“Certificates are more about broadening your current education. But a master’s program teaches you how to think strategically, lead projects and influence decision-makers.”

Explore the pros and cons of ESG certifications versus a master’s degree — and why USC’s Online Master of Sustainability Management might be the best choice for long-term impact.

Staying competitive in today’s global marketplace means aligning financial performance with environmental impact and social responsibility. More and more organizations are turning to sustainability managers to harmonize these priorities.

And as concerns about climate change, equity and ethics intensify from consumers and regulators alike, the need for expert professionals in sustainability management who are able to incorporate the principles of environmental, social and governance (ESG) will keep growing. ESG practices enable companies to operate responsibly beyond financial performance—by managing environmental impact, supporting communities and promoting ethical conduct. Effective ESG performance is increasingly seen as vital to both societal good and long-term success in a connected, global economy.

So how should aspiring ESG leaders build their knowledge and skills? Should you pursue an ESG certification or a master’s degree in sustainability? While each path offers advantages, the Online Master of Sustainability Management (MSM) at the University of Southern California provides a comprehensive, flexible education that equips students to lead transformative sustainability initiatives at any organizational level.

Through in-depth courses in business strategy, climate change, sustainable finance and ESG principles, MSM students learn how to integrate sustainability into core practices. Designed to accommodate busy schedules, the program emphasizes the best practices in practical management and ethical considerations. Students graduate prepared to shape corporate strategy, guide ESG reporting and compliance, influence public policy, improve supply chains and spark innovation across a variety of industries.

Differences in Depth and Impact

ESG certifications — including sustainability certificates as well as Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) and its alternatives — offer a fast way to sharpen skills in areas such as sustainability reporting, climate disclosure or green finance. But their scope is limited.

“Certificates are more about broadening your current education,” notes Amit Jain, an ESG executive who brings experience from The MBS Group, Herbalife and Otis Worldwide to teaching in USC’s MSM program. “But a master’s program teaches you how to think strategically, lead projects and influence decision-makers.”

Sustainability and social impact consultant Danika Tynes agrees. “I love that certificates are available to create awareness,” says Tynes, an MSM instructor who also founded the Sustainable Access Foundation, a community-driven global aid organization. “But if you’re going to be a professional practitioner, you need more than the few classes offered by a certificate program or a few hours in a workshop.”

USC’s ESG Advantage

The USC MSM program is designed to meet the needs of working professionals across sectors. Offered fully online through the Wrigley Institute for Environment and Sustainability and the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, it prepares students to integrate sustainability into every part of a business or organization. The program can be completed in 12 or 24 months, with no GRE required.

The MSM’s courses may be virtual, but they build real-world experience. “You’re not just learning to create solutions but also about how to implement them,” says Shannon Gibson, USC Professor (Teaching) of Environmental Studies and Political Science and an expert in climate justice and global policy. In addition, she notes, students explore “both the benefits and unintended consequences of the decisions made.”

This training is essential because sustainability management demands a range of technical and strategic capabilities. ESG professionals must understand climate change science, financial modeling, policy frameworks and supply-chain dynamics. They also need strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills to navigate competing priorities and deliver measurable impact.

Careers in this field can be both personally meaningful and professionally rewarding: Sustainability managers in the U.S. earn an average salary of over $112,000, depending on location, industry and role, according to ZipRecruiter.

Global Perspectives

The MSM curriculum is built around these realities. Students gain tools to assess risk, analyze ESG data, improve operations and align with global frameworks such as the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. Topics include environmental justice, stakeholder engagement, sustainable finance and circular economies.

“Our field is inherently interdisciplinary, and it takes a program that brings together the many moving parts of sustainability to prepare leaders,” says Tynes, whose courses include Sustainability Metrics and Reporting — and who ensures that students’ practical experience includes ESG reporting for major organizations before they graduate.

The MSM largely attracts two types of students, according to Jain. “Some are more senior and may be looking to pivot into a new field or gain new expertise,” he says. “Others are recent graduates and early-career professionals.”

Diverse Changemakers

Wide varieties exist within these groups, of course, and students log in for their classes from across the country as well as internationally. Jain appreciates the diversity. “The program is very inclusive, and everyone brings their own perspective — which I often learn from as well,” he observes.

The MSM program also attracts a broad spectrum of applicants because, Tynes notes, sustainability concerns cut across industries. “We have students who work for large organizations like Accenture, Pacific Gas and Electric Company or SpaceX,” she says, “while others are interested in urban agriculture or are just passionate about wanting the world to be here for their children.”

Closer to home, the USC food and beverage manager entered the program to learn ways of promoting reuse and recycling to reduce waste.

“A lot of students are already working in sustainability consulting, reporting and verification at the federal or local level,” Gibson says. “I come from a global perspective, so it’s nice to see how our different experiences can inform each other.”

Optimal Path

Choosing between a certificate or a degree like USC’s MSM ultimately depends on what you want to accomplish, the instructors agree. For current and aspiring professionals wanting to lead sustainability initiatives, advise senior leadership or integrate ESG principles throughout an enterprise, a master’s degree builds the ideal foundation, they add.

A key reason to pursue the online MSM at USC, Tynes, explains, “is because things are just moving too fast to have master’s degrees that are only theoretical. You have to be able to hit the ground running in your field with your degree.”

That’s why the USC MSM offers support, rigor and applicability — equipping students to not only understand sustainability but also to implement it. Beyond gaining expertise through class assignments, students also gain résumé-enhancing experience through a capstone course that enables them to work with actual clients and apply their knowledge to pressing sustainability challenges.

“It’s not easy to do this work,” Jain says. “If it were, then every company would be doing it.”

Fulfilling a Growing Demand

While Jain observes that the current political environment may complicate ESG efforts, “the work must continue because it’s what consumers want, and consumers want forward-thinking companies that are mission-driven and values-driven.”

So as climate change accelerates and consumer demand for ethical business practices grows, companies need leaders who can translate ESG into action. From developing carbon-neutral strategies to embedding equity and human rights into operations, the stakes are high — and the opportunities vast.

USC’s MSM offers the flexibility professionals need, the credibility employers value and the community that fuels innovation. Whether you’re pivoting into ESG or expanding your sustainability career, this program can help you lead the change you want to see.

Learn more about the Online Master of Sustainability Management today.