Work of the Program

Students in the low residency Masters in Socially Responsible Business and Sustainable Communities Program share a desire to make a difference by helping to create more just, humane, democratic, and sustainable organizations and communities. Studies within the program are self-designed and unique to each student. Students in the low residency MA in Socially Responsible Business and Sustainable Communities Program develop and carry out an individualized plan of study built around their chosen area of focus and an in-depth topic of inquiry. During on-site residencies, students work in close partnership with their faculty advisor to design the work of the semester. This approach to student-centered study assures that each student’s academic work is deeply engaging and meaningful to their lives and learning objectives.

Working and learning in their own communities, students exchange five written packets over the course of the semester with their faculty advisor. Through the exchange of packets and responses, students maintain a close connection with their advisor, document their learning, and receive constructive feedback and encouragement. In general, packets reflect the combination of academic work (critical reading, thinking and writing), process of personal discovery, and application of learning in real life settings that are the heart of emancipatory progressive education.