Certificate of Advanced Study in Sustainable Enterprise (CASSE)

Join the Movement for Sustainable Solutions in a Finite World: Transform your area of expertise with cutting-edge knowledge of sustainability.

Global climate change, resource constraints, and shifting stakeholder expectations are reshaping how organizations operate and compete. Forward-thinking businesses recognize that environmental and social challenges are not only risks to be managed, but powerful drivers of innovation and long-term advantage. Sustainability is now central to strategies designed to build resilience, unlock new value, and thrive in a rapidly changing world.

The Certificate of Advanced Study in Sustainable Enterprise (CASSE) equips learners with the interdisciplinary knowledge, strategic perspective, and applied skills needed to lead meaningful change across business, government, nonprofit, and environmental sectors.

CASSE is offered through a collaboration among the Whitman School of Management, the College of Engineering and Computer Science, the Sustainable Enterprise Partnership, the Syracuse Center of Excellence in Environmental and Energy Systems, and the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY-ESF).

Why Choose CASSE?

CASSE stands apart. Few U.S. business or management schools partner with science and/or engineering schools to deliver sustainability-related curricula, research and outreach. Even fewer integrate business, policy, science and practice in their curriculum. CASSE graduates are disciplinary experts in fields such as finance, marketing, supply chain management, policy, law, architecture or engineering, who also possess deep insights into sustainability challenges and solutions. Graduates are prepared to create innovative strategies and lead meaningful change in addressing complex environmental and social issues. The CASSE core faculty collaborate closely to ensure an engaging and impactful educational experience, preparing you to develop economically viable, innovative and adaptive approaches to complex environmental and social risks.

Career Opportunities

CASSE graduates have significantly enhanced career opportunities, backed by substantive expertise and hands-on experience working in interdisciplinary teams. Employers, alumni and current students consistently highlight the CASSE program as a powerful differentiator for securing internships, prestigious positions and advancing career opportunities.

Financial Support

Students may apply for several loan programs to cover the cost of attendance (e.g., Federal Direct Loan Progam, Federal PLUS Loans, Alternative Loan Programs). Part-time students must be enrolled for at least 6 credits (half-time status) to be considered for loan programs.

Additionally, there may be partial scholarships available for students who need to take additional courses above and beyond their graduate degree program to complete the CASSE program.

Curriculum Designed for Impact

The CASSE certificate requires 15 graduate credits (five courses): three core courses and two electives.

Core Courses (Required)

BUA/ECS 650/EST 652: Managing Sustainability: Purpose, Principles and Practice (3 credits)
BUA/ECS 651/EST 796: Strategic Management and the Natural Environment (3 credits)
BUA/ECS/EST 759: Sustainability-Driven Enterprise (3 credits)

Electives

Students complete two approved graduate-level electives selected in consultation with program leadership and aligned with their academic and professional goals.

The certificate may be completed as a standalone credential or concurrently with a graduate degree program.

Admission

The CASSE program is open to qualified applicants, including individuals who are not currently matriculated at Syracuse University or SUNY-ESF. Applicants must hold a completed bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution prior to enrollment.

Applicants Not Currently Enrolled at Syracuse University
Individuals who are not currently matriculated in a Syracuse University graduate degree program should apply through the Whitman School’s graduate application portal:

https://whitman.syracuse.edu/about/apply-now

Current Syracuse University Graduate Students
Current Syracuse University graduate students may apply by submitting the internal enrollment form. For additional information, please contact: Whitgradadvising@syr.edu.

Paul P. Momtaz

Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship and Sustainability

Whitman School of ManagementSyracuse University

721 University Avenue Syracuse, N.Y. 13244-2450

E-mail: ppmomtaz@syr.edu

Phone: 315.443.6899