Online Corporate Social Responsibility Degrees

Corporate responsibility plays a major role in the way that businesses interact with their communities, and students who plan to pursue careers in business may benefit from online corporate social responsibility degrees. Corporate social responsibility or CSR is a business model that enables managers to understand the needs of their communities and to develop and implement practical solutions to social and environmental issues. Future business leaders will benefit from CSR programs that instill the value of collective responsibility, and this article discusses relevant programs. The following colleges were selected for this list because they are accredited colleges that offer an online Corporate Social Responsibility degree with affordable tuition.

Temple University

Richard J. Fox School of Business and Management

Founded in 1888 as a public institution, Temple University has grown into a large college with a substantial student population located in the urban setting of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Temple University’s Richard J. Fox School of Business and Management boasts a number of prestigious distinctions including ranking 48th on U.S. News and World Report’s list of the best business schools in the country. The business school offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs, and students who hope to pursue a career in business leadership roles or human resources management will find ample opportunity with Temple’s Master of Science — Human Resource Management program.

Master of Science — Human Resource Management

Most schools do not offer individual online corporate social responsibility degrees, but the master’s programs available from Temple University’s Fox School of Business focus on corporate social responsibility as a primary building block for their curriculum. Students who pursue the Master of Science — Human Resource Management degree will be taught by experienced instructors who value the importance of corporate sustainability. The master’s program takes one year to complete on a full-time schedule, but students may work on the degree part-time. Those who pursue an M.B.A. instead can also pursue their degree entirely online. The M.S. in Human Resource Management program requires 30 credits and covers a variety of topics such as ethical decision-making and effective organizational communication. At the end of the program, students will be eligible to sit for several different certification exams related to careers in human resources, and the program has been sanctioned by the Society for Human Resource Management or SHRM.

Accreditation
ACSB International — Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business

Contact
1801 Liacouras Walk
Philadelphia, PA 19122-6083
215-204-5890
foxinfo@temple.edu
Website
Tuition: $14,096 for in-state and $24,122 for out-of-state

Lubbock Christian University

Online Degrees

Lubbock Christian University was established as a private college in 1957 and remains a small but substantial university in Texas. The school is committed to educating students through a combination of modern academics and traditional Church of Christ doctrine, and to that end they offer a variety of degrees and completion programs that enable students to pursue their fields of interest while developing their religious faith. Students looking for careers in management will appreciate Lubbock University’s online bachelor’s programs, and the Bachelor’s in Organizational Management program in particular will prepare students for careers that center on corporate social responsibility and ethics.

BS in Organizational Management

In an effort to assist students with college expenses, Lubbock University recently announced a 15 percent tuition decrease for its online bachelor’s completion programs. Students who need to turn their associate’s degrees into a bachelor’s will appreciate the reduced price as well as the rigorous academic program centered on ethics and business sustainability. Lubbock University’s BS in Organizational Management program emphasizes strong moral character along with modern business techniques to encourage student development into effective business leaders. This program is a completer program, and students need to have at least 40 hours of transfer credits from a two-year school or university in order to enter the program. Once admitted, students need to complete a total of 120 semester hours designated as follows: 36 major credits, 38 university core credits, 18 relevant supporting credits and 28 elective credits. Courses cover standard business topics such as managerial accounting, innovation, and principles of marketing.

Accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)

Contact
5601 19th Street
Lubbock TX, 79407
877-307-5894
online@lcu.edu
Website
Tuition: $18,740 for all students

Southern New Hampshire University

Online Graduate Degrees

For a small private college founded in 1932, Southern New Hampshire University garners a hefty amount of praise for its College of Online and Continuing Education. Students will have no trouble finding online corporate social responsibility degrees when it comes to SNHU as the school offers comprehensive degree programs. While most schools that value corporate sustainability offer a general master’s in business with a focus on the subject, Southern New Hampshire University takes this idea to the next level by offering an Online MBA in Corporate Social Responsibility in which students will learn the importance of business growth while respecting community and environmental sustainability.

MBA in Corporate Social Responsibility

In addition to offering a comprehensive MBA in Corporate Social Responsibility program, Southern New Hampshire University boasts one of the most affordable online M.B.A. programs in the country. Students can choose to complete all or part of their degree online or on campus, and the program can be completed full-time or part-time to meet individual scheduling needs. The corporate social responsibility program focuses on business courses such as strategic management and multinational corporate environment, but classes also cover topics relevant to the field of sustainability such as corporate accountability and business ethics. Most students can complete the program within 15 months by taking two courses during each 10-week term. Students who choose the online track will be given access to online discussion forums, case study work and group projects that enhance the academic experience while respecting personal schedules. SNHU practices rolling admission, and students do not need to take the GRE or GMAT exam to apply.

