Erb alumni are enacting change across industries, including consulting, impact investing, food and agriculture, energy, consumer packaged goods, supply chain, and more. You can learn more on our Careers page.

Students enrolled in the dual-degree program must take the core required courses at both SEAS and Ross. SEAS students also need to determine a track of study (see the full list of SEAS tracks here). Once students in both schools fulfill their core requirements, they may choose to enroll in elective courses. In addition to the core courses of the MBA and MS degrees, Erb Institute students are required to enroll in Erb on the Road, a course designed exclusively for first-year Erb students. The course introduces a carefully selected set of sustainability issues and management tools that sustainability professionals should understand before entering the marketplace. The course also provides a framework for career visioning in sustainability.

The Erb Institute is named after Frederick A. and Barbara M. Erb, who founded the institute in 1996 and have provided vital support and contributions in the ensuing years. Click here for more information regarding the founders.

Unlike the ESG concentration through the Ross MBA, the Erb Institute dual-degree MBA/MS places sustainability at the core of your degree—not as a specialization within it. In addition to exclusive cohort programming, workshops, funding, and networking opportunities, the dual-degree provides deep expertise in both business and sustainability, preparing you to drive lasting impact at the company and community level. It's the right fit if you want sustainability to define your career, not just inform it.

Because the Erb Institute dual degree is a 2.5- or 3-year program, students have have the opportunity to pursue two summer internships. Erb students can use both Ross Career Services and SEAS Career Services during their efforts. The Erb Institute also assists with any additional searches off campus or within our business network. The Erb Institute Student Advisory Board regularly holds career workshops throughout the year, which help to connect current students with alumni and board members to help navigate the process.

If you want to complete the dual-degree MBA/MS in 2.5 years, a course load of 15 to 16 credits per term is recommended. You will need to work closely with academic advisors from both Ross and SEAS to ensure they are completing credits for both programs. 

As an Erb student, you can start at either the School for Environment and Sustainability or Ross. Historically, most students have opted to start at SEAS, but in recent years, an increasing number of students are choosing to start at Ross. Each student’s decision for where to start is deeply personal, shaped by factors such as funding, individual preferences, and preferred program timeline. You will select your starting school the summer before your first term, and are strongly encouraged to consult academic advisors from both Ross and SEAS, Erb staff, and current students before making your decision. Because Erb is an interdisciplinary program, you may take courses in and access all the resources at both schools, even when you're primarily enrolled in only one.