Hand underneath superimposed globe

FOR MBA'S & BUSINESS PROFESSIONALS Graduate Certificate in Social Responsibility & Impact in Business

Prepare to create economic, social and environmental impact in any organization

For Spring 2025 Enrollment:
Application Deadline: Rolling Admissions

For Fall 2025 Enrollment:
Application Deadline: Rolling Admissions

Today, we are witnessing a growing demand from employers, consumers, investors, regulators, and other stakeholders to integrate responsible economic, social, and environmental sustainability practices into business organizations. Additionally, individuals demonstrate an increased interest in working for, developing, and creating socially responsible organizations, and in engaging in socially responsible practices at home and work. UConn School of Business’ Graduate Certificate in Social Responsibility & Impact in Business prepares individuals in firms, services, government, non-profits, and other organizations to effectively consider economic, social, and environmental sustainability as part of their business decision-making. Students learn to embed social responsibility in ethical business models, implement practices that have a positive societal impact in business, deploy business strategies to promote environmental sustainability, navigate CSR regulations and gain experience in ESG reporting, respect and facilitate human rights as part of business operations, and drive global innovation in business for positive social change.

This graduate certificate consists of four 3-credit courses and can be completed in as little as 9 months. Courses are offered on a rolling basis during the Fall, Spring and Summer semesters primarily online, with some courses offered in-person at the Hartford campus. Please note that this program is not eligible for F-1 visa students residing in the United States. However, you may study in the program online if you complete the program from your home country.

Courses

The Graduate Certificate in Social Responsibility & Impact in Business consists of four 3-credit courses, including MKTG 5115 plus your choice of three of the four additional courses listed below.  Visit the Courses page for full course descriptions. Note that not all courses are available every semester.

Required Course:

  • MKTG 5115: Marketing *

Plus, choose three of the following four courses:

  • MKTG 5255: Global Issues in Marketing for Social Impact
  • MKTG 5258: Marketing Strategy for Environmental and Social Impact
  • BLAW 5253: Sustainability, Markets, and Society
  • BLAW 5254: Social Responsibility and Accountability in Business

*Pre-requisite for all other 5000-level Marketing courses. May be waived if previously completed in another UConn graduate business program or equivalent.  

Application Process & Requirements

Applications to the Graduate Certificate in Social Responsibility & Impact in Business are accepted on a rolling basis and reviewed by the admissions committee.

Applicants must fulfill all the following requirements:

  • An undergraduate degree (B.S. or B.A.) from a 4-year program at an accredited U.S. university or college or foreign equivalent.
  • A minimum undergraduate or graduate grade-point-average (GPA) of 3.0 for either all four years or for the last two years
  • Resume & Personal Statement of interest

Start/Continue Your Application

Contact Us

For more information, please contact:
Arminda Kamphausen
Director, Global & Sustainability Initiatives
mssrib@uconn.edu
+1.860.486.5458

Request Information

Courses

The Graduate Certificate in Social Responsibility & Impact in Business consists of four 3-credit courses, including MKTG 5115 plus your choice of three of the four additional courses listed below.  Visit the Courses page for full course descriptions. Note that not all courses are available every semester.

Required Course:

  • MKTG 5115: Marketing *

Plus, choose three of the following four courses:

  • MKTG 5255: Global Issues in Marketing for Social Impact
  • MKTG 5258: Marketing Strategy for Environmental and Social Impact
  • BLAW 5253: Sustainability, Markets, and Society
  • BLAW 5254: Social Responsibility and Accountability in Business

*Pre-requisite for all other 5000-level Marketing courses. May be waived if previously completed in another UConn graduate business program or equivalent.  

Application Process & Requirements

Applications to the Graduate Certificate in Social Responsibility & Impact in Business are accepted on a rolling basis and reviewed by the admissions committee.

Applicants must fulfill all the following requirements:

  • An (B.S. or B.A.) from a 4-year program at an accredited U.S. university or college or foreign equivalent.
  • A minimum undergraduate or graduate grade-point-average (GPA) of 3.0 for either all four years or for the last two years
  • Resume & Personal Statement of interest

Start/Continue Your Application

Contact Us

For more information, please contact:
Arminda Kamphausen
Director, Global & Sustainability Initiatives
mssrib@uconn.edu
+1.860.486.5458

Request Information

Plan of Study

Meet with an advisor to create your individual plan of study, including recommended sequencing of coursework for enrolling juniors and seniors.

Courses

Required Business Fundamentals (9 credits)

  • MKTG 5100 — Business Fundamentals for Social Impact (Fall Semester only)
  • BLAW 5175 — Business, Law, and Ethics in Modern Society
  • MKTG 5115 — Marketing Management *

* Students who earn a B- or better in MKTG 3101/BADM 3750 may request a waiver for MKTG 5115 from the Academic Director.

Required Core Courses (12 credits)

  • BLAW 5253 — Sustainability, Markets, and Society
  • BLAW 5254 — Social Responsibility and Accountability in Business
  • MKTG 5255 — Global Issues in Marketing for Social Impact *
  • MKTG 5258 — Marketing Strategies for Environmental and Social Impact *

* This course requires MKTG 3101/BADM 3750 with a grade of B- or better as a prerequisite.

Electives (9 credits from the following)

  • BLAW 5220 — Employment Law in the Modern Organization
  • BLAW 5252 — Business and Human Rights
  • BLAW 5660 — International Business Law
  • BLAW 5750 — Ethics and Compliance in the Global Organization
  • BLAW 5790 — Revolutionary Technologies and the Social Responsibility of Business
  • MKTG 5251 — Marketing and Digital Analytics *
  • MKTG 5625 — Marketing for Global Competitiveness *
  • MKTG 5650 — Strategic Brand Management *
  • MKTG 5881 — Internship in Social Responsibility and Impact in Business *
  • MKTG 5893 or BLAW 5893 — Foreign Study *
  • OPIM 5113 — Distribution and Logistics
  • OPIM 5114 — Sustainable Supply Chain Management: Strategies for Environmental and Social Responsibility
  • ACCT 5530 — Business Sustainability Reporting and Analysis

* This course requires MKTG 3101/BADM 3750 with a grade of B- or better as a prerequisite.

To view course descriptions, please visit our Courses Page.

Program Fees

UConn undergraduate students can enroll in up to (12) 5000-level credits to count towards both their bachelor's and MSSRIB degrees. Students enrolled in the Accelerated MSSRIB face no additional costs during their time as an undergraduate student.

The total cost of completing the MSSRIB (post UConn undergraduate graduation) is contingent on credits taken as an undergraduate at UConn. For students who have taken the maximum allowable (12) 5000-level credits as an undergraduate, the total tuition & fees for the remaining 18 credits are $20,700, a 40% cost savings compared to completing the full 30-credits as a graduate student. Course fees are $1,150 per credit hour ($3,450) per course as of Fall 2024.

UConn female student smiling looking at her laptop during class.

How to Apply

For current UConn undergraduate students, application to the Acclerated MSSRIB program involves a two-step process, including a Pre-Graduate Program application for the undergraduate phase of the Accelerated program, followed by a Graduate Program application to the MSSRIB program. See How to Apply for details.

 

Not a current UConn student?

College graduates from other colleges and universities may visit the MS in Social Responsibility & Impact in Business page to learn more about our graduate degree program.