Master of Arts (M.A.) Major in Sustainability Studies (Thesis Option) | Texas State University

Skills & Competencies

Skills developed through this program

Auto-populatedfrom O*NET via SOC 11-1011.03

Skills

WritingCritical ThinkingComplex Problem SolvingSpeakingReading ComprehensionActive ListeningSocial PerceptivenessPersuasion

Knowledge

English LanguageAdministration and ManagementLaw and GovernmentCommunications and MediaBuilding and Construction

Abilities

Written ExpressionOral ComprehensionWritten ComprehensionOral ExpressionSpeech RecognitionSpeech ClarityFluency of IdeasOriginalityProblem SensitivityDeductive Reasoning

Tasks

Monitor and evaluate effectiveness of sustainability programs.
Develop or execute strategies to address issues such as energy use, resource conservation, recycling
Develop, or oversee the development of, sustainability evaluation or monitoring systems.

Technology

Document management softwareGraphics or photo imaging softwareElectronic mail softwareWeb page creation and editing softwareEnterprise resource planning ERP software

Tools

10-key calculatorsComputer data input scannersDesktop computersHandheld computersLaptop computersMulti-line telephone systemsPersonal computersPhotocopying equipmentSmartphonesVideo teleconferencing systems

Work Values

AchievementIndependenceWorking ConditionsRecognitionRelationshipsSupport

Career Pathways

Occupations this program prepares you for

Auto-populatedfrom O*NET + BLS

Occupations matched to this program, with median wage, top wage, growth, and openings
SOC	Occupation	Method	Wage	Growth	Openings
Match confidence: medium11-1011.03	Chief Sustainability Officers	title_inference	—	—	—

Program Pathways

Credentials this program stacks toward

No program pathways.

What You'll Learn

Key competencies developed through this program

Auto-populatedfrom NSX Competency Framework

Mastery: advanced (Level 4)(based on Master's Degree)

Organizational sustainability vision — set the long-term strategic direction for enterprise-wide sustainability commitments, integrating environmental, social, and governance priorities at the board level.
Enterprise sustainability policy architecture — develop and champion internal policies and public commitments that embed sustainability into organizational culture, governance, and operations.
Industry-level monitoring standards — lead the creation of sector benchmarks and evaluation frameworks adopted by peer organizations, standard-setting bodies, and government agencies.
High-performance sustainability talent ecosystems — build and develop a pipeline of sustainability leaders across the organization through succession planning, mentorship, and organizational design.
Executive and public sustainability narrative — represent the organization as chief sustainability spokesperson before legislative bodies, international forums, media, and capital markets.
Multi-stakeholder coalition leadership — convene and lead cross-sector alliances with NGOs, academia, government, and industry to accelerate collective sustainability outcomes at scale.
Transformative innovation agenda — define and resource an organizational sustainability research and pilot agenda that positions the enterprise as a global thought leader.
Sustainability investment strategy — direct capital allocation decisions for sustainability infrastructure and programs, aligning financial strategy with science-based targets and ESG frameworks.
Regulatory and legislative influence — engage proactively with lawmakers and regulators to shape emerging environmental law, government policy, and reporting requirements.
Organizational learning at scale — architect enterprise-wide learning strategies that institutionalize adaptive sustainability practice, enabling continuous improvement across all business units.

Course Pathway

55 courses in this program

155 courses