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The subject guide has been updated with the changes mentioned here
One of the best known definitions of sustainable development is the one formulated by the Brundtland Commission (Report of the World Commission on Environment and Development) in 1987, which states that: "It is development that meets the needs of people today without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs". Over the last few years, the concept of sustainability has been gaining more and more importance and support among the majority of today's society, which is now, more than ever, convinced of the need to change our way of acting in favor of a fairer and more caring world. The UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is a challenge to transform the world and recognizes the existence of poverty, in all its forms, as the greatest challenge facing humanity.
The business world, civil organizations and public authorities are committed to achieving sustainable development in their spheres of action. Sustainability being the goal to be achieved by all, the most effective and important instrument for this is the socially responsible and ethical behavior of any organization, institution and individual. In this way, the transversal integration of the economic, social, environmental, labor and human rights dimensions in the policies and management systems of companies and other public and private organizations, in a global context, becomes the main lever to achieve the change in the current model of society that we desire.
Over the years we have seen how CSR has evolved from a voluntarist approach, in which companies use it to improve their reputation and competitiveness, to a much more regulatory approach with the intervention of the public authorities. The field where this is most evident is that of corporate transparency. In Europe, as a result of Directive 2022/2464 of December 14 amending the 2014 directive as regards sustainability reporting, companies are required to include in their management report information on environmental and social policies, risks and performance, as well as information relating to their employees, respect for human rights, the fight against corruption and bribery, and diversity in the composition of the board of directors. This will affect companies with more than 250 employees and listed SMEs and the information will be verified by an independent assurance service provider.
In addition, there is a growing financial regulation stemming from the European Commission's sustainable finance plan (EC, 2018) that aims to improve the assessment of climate and social risks and will oblige European financial institutions to analyze their investment and credit portfolios according to these risks, which will undoubtedly put pressure on non-financial companies to increase the quality of their performance information and accelerate the interest of companies and their boards of directors in sustainability and the company's impacts on society.
Multinational companies are already integrating governance, social and environmental considerations and have qualified professionals and departments to design and develop their strategies. But SMEs are also becoming increasingly aware that value generation and long-term sustainability involve managing ESG aspects that have an impact on financial results and will be increasingly demanded by their customers (companies or end consumers), financiers and regulators. Likewise, interest in this subject is growing among non-governmental and public organizations, which see how the Welfare State and social development require greater commitment and better behavior from the private sector and exercise greater social control together with other representatives of civil society and the public promotion of CSR and sustainable development.
The academic world is also aware that it cannot and should not be left out of this process of promoting CSR, and therefore sustainability. In the European Commission's 2006 Communication Implementing the partnership for growth and jobs: making Europe a pole of excellence on corporate social responsibility on CSR, the Commission highlights the need to promote multidisciplinary research into CSR and the relationship between CSR, competitiveness and sustainable development.
The interuniversity master's degree in Sustainability and CSR of the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration of the UNED is an official interuniversity master's degree that is taught jointly by the UNED and the Universitat Jaume I (UJI). Its faculty is mainly from both universities, although it also has academic experts and professionals from other institutions. It has 17 years of experience and almost 800 graduates. It responds to the purposes of both universities (UNED and UJI) to play a relevant role in the development of a knowledge-based society, the promotion of progress and the improvement of the quality of life in general, as it broadens and deepens the knowledge that its students will have in social, economic, environmental, ethical, human rights and sustainable development issues, which are the fundamental basis for achieving these objectives.
It is structured under the European credit system (ECTS) and offers students the possibility of designing their own curricular itinerary, choosing among the modules offered those that best correspond to their academic and professional concerns and expectations. Likewise, the evaluation systems, together with the profile and extensive teaching and research experience of the teaching staff, will be a guarantee for the quality of the Master's Degree.
To pass the 60 credits of the master's degree, students must pass the two compulsory core subjects (Introduction to Sustainability and CSR (5 ECTS) and Dimensions of CSR (15 ECTS); and another two optional subjects of 15 ECTS each, to be chosen from a range of six subjects, including Sustainable Finance. To this must be added the Master's thesis, which is equivalent to 10 ECTS. In addition, for students who do not have a degree in economics, business, tourism, or similar subjects, or who do not have knowledge of accounting, finance, taxation, economics or business administration, it is mandatory to take the additional 15 ECTS of the complementary training course. The master's degree passed its second renewal of accreditation by ANECA on January 26, 2019.
