URI Launches Green Business Program

The University of Rhode Island now offers one of the nation’s first undergraduate programs focused on green business: the green business double major.

This program combines majors in general business and environmental economics and can be completed in four years.

“The double major in green business gives students a competitive edge for many professional careers in the new green economy,” said Emi Uchida, an assistant professor of environmental and natural resource economics. “The private sector needs professionals who have creative ideas and the tools to formulate corporate strategies that help businesses be both economically viable and environmentally sustainable.”

URI began registering students for the green business double major last fall. Since its debut, about a dozen students have declared the double major, including freshman Marissa Pereira of Cumberland.

She came to URI with a business major in mind, but wanted something more. She was inspired by her high school environmental science class to learn more about the environmental economics major.

The green business double major allows Pereira to pursue both of her interests, and she still expects to graduate in four years.

“I am really passionate about our environment and the problems that have been occurring. With this double major I can help in every way possible,” she said.

The Green Business double major is a collaboration between URI’s College of Business and College of the Environment and Life Sciences, which houses the Department of Environmental and Natural Resource Economics. Both colleges anticipate the green business double major to be a popular option among students.

For more information about the green business double major, click here or contact Emi Uchida, undergraduate program director, Department of Environmental and Natural Resource Economics, (401) 874-4586, emi@uri.edu, or Deborah Rosen, associate dean of the College of Business Administration, (401) 874-4393, drosen@uri.edu.

Release courtesy the URI Department of Communications and Marketing.