Facts & Dates

Selection Criteria

A good match is important on both sides—yours and ours—so we take a holistic approach to considering each candidate. You will be considered a strong applicant for the Master in Business, Climate, and Sustainability (MBCS) program if:

  • We’re confident you will be successful in our program
  • You’ll add value through your academic, personal, and professional experiences (including job and internship roles, course projects, volunteer work, etc.)
  • You believe diversity in thought and background is important within your community
  • You demonstrate competence, character, and purpose, and have strong potential to be a leader who is a positive force for change

Although not required for admission, any prior work experience you’ve had helps us understand how you have developed leadership and teamwork skills, as well as maturity, on both professional and personal levels.

  • There is no minimum work experience required for this program.
  • Any paid or unpaid work experience will be considered, including volunteer positions, part-time work, student clubs and activities, and internships.
  • We recommend applicants have no more than 2 years of full-time post-graduate work experience since this is a pre-professional program. Contact admissions if you have more experience and want to discuss your options.
  • In your application, show us how your previous experiences will contribute to the MBCS learning environment.

The Master in Business, Climate, and Sustainability program is rigorous and fast-paced, requiring strong quantitative and analytical skills. Fuqua and Nicholas value differences and unique points of view, so we admit applicants with:

  • Various undergraduate degrees and professional backgrounds
  • A range of GPAs and test scores

Because the MBCS academic environment requires strong quantitative and analytical skills, the admissions committee pays particular attention to the quantitative segment of your test score to ensure you can handle the rigor of the program.

If you do not have a strong quantitative background, we recommend that you take courses such as statistics, calculus, or finance to show your quantitative aptitude.

English Language Proficiency: English as a Second Language test scores are no longer accepted. Scores for English tests are not required. We also will not accept ESL test scores, even as an optional material submission. We will continue to utilize all other aspects of the application—other standardized tests, essays, undergraduate record, recommendation, and the interview—to evaluate English language skills.

Your resume, application essays, recommendation, and interview are what weave fit, passion, and impact together into your "story." No one part is more important than the other, so give each one your best. And most importantly, just be you.

Resume:

You must include a current 1-page professional resume. Please start with your current position and include employment information (full and part-time) and relevant volunteer work, internships, or student club or organization positions. Your education section should show dates of attendance and degrees received.

Essays:

Your essays allow us to get to know you as a person, what drives you, and inspires you. You have the chance here to fill in any gaps or provide extra details on key areas of your application.

Recommendation:

Recommendations provide a third-party perspective on your ability to succeed in this program. One letter of recommendation is required and should come from someone who knows you in a professional context, such as a supervisor at an internship or place of employment. If you are unable to provide a professional recommendation, you may submit a recommendation from someone who knows you through school and can speak to your performance in an academic setting. Please clarify if you select this option in the Optional Essay. You may not submit more than one recommendation. Prepare your recommender so they represent you well and showcase aspects of you that are not reflected in other areas of the application.

Interview:

We do not offer open interviews for MBCS candidates. Interviews will be extended by invitation after careful review of your application materials. Most interviews will occur via video conference; North Carolina residents may have the opportunity to interview on campus by invitation. Both formats carry equal weight in the admissions process. Interviews are conducted with individual applicants by staff, alumni, or select second-year MBA students.

During your interview, you’ll have the opportunity to:

  • Show us your interpersonal skills
  • Discuss your educational background and personal interests
  • Demonstrate how you and Fuqua are a good fit

MBCS Quick Facts

Start Date: July 2026
Duration: 10 months
Program location: Durham, NC
Campus location: Fuqua School of Business and Nicholas School of the Environment
Style: Cohort-based

Master in Business, Climate, and Sustainability Deadlines

RoundApplication DeadlineInterview Invitation SentDecision ReleaseDeposit Deadline2nd Deposit Deadline
Round 1Jan. 14Feb. 6Mar. 11Apr. 10May 1
Round 2Mar. 4Mar. 31Apr. 27May 18Jun. 1
Round 3Apr. 14Apr. 30May 21Jun. 1Jun. 1
Round 4May 14May 28Jun. 10Jun. 22Jun. 22

If you are looking for a merit-based scholarship: We encourage students to apply early for the best chance of receiving merit-based scholarship; however, we will still make awards to deserving candidates in every admission round.