With so many college programs available in Ontario, figuring out what comes next after high school can feel overwhelming. That’s why we’ve put together a look at Mohawk College’s new programs—making it easier to explore your options and start building your list.
This blog will review Mohawk College's new Bachelor of Management - Sustainability programs, available in both a 3-year and a 4-year (Honours) format. Narrowing down what to study is only one part of the process when it comes to selecting a college, program and future career. We hope this information helps you further consider your options when it comes to a degree that is going to help you succeed in complex sustainability roles.
Would I enjoy a management-focused education and career?
Sustainability is a broad field with countless areas of specialization. What makes this program different is how our expert faculty have woven interdisciplinary sustainability learning and technical management knowledge into both the 3- and 4-year Bachelor of Management - Sustainability Degrees for those who have an interest in both.
To start, here are some helpful questions to determine if a Bachelor of Management might be the right fit for you:
- Do you find yourself gravitating towards leadership positions in projects, part-time jobs, volunteering or other roles? If so, do you enjoy helping others succeed and ensuring the job gets done?
- Are your favourite projects group-based?
- Do you have great communication skills and/or an interest in learning how to improve your communication skills?
- Do you prefer hands-on learning and projects that are based on real-world examples? This could be through business projects, building something tangible, marketing assignments, case studies, internships or co-ops.
- Are you interested in businesses, how they work, what they make or how they grow?
If you answered yes to more than two of the questions above, a Bachelor of Management could be rewarding for you. You’re eager to work with others, help improve things and learn practical skills that can solve real-world problems.
There are a variety of Bachelor of Management degrees available throughout Canada. Finding an area of focus, also called “niching down,” is a great way to make a streamlined path from your studies to future career options.
Hopefully, we have helped you determine if a Bachelor of Management is the right fit for you, and this list of short questions can further help you reflect on your interest in focusing on sustainability.
- Are you passionate about the environment? If you’re interested in topics like climate change, social responsibility, renewable energy or ethical business practices, a sustainability degree can help turn that passion into real impact.
- Do you want to build a career that’s meaningful and future-focused?
- Have you enjoyed school or volunteer projects focused on the environment, recycling programs, creative ways to reuse materials, farming practices, community or urban gardening, geography, responsible ways to construct buildings, or government policies on climate change?
- Do you support brands or projects that help with climate change, renewable energy, sustainable farming, protecting oceans or recycling textiles?
- Do you ever ask yourself why businesses, governments or other organizations aren’t doing more to help the environment?
There are tons of topics within sustainability beyond those listed above. To help you with your deliberation process, if you answer yes to two or more of the questions above, a Bachelor of Management - Sustainability Degree could be the ideal way to combine your interest in sustainability and leadership skills.
Which of my strengths and interests can I use in my studies?
While there is no expectation that you will be an expert in every subject at the beginning of this program, here are several ways your current interests or strengths in specific subjects could be applied to different courses and assignments in this degree.
Technology and sciences
In this program, you will learn how technology and science are coming together to help protect our climate. Students will learn about recent outlooks and new technology being used in the renewable energy sectors to better understand the options available today and those that should be readily available in the future. Find out how different types of clean energy options work, as well as the benefits and risks for organizations that are looking to integrate these options into their energy grids.
Students will also learn how carbon impacts and moves throughout our environment, the impact of humans on the carbon cycle, how scientists can track and measure carbon in the atmosphere, and proven methods to reduce carbon output.
Renewable energy and carbon cycle science are two areas covered within these sustainability-focused degrees, which are areas that are top of mind for governments, businesses and other organizations today. Understanding the science and technology behind these key concepts can help you tackle these issues in your future career.
Politics and law
From changing political parties to evolving regulations, politics and the law play a critical role in sustainability efforts. Policies and regulations are always changing and adapting, and leaders need to understand how these laws are made, updated and met.
Whether you’re interested in becoming someone who creates these policies and laws, or someone who wants to help organizations follow policies and regulations to meet their sustainability goals, an interest in politics or the law and protecting our environment are intrinsically linked
Ethics and philosophy
The way businesses and governments look at climate issues has changed considerably, even in the last decade. Climate justice suggests that the state of our planet can’t be labelled as only an environmental issue because it cannot be separated from social and ethical issues.
Students studying in the (Honours) Bachelor of Management - Sustainability degree will look at the various ways climate change unfairly impacts some communities and marginalized groups more than others, as well as the diverse perspectives, including Indigenous knowledge, that should be part of decision-making processes.
The more students learn about the ethics and ideas behind climate justice, the better prepared they are to advocate for fair and responsible decision-making.
Other strengths that will be useful during your studies:
- research and reading
- leadership and teamwork
- business and math
- public speaking or creating presentations
The world needs more sustainability leaders
The United Nations Environment Program estimates that Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) that are focused on solving the environmental, social and climate challenge-based issues facing our world today will create up to 32 million jobs by 2030.