This postgraduate program is adapted to the requirements of higher education within the framework of the Bologna Process, under the vision of a common and harmonized European Higher Education Area at European level. From this perspective, the Master seeks to promote and encourage quality in teaching, autonomous learning and lifelong learning, the employability of graduates, as well as the flexibility of studies. Likewise, the virtual mode of delivery of the Master aims to facilitate access to this Master to the largest number of students residing both in Spain and abroad, clearly betting on the international dimension of European education.
The educational model of the UNED is an educational model based on modern learning theories that consider that the direct teacher-student relationship is not essential, since it is possible to learn individually certain scientific content, provided that appropriate materials and technological resources are used and mechanisms of interaction between teacher and students that allow the control of the course and, ultimately, the evaluation of knowledge.
The professor will promote in the student a growing autonomy in the acquisition of new knowledge and the development of reflection capacities, as well as the use of specialized instruments and languages, the use of documentation and mastery of the scientific and professional field of each of the specialties. In short, it will try to advise and motivate the student so that he/she can acquire contents, master study techniques and acquire the critical capacity that working life will require in the future.
Main characteristics of distance learning
- Teacher-student separation: Fundamentally deferred in space and time.
- Use of technical means: Printed and multimedia material
- Tutorial support organization: Individual learning, but with institutional support. Face-to-face meetings in the form of group tutorials.
- Independent and flexible learning: Empowers the student to learn how to learn, building autonomy in terms of time, style, pace, and method of learning.
- Two-way communication: The student can intervene by proposing various questions to the teachers to clarify foreseeable doubts or expand their knowledge, as well as make suggestions regarding the design of the course, the structure of the materials or the development of the learning process itself.
Academic Coordination (UNED):
Cristina Ruza Paz-Curbera cruza@cee.uned.es
Academic Coordination (UJI):
Idoya Ferrero Ferrero ferrero@uji.es
Academic Secretary (UNED):
Mª Ángeles Rodríguez Santos mrodriguez@cee.uned.es
Administrative Secretary
Telephone: 91 398 6323 / 9439
cee.posgradosoficiales@adm.uned.es
Besides, in the Master participate teaching collaborators from different universities:
Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia
Universidad Jaume I de Castellón
Universidad de Zaragoza
Universidad de Burgos
Universidad de Alcalá
The general objective of the Master in Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility is to analyze and deepen the concept and multiple dimensions of Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), with emphasis on knowing in detail the existing management and evaluation tools, policies and strategies, comprehensive and transversal, existing for organizations that implement environmental, social and governance (ESG) aspects in their strategic and operational management, as well as the mechanisms of dialogue and interaction with the main stakeholders or interest groups.
The Master is oriented to the acquisition of competencies through the autonomous activity of the student, who must work reflectively and critically, individually and in groups.
The general objectives of the Master are:
- To deepen the concept of sustainability and CSR.
- To provide detailed knowledge of the instruments for the management and implementation of sustainability and CSR.
- To train professionals capable of applying sustainability criteria in an ethical and responsible manner in all types of organizations.
- To provide solid knowledge that will allow access to research tasks.
The student will develop the following competences:
A) BASIC
- To possess and understand knowledge that provides a basis or opportunity to be original in the development and/or application of ideas, often in a research context.
- That students know how to apply acquired knowledge and problem-solving skills in new or unfamiliar environments within broader (or multidisciplinary) contexts related to their area of study.
- That students are able to integrate knowledge and face the complexity of making judgments based on information that, being incomplete or limited, includes reflections on the social and ethical responsibilities linked to the application of their knowledge and judgments.
- That students know how to communicate their conclusions and the ultimate knowledge and reasons that support them to specialized and non-specialized audiences in a clear and unambiguous manner.
- That students possess learning skills that will enable them to continue studying in a way that will be largely self-directed or autonomous.
