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Presidio Graduate School

Presidio Graduate School

Presidio Graduate School

Introduction

Sustainable Solutions

Are you looking to develop expertise relevant to the future of sustainability in business and public policy? Presidio Graduate School was the first graduate program to fully integrate sustainability into every course. Students here work collaboratively to equip themselves with the skills and experience to transform businesses, government, and not-for-profit organizations. They learn how to value non-financial assets like equity, social justice, vibrant communities, and a healthy environment. And they work within a systems thinking mindset that enables them to integrate social, environmental, and economic progress to create a more sustainable world. Graduates emerge prepared and eager to take on the toughest challenges facing society.

Our systems approach involves renewing professional disciplines by using tools to consider all the inputs and outputs of all stakeholders of a given situation. Not just the financials, but also the hard-to-quantify forces of workplace culture, societal costs and benefits, community well-being, supplier issues, and environmental stewardship.

The hallmark of the Presidian experience is sustainability. We look at all solutions through the lens of sustainable outcomes. At PGS, sustainability is not covered in an elective course or research paper. Sustainability for a flourishing future is at the core of everything we do to meet the new definitions of what success really means.

The PGS network is powerful. Since 2002, our graduates have made their mark on sustainable business management and public policy. Some made their way to the White House and Wall Street. Others are making a positive impact on everything from family farms to high tech startups.

The Presidian Advantage

PGS is an education pioneer, having offered the first graduate degrees focused on sustainability. With a track record of training business leaders for the challenges of tomorrow PGS remains the only school of its kind offering:

  • The sustainable MBA program described by The New York Times as the school to go to “if you want to change the world.”
  • The only Sustainable MPA in the country.
  • The only fully-integrated, Dual-Degree MBA/MPA program—for careers that need to bridge commerce and government.

It’s a fun place to do serious work. Although we take on some of the hardest challenges of our time, we do so among like-minded colleagues, partners, and friends. Creativity, collaboration, and community combine to achieve exceptional real-world results.

Our Values

As individuals and as an institution we commit to the following values in support of our mission:

  • Community

Presidians embrace our diverse, individual experiences and respect our common striving for understanding and knowledge.

  • Innovation

Presidians redefine the standards of performance by nourishing unconventional views and challenging current models of doing and thinking.

  • Integrity

Presidians act honestly, ethically, and courageously in all our personal and professional undertakings and in our relationships with students, alumni, and the broader community. We hold ourselves accountable for our words and our actions.

  • Social Justice

Presidians champion diversity, equity, and inclusion in our work and help people of all races, genders, cultures, and socioeconomic status equally participate in society with opportunities to thrive.

  • Environmental Sustainability

Presidians act in stewardship for the restoration of ecological systems. This means actions must enhance the ability of future generations to flourish.

The Presidian Way

How We Teach

Presidio Graduate School’s pioneering approach integrates management and leadership fundamentals with systems thinking.

Transforming ideas into actionable, sustainable solutions requires courage to lead people through change. Presidio Graduate School instills confidence, by equipping students with the technical knowledge and leadership skills they need to transform business and society. Concepts from the classroom are practiced in the real world as students learn by doing in Experiential Learning projects

Sustainable Solutions

Sustainable solutions create impact through innovation at the intersection of environmental, economic, and social systems. It is a comprehensive approach to management that builds value for businesses, individuals, and communities – while reducing future risk. We view sustainable solutions as critical to dramatically improving the execution of strategy, financial performance, and stakeholder value.

The financial consequences of decisions are important, but not the entire equation. Sustainable solutions seek to benefit all stakeholders – creating equitable prosperity for individuals, organizations, and communities. Teaching through a sustainability lens means accomplishing these goals and meeting these objectives in a manner that minimizes the potential for unintended consequences that lead to collateral damage — while optimizing economic, environmental, and social benefits.

Today’s Top Challenges are Complex

A major impact in one area always has consequences in other areas. Our systems-thinking approach views business, government, society, justice, and environment as an integrated whole. PGS students learn to design solutions that account for human, economic, and environmental concerns to create a holistically optimal and sustainable outcome and prosperity for all.

PGS embeds sustainability into every course. Through our leading Experiential Learning program, students apply sustainability and social responsibility frameworks and methods to real cases in large and small companies, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations.

At Presidio Graduate School, you learn to find opportunities for innovation and impact at the intersection of environmental, economic, and social systems. Our comprehensive leadership and management framework enables the design of more sustainable, healthy, and affordable products and services by applying the power of business and public policy to address global issues and attain the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Campus Features

Presidio Graduate School is a vibrant and growing learning community that challenges and engages students with leadership and career development opportunities. As a community committed to diversity and inclusion, we provide accommodation to those students that need support accessing the full student life experience.

