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Program Overview

The Rubenstein School offers a Master of Professional Studies in Leadership for Sustainability (MLS) designed for emerging and experienced leaders who wish to deepen their capacity to catalyze change and transcend boundaries.

The MLS program workload and schedule is designed for working leaders and is intended to support learning that can immediately be applied to the work students are doing in their communities, organizations, institutions or other initiatives.

This two-year, distance-learning program offers an innovative blend of week-long remote learning intensive experiences and engaging online classroom sessions with professional affiliates and peers. The core curriculum and innovative pedagogy are grounded in the belief that the changes we create in the world are reflective of the changes and conditions we cultivate in ourselves. 

Students working in a wide variety of professional fields and communities explore leadership practices that are inspired by the wisdom of nature and challenge forces of domination and oppression. In year two, students conduct a capstone project for which they apply their learnings in their home community.

Our Master of Professional Studies combines the theoretical background of a traditional research degree (Master of Arts or Master of Science) with an applied, professionally-oriented curriculum.

Want to learn more? Check out the MLS website or !

Curriculum

Core Coursework

The MLS core curriculum is comprised of four courses with a total of 15 credits, designed to span the first year of the program. Each course is remote and includes week-long learning intensives. Synchronous course meetings occur on bi-weekly Tuesdays, from 7:00-8:30pm ET. 

Capstone Coursework 

In year two of the program students focus on their capstone projects, completing six credits over three semesters. Students are required to develop a project proposal; implement project activities; complete a culminating final report; and present their Capstone project at the annual Leadership for Sustainability Summit.

Elective Courses and Areas of Specialization

Students take 9-credits of elective courses throughout their second year of the program. These courses can support the development of a unique area of specialization or allow students to explore multiple topics. 

Deadlines

Now accepting applications for Fall 2025!

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Rolling consideration for internal scholarships.

Mid-February: First-round review of applications
Late February through July: Ongoing rolling admissions and monthly application review/decisions based on enrollment capacity
Late August: Program begins with a 3 credit week-long intensive

Admissions

Applications Require

• Graduate College Application
• Statement of Purpose
• Three letters of recommendation
• College transcripts or description of approved professional certificate 
• Resume
• TOEFL scores for those whose native language is not English, and who have not earned a degree from a U.S. institution or an institution in Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, United Kingdom, or an English speaking institution in Canada, Ghana, Kenya or Nigeria.

Statement of Purpose Prompts

In your statement of purpose (~1,000 words), please address the following prompts:

• ​What attracts you to the MLS program and how might the program support you to catalyze the change you wish to create in yourself and in the world? 
• What do you lead? Reflect on where you currently are in your leadership journey, and the learning and leadership edges/questions/challenges you wish to explore through the program. 
• Elaborate or reflect on what motivates you as a leader and/or is inspiring you toward a deeper life calling.

Letters of Recommendation

We recommend that you choose letters of recommendation that can speak to these three criteria:

• Your leadership experience 
• Your willingness to engage with ambiguity, complexity and tension in a learning community
• Your capacity and willingness to receive feedback and take an open stance toward learning

¶¶Òõ̽̽ Graduate College Application

Outcomes

Program Aspiration: To participate in creating conditions for all life to thrive over the long-haul.

Three Central Learning Goals: 

• Leadership inspired by the wisdom of nature:  Deepening our relationships with our more-than-human kin and the ecological systems, patterns, processes, and organizing principles that can inspire our leadership and change-making processes;
• Transforming structures of domination and oppression: Enhancing our ability to critically examine and transform dominant mindsets/worldviews and shift inequitable systems, patterns and structures of power and privilege;
• Practice: Deepening leadership practices (see below) that enhance our capacity to draw on multiple ways of knowing, stay centered, catalyze change, advance the work of our communities, organizations, and social movements and participate in creating conditions for life to thrive over the long haul.

Costs and Funding

The MLS program holds financial accessibility as a top priority and is committed to supporting students to attend regardless of financial need. 90% of students receive significant financial support. 

Tuition & Fees Details

From the Student Financial Services Graduate college tuition website:

• Out-of-State Resident Rate: $1,375 per credit
• Vermont Resident Rate: standard Vermont resident rate

Visit Student Financial Services for a detailed account of tuition and comprehensive fees at ¶¶Òõ̽̽ (note that 30 credits are required to graduate). You can also reach out to Drusilla Roessle for a summary.

More

A Leadership for Sustainability Fellowship program is also available, which can be tailored for one to two years. The Fellowship can be credit or non-credit bearing and is designed for individuals who are interested in the program, but do not want or need a Master's Degree. Contact Drusilla Roessle to discuss the Fellowship options and Fellowship application process, which differs from the graduate college application.