Course content
Master in Sustainability and Social Innovation
This program is aimed at high-level applicants who strive to become changemakers. Whatever the size of the company, the function or the sector they will work in, graduates will acquire the skills to do business in a world that is increasingly crowded, polarized, angry, and unstable and to shape tomorrow’s sustainable businesses and inclusive economies.
The curriculum is structured around core courses which provide participants with the toolbox they need to become change-makers, and electives, which allows them to deepen their knowledge on key issues related to sustainability, social innovation and the broader business environment. All classes are designed to help participants hone their analytical skills, develop their ability to mobilize and communicate on meaningful topics and enhance their ability to transform organizations. They are all meant to support the participants’ quest for purposeful change and impact.
Participants also apply the knowledge acquired to work on company cases and define solutions to real life problems. Conferences and seminars also provide participants with the opportunity to discuss and exchange with experts. During the year, students can also customize their learning by following a specialization track either in intrapreneurship, entrepreneurship or research.
As part of their final academic requirements, all participants must complete a thesis.
In addition to their specialization, participants can also apply to follow one of the certificates offered by HEC and running between end of April and early June.
Course portfolio
At the end of this program you will develop your skills in :
- Acquire the fundamentals in sustainability and social innovation applied to the business world
- Identify current and future megatrends disrupting business environments, as well as the associated risks and opportunities.
- Leverage business mechanisms to generate positive social and environmental impact
- Challenge, adapt and transform classic business models and managerial tools to sustainability-related challenges
- Quizzes, exercices
- Case studies
- Business games and role-playing games
- Action projects
- Professional immersions
- A master's thesis (research paper)
Semester 1
- Research Methods
SEMESTER 1
Science & Economics
- Climate Change Economics
- Development Economics
- Rethinking Energy
- World Food System
Sustainable Businesses
- Decarbonization Strategies
- Regenerative Procurement
- Strategy & Business Models for Sustainability
- Sustainable Finance
- Sustainable Operations Management
- Test your Start-up: Turning your Idea into a Start-up*
Social and Technological Changes
- Business & Human Rights
- Critical Thinking and Persuasive Communication
- Data Science for Sustainability
Leadership and Governance
- ESG Reporting
- European Climate Policy & Regulations
- Social Impact Assessment
- Socially Responsible Investing
SEMESTER 2
Science & Economics
- Biodiversity Policies
- Ocean Protection: Challenges, Public Policies and Solutions
- Sustainable Development & Systemic Shocks
Sustainable Businesses
- Circular Economy
- Environmental Accounting & Performance
- Transforming Value Chains: Sustainable Strategies and Operations
Social and Technological Changes
- Decarbonization of transport
- Diversity and inclusion*
- Innovation, AI, and Impact
- Sustainable Urban Development*
Leadership and Governance
- Dark side of CSR
- Impact Investing
- Companionship*
* Shared course with other Masters
Please note that courses can be subject to change from year to year. This list is indicative.
Intrapreneurship Track
Students choosing this track have the opportunity to conduct a Business Project in an organization taking their first steps towards sustainability or willing to expand their sustainable practices. A 2-day seminar designed to help students hone their consulting methodology skills is included.
Entrepreneurship Track
Students working on a solid impact startup project will have the opportunity to work on the development of their idea during the second semester through the HEC Paris Launchpad. The Launchpad, in partnership with other HEC masters, is an intense and condensed 11-week program to support the creation of your start-up, supervised by experienced mentors and experts under the concept of learning by doing and throughout a series of specific masterclasses.
Electives Track
Dig deeper into sustainability and related fields by taking electives only. This will give you the opportunity to academically explore a wider range of topics in sustainability.
AgroParisTech Exchange
Programme Forêt Nature et Société - Management international
Master's program at AgroParisTech (exchange in French for up to 3 students during Semester 2).
SASI Opening Seminar - The Fundamentals of Sustainability and Social Innovation: How the Climate-Biodiversity-Inequality Triple Crisis Shapes the Firm’s Business Environment.
This seminar will define key concepts, provides participants with an overview of the stakes of the ecological and social transition with conferences, guest speakers and workshops and simulation games.
Januray Seminar
Two weeks full time, and including a 3-day Introspection Seminar: Self-Awareness for Collective Transformation
HEC Paris provides students with online courses in the following fields:
Strategy
Finance / Accounting
Marketing
These courses are mandatory for non-business profiles and are designed to bring them up to date with what they need to know to successfully complete the program.
Optional double-degree programs (year +1)
Students can apply for one of the following double programs:
- Norwegian School of Economics (NHH) - MSc in Economics & Business Administration, with a Major in Energy, Natural Resources and the Environment (ENE)
- Georgetown University - McCourt School of Public Policy - Master of Public Policy
Participants must write a master's thesis to graduate from this program. It represents a real opportunity to have impact on the public debate: through cutting-edge research and careful consideration of how it can be implemented in practice, participants are expected to shed light on a stake that we know little about and/or that we do not fully understand. The thesis is an important component of the program as a result.
The objective of this learning expedition is to discover how local public and private organizations concretely respond to current societal and environmental challenges in a given geopolitical climate. To find some answers, students visit large organizations, start-ups and small businesses who have found innovative local or regional solutions.
The study trip will take place in France or in a neighboring country.
The professional experience requirement is satisfied when the participant completes a professional experience of at least 4 months in fields related to their coursework at HEC Paris. It is, however, important to stress that this professional experience may not be an internship per se.
Our policy at HEC Paris is that the best type of internship is a full-time job! We strongly encourage our participants to look for permanent hiring as soon as the academic year starts.
As an international business school, HEC Paris welcomes participants from all over the world. Almost one hundred nationalities live on the campus. It's a fantastic opportunity to discover other cultures and to share exceptional moments, and it's important that participants can communicate as much as they wish.
HEC Paris Learning Center of Languages aims at helping participants to learn or strengthen any language they would like, providing a wide range of I.T. and print resources.
Participants do not need to speak French to enroll in the program as all core courses and most electives are offered in English. However, some knowledge of French can be useful to enjoy the full HEC experience, become professionally bicultural and optimize networking with French participants and alumni. This is why HEC Paris offers optional French language classes.
Prior to their studies, participants may also register for a two week French language course (TEF certificate – all levels) in August. This is an exceptional opportunity to learn French before joining the Campus (extra fees are applicable).
Certification
This program is accredited to grant a Master’s degree under European Standards and, by extension, are registered on RNCP (Répertoire national des certifications professionnelles)
The grade of master, or master's degree, is acquired through various diplomas, officially establishes the level of training at bac + 5. It comes after the bachelor's degree (bac + 3) and precedes the doctorate (bac + 8). It is translated into a number of credits (ECTS): a student with a diploma conferring the grade of master has accumulated 300 ECTS (180 during their bachelor's degree and 120 for the master's degree) during his or her higher education studies, allowing him or her to continue on to a doctorate. Degrees were introduced in France to facilitate European mobility of students and the integration of diplomas between European countries
HEC Paris is accredited by the “Bienvenue en France” certification, by the Campus France organization and the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation for the quality of the reception of its international students. We have obtained the highest level of accreditation, recognizing the quality of HEC Paris for reception in all the criteria provided:
- The quality and accessibility of information
- Reception facilities and the integration process within school and life in France
- Academic support and availability of English-speaking staff and the teaching community
- Housing and quality of life on campus
- The quality of post-graduation follow-up and career placement
Your Degree
Disability Program for Learners
This program is adapted and open to people with disabilities.
Click here to find out more about the HEC Paris Disability Mission
Contact us : esh@hec.fr