Student Leadership Opportunities

Student clubs and organized events are an extension of the students’ learning experience and expression of their diverse professional interests and personal passions. Club-organized events, trips, and projects are planned throughout the semester and provide students with an opportunity to dive deeper into areas of career interest. Club members benefit from expanding their professional networks, gaining unique professional experience, and working collaboratively with other students. Student Representatives

Students elect members of the Student Representative Council. This group is the voice of the student body, representing the perspectives and advocating on behalf of students with the school administration.

Net Impact, Presidio Graduate School Chapter

Net Impact is a professional organization dedicated to growing and strengthening a network of new leaders who are using the power of business to make a positive social, environmental, and economic impact. All students enrolled at PGS are members of Net Impact.

The Presidio Net Impact Chapter has achieved Gold Chapter Status. Gold status means that the chapter has exceeded minimum requirements to help enhance business skills, develop career paths, and build a community of support to change our approach to social and environmental issues.

Social Capital Club

The Presidio Social Capital Club promotes and coordinates events throughout the semester and provides numerous opportunities for networking across the student body and within the local community. Students determine the specific program areas; past examples include sustainable fashion, impact investing, sustainable food systems, green building, and cleantech.

Career Services

Overview

Support for career development integrates into the overall learning experience. Students are challenged in the classroom to build their self-awareness in parallel with their sustainability leadership acumen.

Our Career Services Office supports students and alumni to help identify and pursue fulfilling, mission-driven careers that are consistent with their values and priorities. A range of programs develops robust lifetime job search and career development skills.

Career Coaching Programs

  • Individual career coaching

  • Resume review, cover letter preparation, and mock interview practice

  • Internship and job search postings

  • Workshops, presentations, and information sessions on networking, job offer negotiations, and workforce trends

  • Networking opportunities with alumni and employers

  • Connections to professional associations and industry conferences

For an example of the career coaching programming at PGS, view a recent webinar, Careers in Corporate Sustainability.

Expert in Residence Program

Experts in Residence (EIR) provide students mentorship in a variety of disciplines and industries. Sustainability leaders from among the world’s leading organizations spend a semester in-residence at PGS. EIRs for the current academic year are Cecily Joseph, former Vice President of Corporate Responsibility at Symantec Corporation and Bill Weihl, former Sustainability Chief at Google and FacebookNetworking Opportunities

Central to our mission is providing opportunities for networking among students, faculty, staff, board members, and our organizational partners. PGS facilitates networking through community events, showcases, conferences, and introductions to professionals and organizations relevant to individual student career development goals.

Job and Internship Information

Students and alumni have access to the PGS Green Jobs Board, a customized list of job and internship opportunities across all sectors and industries from around the world.

Accessibility Services

Overview

Presidio Graduate School is committed to a diverse and inclusive student body. Students with disabilities receive reasonable accommodations and services to assist them in accessing the curriculum and school environment. Students with either permanent or temporary disabilities may be eligible for a variety of support services in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Rehabilitation Act, Section 504. Please review our accessibility services for more detailed information.

    Admissions

    Here is an overview of our application process for admissions to Presidio Graduate School.

    Step 1: Access the application

    Create an account or log into your application portal.

    Step 2: Apply

    Complete your application (see helpful tips and guidance below). The application for admissions contains these sections:

    1. Your profile information and demographics

    1. Your academic background

    1. Your resume

    1. Your personal essay

    1. Two letters of recommendation (optional)

    1. GRE/GMAT (optional)

    The information you provide on the application form and uploaded documents will be saved automatically. You may return to the application form at any time by logging into your application portal.

    Step 3: Make a payment

    Pay your application fee and submit your completed application.

    A non-refundable $90 application fee is required for applying to all programs. This fee can be paid via credit card directly through the secure application portal prior to submitting your completed application.

    Once you have completed your online application, paid your application fee, and submitted it, you will be contacted to set up a final admissions interview.

    Step 4: Schedule an interview

    You will be invited to schedule a time for your virtual 30-minute interview with the Admissions team after you submit your application.

    Application Deadlines

    Please click below to view application deadlines by program.

    MBA/Dual Degree/Certificate Programs Spring Term Deadlines (classes start mid-January) 

    MilestonesRound 1Round 2Final
    Application DeadlineAugust 15October 15December 1
    Decision BySeptember 10November 10December 20

    Summer Term Deadlines (classes start mid-April) (Part-time only) 

    MilestonesRound 1Round 2Final
    Application DeadlineJanuary 15March 15April 19
    Decision ByFebruary 10April 10May 1

    Fall Term Deadlines (classes start mid-August)

    MilestonesRound 1Round 2Final
    Application DeadlineMay 1June 15July 20
    Decision ByMay 30July 20August 9

    Scholarships and Funding

    Alumni Statistics

    Locations

    • San Francisco

      Mission Street,649, 94105, San Francisco

      Questions