Societal Challenge Electives

4 

credits in societal challenges

2

transformative projects

7

weeks per course

At D'Amore-McKim, we believe business can be a force for good—and we've built our Online MBA to help you lead with purpose, not just profit. You won't just study business theory—you'll apply it to the world's most pressing challenges.

As part of your journey, you'll take two powerful Societal Challenge courses. First, you'll start with a core course that lays the foundation for understanding how businesses can create value for all stakeholders—not just shareholders. You'll explore systems thinking, stakeholder strategy, and the role of business in shaping a better future. Then, you'll choose one of four elective courses to dive deeper into a topic that aligns with your goals.

You'll hear directly from thought leaders who do this work daily. What are their challenges and their day-to-day experiences? What barriers do they face, and how do they overcome them? You'll take their experiences and build your strategy for leading for the common good.
Marla Baskerville, Associate Professor, Management and Organizational Development; D'Amore-McKim Belonging Leader

In today's business world, doing the right thing isn't just about ethics—it's a smart way to lead. Putting social and environmental impact at the heart of your decisions can actually make organizations stronger and more resilient. You'll hear from leaders who are making a difference, and use their stories to shape your own approach. You'll build practical tools, develop your leadership style, and learn to bring impact into everyday business decisions through a project focused on improving a company's societal footprint.

Examine how to create value for stakeholders and address society's biggest challenges
Discuss actual scenarios faced by today's leading companies, examine different perspectives, debate approaches, and analyze solutions 
Hear from top business leaders about driving impact within their organizations
Apply your knowledge by crafting and presenting a plan to enhance a company's societal impact

Businesses can create so much value beyond profitability—and successful companies put systems in place that measure their performance in terms of the good they can do. That's why you'll tackle societal challenges front and center when you earn your Online MBA.”
Mary Steffel, Associate Professor, Marketing

Want to make a real impact on the planet—and learn how to bring others along with you? In this course, you'll tackle a real sustainability problem—how to get consumers to choose and use eco-friendly products. You'll build a smart, data-driven plan, grow your confidence as a sustainability leader, and gain tools to solve complex environmental challenges—all while connecting with experts shaping the future of responsible business.

Explore best practices for enhancing your business's environmental impact
Conduct primary and secondary research into a consumer-facing sustainability challenge
Analyze your data—pulling in your learnings from your Stakeholder Values & Societal Challenges core course—to construct a business plan to change behavior and enhance your impact
Submit weekly deliverables as you work
Deliver a final recommendation in a formal presentation
Reflect on your successes and challenges—synthesizing your insights into a final analysis

The key to transforming your business's environmental impact lies in your power to change consumer behavior for the better. We need business leaders who can inspire consumers to act more sustainably and build a better future for all of us.
Mary Steffel, Associate Professor, Marketing

Dive deep into workplace social justice and tackle an actual diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) challenge. In this intensive program, you'll move from learning to leading—researching, analyzing, and crafting a data-driven strategy to promote inclusion. Along the way, you'll build confidence, connect with DEI leaders, and gain practical tools to drive equity across organizational culture and the supply chain.

Explore best practices for developing a socially conscious workplace 
Conduct research into a complex customer-facing DEI issue  
Conduct research and analyze your data—pulling in your learnings from your Stakeholder Values & Societal Challenges core course—to develop recommendations to your client 
Submit deliverables as you learn 
Deliver a final recommendation in a formal presentation and executive summary
Reflect on your successes and challenges—synthesizing your insights into a final analysis

You'll grapple with social challenges that companies face in a global business environment—in a deeper, more direct way than you would by simply learning about them in a lecture or a book.
Marla Baskerville, Associate Professor, Management and Organizational Development; D'Amore-McKim Belonging Leader

Curious about how businesses go global—and actually succeed? In this course, you'll get into the real-world decisions companies face when expanding internationally. You'll figure out how to pick the right countries, choose smart entry strategies, and make strategic and sustainable choices. Along the way, you'll team up with companies tackling real international challenges and explore the economic, tech, cultural, and political forces shaping global markets. It's all about building the skills to lead with confidence—wherever in the world your career takes you.

Company analysis: Introduction to the company and its operations, focusing on identifying its sources of competitive advantage.
Country selection: Evaluate and compare countries to determine the best fit for expansion.
Entry mode analysis: Analyze alternative entry modes among international trade and foreign direct investment options to select the best fit for the firm.
Weekly deliverables: Submit individual analyses of data and reflections on internationalization strategies.
Group project: Collaborate on a comprehensive report and presentation, focusing on a specific country and providing strategic insights.
Stakeholder engagement: Understand and address the varying expectations of regulators, customers, distributors, and local communities across countries.