Accreditation
New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Inc., (NEASC)
Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)

Contact
2500 North River Road
Manchester, NH 03106
800-668-1249
mba@snhu.edu
Website
Tuition: $28,884 for all students

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

School of Government

As one of the oldest public higher education institutions in the United States, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill holds several distinctions at the undergraduate and graduate levels. The school as a whole ranks 30th on U.S. News and World Report’s list of the best national universities while its School of Government graduate program boasts a number 23 ranking for Public Affairs. When it comes to online corporate social responsibility degrees, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill leads the way in innovative degrees by offering a unique MPA@UNC program centered on flexibility and top-notch business academics.

Master of Public Administration

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill takes a modern and innovative approach to its graduate programs, and students hoping to pursue careers in public administration will appreciate the total flexibility of Chapel Hill’s MPA@UNC program. The school recognizes the need for thorough instruction on the topic of corporate responsibility and tailors its graduate program on the idea that business professionals should promote sustainability whenever possible. Students who enroll in the MPA@UNC program will gain access to live courses taught by regular faculty members, hands-on learning experiences and self-study opportunities that enable them to earn a master’s degree on their own schedules. The MPA program requires 44 credits divided into 27 core credits, 15 elective credits, one practicum or professional work experience credit and one portfolio credit. Students can complete the MPA@UNC program in 18 months on a full-time schedule and up to five years working on a part-time schedule.

Accreditations
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA)

Contact
Knapp-Sanders Building
Campus Box 3330
Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3330
1-855-862-4672
OnlineMPA@unc.edu
Website
Tuition: $8,271 for in-state and $21,416 for out-of-state

University of Phoenix

School of Business

The University of Phoenix has a worldwide reputation of offering some of the most flexible and affordable online degree programs available, and students interested in a career in corporate responsibility will find a variety of avenues within Phoenix’s School of Business. The business school offers several undergraduate and graduate programs that prepare students to enter into the workforce quickly and well-prepared to meet the challenges of modern corporations. With the Master of Management program, students can earn a master’s degree that will help them understand the need for corporate social responsibility while educating them on the latest business techniques and methodologies.

Master of Management

Students seeking online corporate social responsibility degrees will find plenty of opportunity at the University of Phoenix. “Ethics and Social Responsibility” is one of the core courses required for a Master of Management degree from the University of Phoenix, and its description underscores the university’s commitment to developing socially responsible graduates: “This course prepares students to align an organization’s social responsibility initiatives with its values.” The master’s program requires 42 credits spread out over a self-paced curriculum that can be completed in as little as a year following a full-time schedule. The program emphasizes three core educational objectives centered on developing better business leaders, enhancing technological prowess and educating future leaders on the most effective forms of communication and productivity in the workplace. Students who enroll in the online program gain access to world-class faculty members with several decades of experience as well as hands-on courses that stimulate educational growth and development.

Accreditation
Higher Learning Commission which is a member of the North Central Association
The Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)

Contact
3157 E. Elwood Street
Phoenix, AZ 85034
866-766-0766
Website
Tuition: $11,320 for all students

University of Wisconsin

Division of Continuing Education, Outreach and E-Learning

Established in 1848, the University of Wisconsin claims the number 41 spot on U.S. News and World Report’s list of the best national universities. The college’s Division of Continuing Education, Outreach and E-Learning offers a unique program that propels social responsibility to a new level and enables students to focus their business expertise into a field with growing momentum. In a joint effort by the university’s five campuses, the Master of Science in Sustainable Management focuses on several educational objectives: understanding of social progress, protection of the environment, consideration and effective use of natural resources, and development of employment opportunities with economic growth.

Master of Science in Sustainable Management

The University of Wisconsin believes in empowering professional executives with the knowledge they need to succeed not only in the boardroom but in the environment and local communities as well. Students who pursue a Master of Science in Sustainable Management will gain access to a wide range of innovative courses that cover topics such as sustainable water management, the economics of sustainability, and geopolitical systems. The program requires 14 total courses and can be completed entirely online. Wisconsin’s program is unique in that the entire focus of the program is on sustainability, and students who study here will take courses covering everything from the history of corporate sustainability to modern methods of conservation and global outreach. In order to apply, students need to hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and maintain a 3.0 grade point average or GPA. Students with a lower GPA may be required to take additional prerequisite courses.

Accreditations
North Central Association of Colleges and Schools

Contact
University of Wisconsin System
Madison, WI 53706
1-877-895-3276
sustainable@uwex.edu
Website
Tuition: $5,183 for in-state and $12,167 for out-of-state

No matter the area of business or the goal of future business leaders, corporate social responsibility matters to the success of an organization and its community. Students who enroll in one of the aforementioned programs will gain valuable insight into the methods of shaping and enhancing the communities in which they work. These online corporate social responsibility degrees offer great flexibility while helping students to become more socially aware.