL Placement Level 3; Eiken Pre-1; a CEFR B2 level assessed through recognized ESOL examinations, including the University of Cambridge; Duolingo English Test 100; Michigan MET 55, ECCE 650/LP, or ECPE 650/LP; or the College Board Accuplacer ESL series.
Transcripts not in English: if your institution does not routinely issue transcripts in English, original-language records must be submitted with official English translations issued by the university or a professional translation service (Accredited Language Services, Berlitz, Liaison Linguistics, Josef Silny & Associates, American Evaluation & Translation Services, or Education Evaluators International). Translations must be exact and complete versions of the original records.
Transfer Credit
Anaheim University will accept up to two graduate semester classes (8 units) awarded by another institution toward the Graduate Diploma in TESOL or the TESOL Graduate Diploma. You must clearly demonstrate the equivalency of each transfer course through relevant documents (syllabus, catalog, course outline) and justify its acceptance through a petition directed to the Dean; no course with a grade lower than “B” will be considered. There is a fee of $75 per course of credit transferred, and the overall program cost is adjusted for approved credit. All petitions must be submitted as part of your initial application. Credits awarded as part of another completed degree will not be accepted, and Anaheim University does not extend experiential credit to any student.
Enrollment Restrictions by State
Anaheim University currently does not accept students who reside in the following U.S. states and territories. If you reside in one of these locations, please contact Student Services at 714-772-3330 before applying.
How to Apply
- 1Submit your applicationComplete the Anaheim University admissions application. You may apply online or download the PDF application and submit it by email.
- 2Submit your supporting documentsProvide a recent passport-size color photograph, government-issued photo ID, a current résumé, official undergraduate transcripts, and English-proficiency documentation if required. Documents may be uploaded with the online application or emailed to [email protected]. Scanned copies may be accepted to expedite processing while required originals are being sent.
- 3Pay the application feePay the $75 non-refundable application fee. Payment may be made by credit card, check or money order, or bank wire transfer. For payment instructions or assistance, contact [email protected].
- 4Send required original documentsAny required original application documents that are not submitted online should be sent by registered mail to:
Anaheim University
Office of Admissions, Room 110
1240 S. State College Blvd.
Anaheim, CA 92806-5150
USA - 5Application reviewOnce your application materials are received, Anaheim University will review your application. A receipt for the application fee will be provided, and if your application is incomplete, the University will contact you with instructions regarding any outstanding materials.
- 6Complete your enrollmentIf your application is approved, you will receive an acceptance notification and Enrollment Agreement. Complete and return the required enrollment documentation and follow the University’s instructions for payment, registration, and beginning your program.

Robert Robertson, Ph.D.
Dean, Akio Morita School of Business Dr. Robert Robertson holds a Ph.D. in Management and Organization (Stirling University, Scotland); Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Sloan…

Andrew E. Honeycutt, DBA
President, Anaheim University Professor Dr. Andrew E. Honeycutt, President of Anaheim University, is the recipient of a Harvard University Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) degree…

Carlos Aquino, Ph.D.
Professor Holding a George Washington University MS in Structural Engineering and a University of Sao Paolo Ph.D. in Sciences and Technology, Dr. Carlos Tasso Eira…

Vince Carter, Ph.D.
Professor Dr. E. Vince Carter is a Professor at the Anaheim University Akio Morita School of Business and Kisho Kurokawa Green Institute. Vince’s teaching approach…

Mariah Jeffery, Ph.D., CSCP
Professor Dr. Mariah Jeffery holds a Ph.D. in Operations Research and a Master of Science in Industrial Engineering from the University of Central Florida, and…

Tamara Myatt, Ph.D.
Professor Holding a Ph.D. and Masters in Human and Organizational Systems from Fielding Graduate University, Tamara Myatt has spent more than a decade transforming the…

Chris Raymond, Ph.D.
Professor Dr. Christopher Raymond earned a Ph.D. in economics from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and later completed an international MBA from École National…

Kwok Shum, Ph.D.
Director, Kisho Kurokawa Green Institute Professor After earning a Stanford University Master of Science in Engineering degree, Dr. Kwok Shum received his Ph.D. in Management…

Stavros Sindakis, Ph.D.
Professor With both a Ph.D. and MBA in Strategy, Enterprise & Innovation from the University of Portsmouth, Dr. Stavros Sindakis has made significant contributions to…

Barbara Son, Ph.D.
Professor Holding a Ph.D. in Urban Business Economics from Portland State University, and a Masters in Urban Affairs with a concentration in Technology, Business, Economics…

John Wang, Ph.D.
Professor Dr. John Wang received a scholarship award to complete his Ph.D. in Business Administration at Temple University in 1990, after earning his M.S. in…

William Hartley Ph.D.
President Emeritus Professor Dr. Hartley’s background is a combination of education, private sector work, teaching and consulting. Holding a bachelor’s degree, three master’s degrees, and…

Caryn Callahan, Ph.D.
Senior Professor Emeritus Holding a Harvard University Ph.D. in East Asian Languages in Civilizations with a specialization in Japan and an MBA specializing in Finance-Accounting…