Strategic Leadership Towards Sustainability

Study mode:On campus Study type:Full-time Languages: English
Foreign:$ 12.6 k / Year(s) Deadline: Jan 15, 2025
StudyQA ranking:3013 Duration:12 months

Photos of university / #blekingetekniskahogskola

Advertisement

The society within the biosphere is to its nature a much complex system. To achieve success in this system, i.e. a sustainable society, knowledge of how success is defined and how it can be achieved is required. On the basis of a fundamental vision of a sustainable society, one can through backcasting formulate a strategy to reach the desired aim.

This programme extends over two semesters and concentrates on two integrated themes. The first of these themes is an internationally recognized and scientifically reviewed model (framework) of systematic work towards an attractive and sustainable society (strategic sustainable development). This is a universal model which can be used to work with sustainable development within many different fields globally, nationally, in companies, in municipalities, in whole societies and on the individual level.

This model gives a systematic method for: analysis of the present, visualization of solutions, finding strategies to reach sustainable solutions, choosing and developing general and supplementary tools to develop indicators for a sustainable development.

The other theme in the education consists of concepts related to organizational learning and leadership. These concepts are developed through studies of how different groups of people (for example organizations and societies) can use the framework that is described above to identify strategies to reach sustainability.
The above aspects and concepts will not only be described theoretically but will also be practiced during the programme. In addition to this, the students will find new paths to knowledge by using the framework.

Learning outcomes
The aim of the study programme is achieved through the courses that are included in the higher education qualification. Assessment and examination take place at course level, and details concerning examination and grading are found in respective course syllabus.

In addition to the nationally regulated aims the following aims apply to the education. After completion of the education, the student should:

* have knowledge about and be able to apply the framework for sustainable development that is taught in the courses of the programme.
* have developed leadership skills and ability to inform and explain through an increased consciousness of organizational and personal learning.
* have developed his/her presentation, facilitation and coaching skills.
* be able to apply the two themes of the programme in different situations to analyze problems, create solutions and choose or develop supplementary tools and concepts.

By helping the students to reach these aims, the programme will contribute to create a worldwide network of professional actors within strategic sustainable development.

Job Profiles
Students graduating from this programme can work in areas such as consultants or sustainability professionals (internal and external) within businesses, non-profit organizations and communities. This could be, for example, working as a project or programme leader, management, or strategic planner. Many graduated students have also started their own businesses after completing the programme.

The implementation of the education follows the non-linear approach. This means that the five system levels that the programme is built up around and which build on principles for organizational learning will be presented during the first day of the programme. A gradual deepening of these will then take place during the following 4½ months. This leads to a learning method as the programme progresses. The concluding 4½ months of the programme will be primarily devoted to a degree project where the students in small groups obtain the possibility to apply their knowledge of the framework in a real company, in an organization or another project.

This non-linear method also gives a certain possibility to adaptation of how the courses are carried out through a continuous dialogue with the students. As the programme progresses, the students will obtain the possibility to specialize in all the levels of the framework while a connection of how the five levels are connected with each other will be discussed. Extensive group assignments and learning in groups will be encouraged.

Learning takes place primarily through application of concepts instead of through traditional lectures. Through this working method, the students are urged to mutually exchange knowledge and experiences with one another which also is a part of the assessment of the students' achievements. Simply expressed, powerful traits of character such as optimism and creativity will be openly encouraged as being a fundamental aspect in the development of leadership.

The programme will use the following methods for learning:

* Introductory lectures - which comprise lectures, break-out groups and informal insights and discussions about concepts and their usages.
* Both self-organized and structured group assignments and role play.
* Individual studies
* eLearning and reviews of relevant material.
* Supervision and workshops.
* The students teach one another and evaluate one another.

The students will take both compulsory and elective courses which are listed below. The programme is divided into four study periods of the same length. The two first study periods contain courses, of which the second period also contains elective courses, and the two last study periods a degree project.

Written Work
The programme is completed with a written degree project equivalent to 30 HE credits.

International element
Students in this programme are welcome to incorporate international case studies as part of their project work, both for smaller assignments as well as for the thesis project. Some international work and/or travel can be arranged in these cases.

Assessment and grading
Assessment and grading vary between the courses in the programme. Information can be found for each course.

Programme Evaluations
Programme Advisory Board
The program has a Programme Council that has the assignment of ensuring the usability of the education on and for the labour market.

The Programme Council consists of students, alumni, external representatives and teachers and representatives of the main field of study. The Programme Council meets 2 times a year.

For admission to the study programme, a Bachelor's degree of 180 credits is required, plus English B. English Language Requirements IELTS band: 6.5 TOEFL paper-based test score : 575 TOEFL iBT® test: 90
Similar programs:
Study mode:On campus Languages: English
Foreign:$ 14.3 k / Year(s)
Deadline: Jan 15, 2025 StudyQA ranking: 3310
Study mode:On campus Languages: English
Foreign:$ 15.5 k / Year(s)
Deadline: Jan 15, 2025 StudyQA ranking: 3649
Study mode:On campus Languages: English
Local:$ 38.8 k / program Foreign:$ 38.8 k / program
201–250 place StudyQA ranking: 5577
Study mode:On campus Languages: English
Local:$ 26.6 k / program Foreign:$ 26.6 k / program
64 place StudyQA ranking: 3343
Study mode:On campus Languages: English
Local:$ 34.2 k / program Foreign:$ 34.2 k / program
StudyQA ranking: 2214
Study mode:On campus Languages: English
Local:$ 34.2 k / program Foreign:$ 34.2 k / program
StudyQA ranking: 2365