In an era where sustainability is no longer optional but essential, the ability to report and disclose environmental and social performance is a powerful skill. That’s exactly what SUST 6450: Sustainability Reporting & Disclosure equips graduate students to master.

The course led by Dr. Charles H. Cho, Professor of Sustainability Accounting and the Erivan K. Haub Chair in Business & Sustainability, offers a deep dive into the evolving world of sustainability data—how it’s collected, analyzed, and communicated to stakeholders.

 

Course Structure: A Three-Module Journey

SUST 6450 is designed to blend theory with hands-on experience across three dynamic modules:

1. Weeks 1–5: Foundations of Reporting

  • Students explore the landscape of mandatory and voluntary sustainability reporting frameworks, including standards like GRI, SASB, and TCFD.
  • Emphasis is placed on understanding the regulatory environment and the strategic implications of disclosure.

2. Weeks 6–10: Materiality in Action

  • Students conduct a double materiality assessment with a real organization.
  • This experiential learning phase challenges students to identify what matters most to the company and to its stakeholders and make concrete action and reporting recommendations.

3. Weeks 11–12: Peer Learning & Reflection

  • The final weeks focus on contrasting peer experiences, fostering critical thinking and collaborative learning.
  • Students share insights, challenges, and strategies from their materiality assessments.

 

Learning Outcomes: What You’ll Walk Away With

By the end of the course, students will be able to:

  • Understand and apply technical knowledge and skills related to sustainability standards and rating systems.
  • Collect and analyze reliable sustainability data for benchmarking and performance evaluation.
  • Conduct a double materiality assessment, integrating both financial and societal perspectives.
  • Recognize how metrics and methodologies vary across industries, jurisdictions, and organizational growth stages.
  • Collaborate effectively in teams and produce clear, impactful reports and presentations.

 About the Instructor

Dr. Charles H. Cho brings unparalleled expertise to the classroom. With a research focus on Sustainability, CSR, and Accounting for the Public Interest, and as a member of the GRI’s Global Sustainability Standards Board, Dr. Cho ensures that students are learning from one of the field’s leading voices.

 

📝Prerequisites

Enrollment in SUST 6450 requires successful completion of SUST 5200, or special approval from the instructor. This ensures that students are prepared to engage with the course’s advanced content and experiential components.

 

 Hear from Students

Want to hear directly from students and learn more about the course experience? Check out the SUST 6450 YouTube video featuring testimonials and insights into what makes this course a transformative part of the sustainability curriculum.

Whether you’re aiming for a career in sustainability consulting, corporate responsibility, or ESG analytics, SUST 6450 offers the tools and insights to make a meaningful impact. Ready to lead the change? This course is your next step.