- Identify the different stakeholders of the organizations.
B) GENERAL
- To provide knowledge that will serve as a basis for the development and application in practice of strategies, policies, management systems and tools related to sustainability and corporate social responsibility.
- To develop the ability to analyze and reflect critically, as well as to evaluate and propose solutions, about possible ethical, economic and social dilemmas.
- To solve problems in new and dynamic environments, as well as in multidisciplinary contexts related to aspects of CSR and sustainable development.
- To develop students' ability to deal with complex issues and scenarios, as well as to integrate knowledge and have a cross-cutting vision of the different dimensions encompassed in the concept of CSR and sustainability.
- To develop and refine learning skills that will enable students to continue learning throughout their lives in an autonomous manner.
- To develop students' ability to communicate clearly and unambiguously with both expert and non-expert audiences.
C) SPECIFIC
- To understand and reflect on the role of Corporate Social Responsibility within the socio-economic and business landscape, in a national and global context.
- Analyze and reflect on the main economic aspects of a company or other organization, public or private, integrating ethical, social, environmental and sustainability criteria in their analysis.
- Understand, identify and anticipate possible risks and points of friction between the economic-financial dimension and social, environmental and sustainability considerations within organizations; propose alternatives as possible solutions to the problem and make decisions autonomously within a context of uncertainty.
- Design and develop CSR policies and management systems in accordance with the business model and characteristics of each company or organization.
- Implement CSR policies in all areas and business units, in a cross-cutting manner, integrating the economic, social and environmental dimensions within the corporate management system, as well as evaluating the results of ethical and sustainable practices.
- Be able to clearly communicate their knowledge and actions in Sustainability and CSR to specialized and non-specialized audiences, using different formats and communication tools.
- Carry out projects and research tasks in the field of CSR and Sustainability.
The Master's Degree aims to train professionals capable of applying in practice the approach of ethics, sustainability and social and environmental responsibility in existing business and company models, as well as in other public and private organizations, such as non-profit entities or public administration bodies.
In this link (especially in the second part) you can listen to some alumni who tell us how the Master's program influenced their professional careers.
The purpose of the Master's Degree in Sustainability and CSR is to provide the tools and knowledge necessary to:
1. implement sustainability and CSR management systems in their organizations in a cross-cutting manner, integrating within the corporate management system the economic dimension with the social and environmental ones.
2. Provide the necessary training to those responsible for CSR and sustainability in other organizations.
3. Design and develop CSR and sustainability management policies and systems in accordance with the business and characteristics of each organization.
4. To perform advisory and consulting tasks in the area of CSR and sustainability.
5. To develop research work in the area of sustainability and CSR.
6. Access to doctoral programs and the completion of a doctoral thesis.
Although the master's degree provides access to the doctoral program, its design, orientation and profile is fundamentally professional. The vast majority of its students work and in many cases have responsibilities on issues related to the subjects of the master's degree and on which they need to deepen their knowledge. In most cases, they choose to do the master's degree in 2 years in order to be able to combine it with their work.
Students who do not have a degree/diploma in Business Administration and Management, Business Administration and/or Economics, or who cannot justify solid knowledge in these subjects, must take the Complementary Training Module. Please remind that the two compulsory modules should be done in the first course of the Master.
Knowledge of English is required to be able to understand a scientific or professional text, since part of the bibliography may be offered in that language.
Pre-registration and admission deadlines for new students will be from the end of May until the beginning of July. For second-year students, pre-enrollment will open in September and is compulsory.
At the time of pre-enrollment, students must send, along with the documents indicated, a letter of motivation about their interest in pursuing this Master's, arguing about the reasons that lead them to this choice.
Students with foreign degrees, without homologation or declared equivalent, who wish to access the official university teachings of Master and/or Doctorate in the UNED, regardless of the educational system to which their degree belongs, must carry out the following procedures:
1º) Request to the Rector of the UNED, between mid-March and mid-May, the verification of the level of training of their foreign degree for the authorization of access to official Master's and/or Doctorate studies.
2º) Even if you are pending to obtain the Authorization, it is necessary to make the pre-enrollment, or admission application, which will be carried out exclusively by the Internet within the deadlines established for this purpose. In any case, carry out this procedure even if you have not received a reply in the previous one.
