Master of Science in Sustainability Engineering Leadership
Master of Science in Sustainability Engineering Leadership
Drive the Development of Sustainable Technologies
The Master of Science (MS) in Sustainability Engineering Leadership is a unique double-degree program from Northeastern University’s Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and University College Dublin. It focuses on engineering design, development, and assessment of sustainable technologies, and is coupled with the engineering management and leadership skills needed to deploy the technologies in the marketplace.
The first year of the program is offered in Boston, and the second year in Dublin. Upon graduation, students earn an MS degree in Sustainability Engineering Leadership from both Northeastern University and University College Dublin. The program prepares graduates for in-demand senior technical sustainability positions in engineering and industrial firms, consultancies, and environmental organizations.
Innovative Curriculum
Students develop the skills needed to quantify the sustainability of a product, process, or system; identify areas for improvement; and devise and manage measures for implementation to improve sustainability. They build the capacity to lead the implementation of sustainability principles and the processes within an organization through an understanding of technical requirements, quantitative skills to capture and assess relevant environmental performance data, and leadership and critical analysis skills for project management. Students select a concentration: Sustainability Assessment, or Energy & Climate Technologies.
Experiential learning is a core component of the program. All students pursue a research thesis or an engineering leadership challenge project in industry. Northeastern is an R1 top-tier research institution and the program partners with the established and highly competitive Gordon Institute for Engineering Leadership.
- Double-degree program offered in two countries (U.S. and Ireland), at top engineering schools, providing students a competitive advantage, wider career options, and deepened knowledge.
- Students earn an MS degree from both Northeastern University and University College Dublin.
- Combines sustainability engineering and leadership in partnership with the established and sought-after Gordon Institute for Engineering Leadership at Northeastern.
- Offers flexibility to map the program to career interests through a selection of one of two concentrations, course electives, and experiential learning with a choice of either a research thesis or industry engineering leadership challenge project.
- Serves as a foundation for students interested in pursuing doctoral-level research.
- Provides the opportunity to participate in Northeastern’s top-ranked cooperative education program to gain real-world experience before graduating.
- Prepares students for in-demand senior technical sustainability positions in engineering and industrial firms, consultancies, and environmental organizations.
- Describe and quantify sustainability criteria in engineering design for products, processes, or systems.
- Apply engineering management and decision-making tools to evaluate the technical and economic potential of sustainable technologies.
- Demonstrate leadership in sustainable engineering assessment and technology development.
Concentrations
Students select a concentration allowing them to focus their studies in their area of interest.
Analytical methods and modeling frameworks to assess the environmental performance and guide the green engineering of materials, processes, and products.
Engineering design and operation of technologies that enable decarbonization of the energy system and adaptation to climate change.
Experiential Learning
Northeastern combines rigorous academics with experiential learning and research to prepare students for real-world engineering challenges. As part of the MS in Sustainability Engineering Leadership program, all students pursue a research thesis or an engineering leadership challenge project in industry. Northeastern is an R1 top-tier research institution and the program partners with the established and highly competitive Gordon Institute for Engineering Leadership.
Additionally, students have the opportunity to participate in Northeastern’s top-ranked cooperative education program. Also known as a “co-op,” the program is one of the largest and most innovative in the world, and Northeastern is one of only a few that offers a co-op program for graduate students. Through this program, students gain up to eight months of industry experience as part of the academic curriculum, giving them a competitive advantage after graduation.
Program Goals
The MS in Sustainability Engineering Leadership prepares graduates for in-demand senior technical sustainability positions in engineering and industrial firms, consultancies, and environmental organizations.
According to Bloomberg, environmental, social, and governance investments and assets surpassed $30 trillion in value in 2022 and are expected to surpass $40 trillion by 2030. There has been an explosion of focus on the technological, industrial, and policy aspects of addressing sustainability challenges, including climate change. With this growth, there is demand globally for skills combining sustainability engineering and leadership.
Academic Advising
The Academic Advisors in the Graduate Student Services office can help answer many of your questions and assist with various concerns regarding your program and student record. Use the link below to also determine which questions can be answered by your Faculty Program Advisors and OGS Advisors.
Admissions & Aid
Ready to take the next step? Review degree requirements to see courses needed to complete this degree. Then, explore ways to fund your education. Finally, review “admissions information to see our deadlines and gather the materials you need to Apply.
Student Experiences
UCD and Northeastern Launch Double Degree in Sustainability Engineering Leadership
University College Dublin and the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Northeastern launched a double MS in sustainability engineering leadership, which will enable students to study in both Boston and Dublin to address the global demand for sustainability expertise in engineering.