Sustainable Chemistry Management (MBA)

Overview

This MBA (Master of Arts) in Sustainable Chemistry Management, taught in English, blends the principles of sustainability management with practical knowledge specific to the chemical sector. The curriculum is designed to help students understand how to incorporate sustainable-chemistry concepts into business decisions and operational processes, equipping them to drive organizational change toward sustainability.

The program emphasizes the managerial and strategic dimensions of sustainable chemistry: students study assessment and planning tools, leadership and ethics, policy and regulatory frameworks, and innovation strategies that enable circular product and resource flows. Graduates are positioned to take on roles that reshape socio-economic activities to meet sustainability goals, including climate neutrality and safer chemical management across supply chains.

Core topics covered

• Concepts of green chemistry and sustainable chemistry
• Sustainability management and assessment
• Leadership and ethics
• Innovation management
• Policy frameworks for chemicals and waste management
• Regulations for chemical safety in products and supply chains
• Strategies for implementing product and resource circularity
• Strategic planning for climate neutrality

Program facts & practical notes

• Degree: MBA (Master of Arts)
• Field: Business Administration
• Language of instruction: English
• The original description did not list specific admission requirements; consult the university’s official information for details on entry qualifications, language tests, documents, and application deadlines.

Program overview

This three-semester MBA is delivered primarily through online study, with two mandatory on-campus sessions at the start and the end of the programme on the Leuphana University campus. The on-site blocks combine lectures and seminars with extensive opportunities to meet and network with practitioners, policymakers and other stakeholders active in sustainable chemistry and sustainability management. The blended format gives flexibility for working professionals while still providing focused, face-to-face learning and relationship-building.

The curriculum is built around integrated sustainability and management content with a clear focus on the chemistry sector. Core modules cover foundations of sustainability management (principles, perspectives, conditions and applied practice) and subject-specific topics such as concepts of sustainable chemistry, circular economy and resource management, regulatory frameworks and practical tools for assessing and implementing sustainable chemical solutions. The programme concludes with a research-based master’s thesis. Graduates will be prepared to design and apply sustainability strategies in chemical value chains, interpret and comply with international regulations, deploy tools for greener product and process design, and engage responsibly with society and stakeholders.

Key facts and module breakdown

• Duration: 3 semesters
• Delivery: Mostly online, with two on-site sessions (beginning and end) at Leuphana University campus — on-site formats include lectures, seminars and networking
• Total credit points: 60 CP

Module list (credit points)

• Principles of Sustainability Management — 5 CP
• Perspectives of Sustainability Management — 5 CP
• Conditions for Sustainability Management — 5 CP
• Applied Sustainability Management — 5 CP
• Concepts of Sustainable Chemistry — 5 CP
• Resources, Recycling and Circular Economy — 5 CP
• Regulations and International Conventions — 5 CP
• Tools for Sustainable Chemistry — 5 CP
• Society and Responsibility — 5 CP
• Master’s Thesis — 15 CP

Learning outcomes (summary)

• Understand and apply core sustainability management frameworks to chemical industry contexts
• Analyse and implement circular economy and resource-efficient solutions for chemical products and processes
• Interpret international regulations and conventions relevant to sustainable chemistry and compliance
• Use practical tools and methods to assess environmental, social and regulatory aspects of chemical innovations
• Communicate and collaborate with a range of stakeholders, reflecting societal responsibility and ethical considerations
• Conduct independent research and produce a substantive master’s thesis addressing real-world sustainability challenges in chemistry

Graduates are prepared for leadership and specialist roles at the intersection of chemistry and sustainability, such as sustainability manager, regulatory affairs specialist, product stewardship or circular economy manager in chemical companies, supply-chain sustainability roles, and sustainability consultants serving industry and public-sector clients. The programme’s combination of regulatory knowledge, chemical safety, and sustainability management equips alumni to drive implementation of green-chemistry practices and resource-circular strategies within organisations.

Additionally, graduates can pursue roles in policy, international organisations, NGOs, and consultancy firms focused on chemicals management and climate strategies. The part-time, practice-oriented format and industry-relevant modules (regulations, tools for sustainable chemistry, innovation management) support career advancement for professionals seeking managerial or advisory positions in both private and public sectors.