3º) Once admitted to the Master's and/or Doctoral program, students must register online within the deadlines established for this purpose.
Enrollment for new students will open in July, and for old students in September. In both cases pre-enrollment is compulsory. Enrollment will close at the end of October.
More information at:
https://portal.uned.es/portal/page?_pageid=93,49625325,93_49627317&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL
See information on public prices for the previous academic year at:
https://portal.uned.es/portal/page?_pageid=93,41108655,93_41110655&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL
Admission systems and merit evaluation criteria:
Once the pre-enrollment is done (link), the Validation Commission that will evaluate the dossiers is formed by:
Presidents: Cristina Ruza Paz-Curbera (Coordinator of the Master) and Idoya Ferrero Ferrero (Coordinator of the Master UJI)
Secretary: Mª Ángeles Rodríguez Santos (Master's Secretary)
Member: María Isabel García Izquierdo (representative of the Postgraduate Department).
This Committee will evaluate the academic record, training and previous experience in sustainability and CSR. If deemed necessary, it may request an interview with the interested party. The committee will resolve the applications of new students before the end of July.
For students coming with foreign degrees there are specific admission requirements.
ATTENTION: THERE IS NO DEADLINE FOR MODIFICATION OR CANCELLATION OF ENROLLMENT, SO ONCE THE ENROLLMENT HAS BEEN VALIDATED BY THE STUDENT, NO CHANGES OR CANCELLATIONS
This Master's Degree has a limit of 100 new students admitted.
Due to excess demand, pre-enrollment will be closed when double the number of places offered has been received. In this case, the closing of the pre-enrollment period established by the University for this type of studies would be brought forward.
The UNED has a Center for Attention to University Students with Disabilities.
The approach of the Master is both theoretical and practical, as it includes numerous examples, solved activities and cases that will help the student to understand and assimilate the theoretical concepts and to develop the necessary competencies, skills and attitudes.
It is structured by modules in such a way that within each module the different subjects that are related to each other are included:
FIRST SEMESTER
Complementary training 15 ECTS (Compulsory in some cases)
Introduction to Sustainability and CSR 5 ECTS (Compulsory)
Relations with society 15 ECTS (Elective)
Information and communication 15 ECTS (Elective)
Environment 15 ECTS (Elective)
ANUAL
Dimensions of CSR 15 ECTS (Compulsory)
SECOND SEMESTER
Sustainable finance 15 ECTS (Elective)
CSR management 15 ECTS (Elective)
Human rights and sustainable people management 15 ECTS (Elective)
Final Master's thesis (FMT) 10 ECTS (Compulsory)
In order to obtain the 60 credits required to obtain the Master's Degree in Sustainability and CSR, it is necessary to take the three compulsory subjects (Introduction to Sustainability and CSR, 5ECTS; Dimensions of CSR, 15 ECTS and FMT, 10 ECTS, and two of the elective subjects offered, 15 ECTS).
A) The teaching of the first semester will take place approximately between the end of October and the mid of February. In the first academic year in which the students register for the Master's Degree they will have to register for the following modules:
A.1. Introduction to Sustainability and CSR is compulsory for all students of the Master's Degree in the first semester of the first academic year in which they enroll.
A.2. Dimensions of CSR is an annual course and is also compulsory for all students of the Master's Degree in the first academic year in which they enroll.
A.3. Complementary Training is offered as a formative complement, and is mandatory ONLY for students who do not come from Business or Economics, or cannot accredit this knowledge. In the event of having to take it, the number of credits required to obtain the Master's degree is 75 ECTS.
B) The teaching of the second semester will take place approximately between mid-February and mid-June.
Given its special characteristics, the Final Master's thesis (FMT) begins with the selection of the topic in November. The student will have to access to FMT online course and follow the instructions of the coordinator of the assignment from that date. The defense of the FMT will be public and the Evaluation Commission will be responsible for the evaluation. It is necessary to have passed, at least, 50 credits (equivalent to Introduction to Sustainability, Dimensions of CSR and two electives).