ECO Canada issues a yearly report looking at the trends in sustainability jobs across the country and found careers focused on the environment are continuing to grow in all provinces. The highest number of positions were reported in:
- Ontario
- British Columbia
- Quebec
- Alberta
If you do a quick search for “sustainability careers” or “sustainability degree jobs” today, you’ll find a wide range of organizations looking for consultants, specialists, managers, directors and advisors.
What do these positions all have in common? They require candidates to lead the way on sustainability initiatives, carbon emissions, waste reduction and clean energy goals.
Failure to meet these goals and find experts who can help plan, build and execute solutions for these challenges poses real risks to companies of all sizes. Around the world, the need for sustainability leaders continues to grow.
A closer look at the programs
In the Honours Bachelor of Management - Sustainability and the Bachelor of Management - Sustainability programs, students will gain real-world knowledge and skills to help solve current and future sustainability challenges.
In the 3-year and 4-year hands-on degree programs, students will experience:
Interdisciplinary learning
This program explores how sustainability connects with business strategy, environmental science, technology and social change.
Future leaders will need more than one area of expertise, and this program is designed to give students the background in a variety of areas in order to lead innovative sustainability solutions and projects.
Leadership, sustainability accounting and regulations, as well as project management and communication, will also be covered to help students build the necessary skills to advocate for sustainability best practices effectively.
Real-world experience
Students will need to complete a minimum of 420 hours of on-the-job learning through work experience, plus a capstone project where they will solve real industry challenges.
For example, students will learn how to integrate economic, financial or social considerations when proposing the use of new technologies for sustainability initiatives. They will graduate with more than just theoretical knowledge, gaining the practical experience that employers look for.
Career-ready skills
Course learning and assignments will teach students how to build a sustainability business case, manage carbon footprints, understand policy and regulations, and conduct meaningful research. These types of assignments will help students graduate with the confidence to take on complex problems and make a real impact.
Flexible learning options
Students will study using hybrid course delivery, with about one-third of classes online. This format gives flexibility to learn in a way that works for anyone’s schedule.
What your future career or next steps could look like
The strongest hiring demand in Ontario is coming from industries where leadership and management skills matter most: public administration, consulting, construction, and technical services—all of which rely on sustainability professionals to meet evolving regulations and environmental goals. (Source: ECO Canada, 2024)
After completing this program, you can pursue a career in sustainability or continue your education with a Graduate Certificate or Master’s Degree. No matter which path you choose, you’ll be ready to take on leadership roles and collaborate with teams across a variety of organizations and community settings.
Graduates of this program can explore a wide range of careers that combine sustainability, leadership, and strategy. Here are just a few examples of potential career options and the type of tasks employees perform.
- Change Management Consultant or Analyst: Support organizations as they roll out new systems, strategies, or ways of working, helping teams adapt smoothly and confidently to change.
- Sustainability Specialist: Work with companies or communities to develop and launch environmentally friendly programs that make a real difference.
- Climate Change Analyst: Use data and research to help organizations understand their environmental impact and guide them in creating plans to reduce it.
- Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Specialist: Advise companies on how to improve their environmental practices, social policies and ethical business decisions.
- ESG Risk Advisor: Identify areas where unsustainable actions could damage a company’s reputation or bottom line, and help them make smarter, more responsible choices.
- ESG Compliance Officer: Make sure businesses are following important environmental regulations, corporate responsibility standards and industry best practices.
What these careers all have in common is a drive to create positive change by helping people learn, lead, and shift toward more sustainable ways of working. That might mean coaching one team through new policies or helping an entire organization rethink its approach to sustainability.
The best part? The skills you gain in this field are highly transferable. You could work across different industries or take on a variety of roles throughout your career. Many professionals in this space also work for sustainability consulting firms or even start their own businesses, giving them the freedom to choose the types of projects and clients they’re most passionate about.
Why consider Mohawk College?
Mohawk College’s Fennell Campus is right in the heart of Hamilton — a welcoming, mid-sized city that’s full of energy, culture, and great places to explore. Whether you’re into festivals, food, nature, or music, you’ll find something to love here.
The campus itself has recently been updated with amazing features like modern labs, a health and wellness centre, and plenty of food spots to keep you fueled for class (or study breaks!).
You can live right on campus in residence, just steps away from your classes, or easily commute using local transit. It's super accessible either way.
How to learn more or apply
To learn more about these new programs, please visit the School of Climate Action page, contact climateaction [at] mohawkcollege.ca (ClimateAction[at]mohawkcollege[dot]ca) or book a campus tour to learn more about sustainability degree programs in Ontario.
This program is now available for students to apply through the Ontario Colleges website, where you can also find more details about the 3-year and 4-year options.
Published November 10, 2025