Recommendation:
In the event that do you have to take the Complementary Training, it is advisable to complete the Master's Degree in two academic years.
De acuerdo con la legislación vigente, todas las Universidades han de someter sus títulos oficiales a un proceso de verificación, seguimiento y acreditación.
En el caso de la UNED, el Consejo de Universidades recibe la memoria del título y la remite a la ANECA para su evaluación y emisión del Informe de verificación. Si el informe es favorable, el Consejo de Universidades dicta la Resolución de verificación, y el Ministerio de Educación eleva al Gobierno la propuesta de carácter oficial del título, ordena su inclusión en el Registro de Universidades, Centros y Títulos y su posterior publicación en el Boletín Oficial del Estado.
Los títulos oficiales de máster han de renovar su acreditación antes de los seis años, desde la fecha de inicio de impartición del título o de renovación de la acreditación anterior, con el objetivo de comprobar si los resultados obtenidos son adecuados para garantizar la continuidad de su impartición. Si son adecuados, el Consejo de Universidades emite una Resolución de la acreditación del título.
Estas resoluciones e informes quedan recogidos en el Registro de Universidades, Centros y Títulos (RUCT).
VERIFICACIÓN / MODIFICACIÓN
SEGUIMIENTO
ACREDITACIÓN
No existen prácticas curriculares asociadas a este posgrado.
No obstante, se reciben con cierta asiduidad solicitudes para hacer prácticas en empresas u otro tipo de organizaciones, que trasladamos a la Oficina de prácticas de la UNED que se encarga de gestionar los convenios de colaboración con las empresas.
La UNED dispone de un Sistema de Garantía Interna de Calidad (SGIC-U) que alcanza a todos sus títulos oficiales de grado, máster y doctorado, así como a los servicios que ofrece, cuyo diseño fue certificado por la ANECA.
El SGIC-U contempla todos los procesos necesarios para asegurar la calidad de su profesorado, de los recursos y de los servicios destinados a los estudiantes: el acceso, la admisión y la acogida, las prácticas externas, los programas de movilidad, la orientación académica e inserción laboral, el seguimiento y evaluación de los resultados de la formación, la atención de las sugerencias y reclamaciones y la adecuación del personal de apoyo, entre otros.
Los responsables del SGIC son:
- La Comisión Coordinadora del Título
- La Comisión de Garantía de Calidad del Centro
- El Equipo Decanal o de Dirección
- La Comisión de Garantía de Calidad de la UNED
A través del Portal estadístico, la UNED aporta información a toda la comunidad universitaria, tanto de los resultados de la formación como de los resultados de satisfacción de los distintos colectivos implicados.
Documentos del SGIC del título:
Comisión de Coordinación del Título
Presidente: Dra Dª Inmaculada Pra Martos. Decana de la Facultad de CC. Económicas y Empresariales
Secretaria: Dra Dª Mª Ángeles Rodríguez Santos. Secretaria del Máster
Vocales:
Dra. Dª Cristina Ruza Paz-Curbera. Coordinadora del Máster
Dra. Dª Marta de la Cuesta González (representante del PDI)
Dra. Dª Victoria Fernández de Tejada (representante del PDI)
Dr. D. Rodrigo Martín García (representante del PDI)
Dª María Isabel García Izquierdo (representante del PAS)
Representante de estudiantes
Subcomisión de Validación:
Presidenta: Dra Dª Cristina Ruza Paz-Curbera (coordinadora del Máster UNED) e Idoya Ferrero Ferrero (coordinadora del Máster UJI)
Secretaria: Dra Dª Mª Ángeles Rodríguez Santos (secretaria del Máster)
Vocal: María Isabel García Izquierdo (representante del PAS)
La función de esta subcomisión es la de valorar los expedientes de los solicitantes al Máster en base a los criterios establecidos y validar a los estudiantes finalmente admitidos.
El Máster cuenta además con la Comisión Académica interuniversitaria formada por:
Presidenta: Dra Dª Cristina Ruza Paz-Curbera (UNED)
Secretaria: Dra Dª Mª Ángeles Rodríguez Santos (UNED)
Vocales:
Dra. Dª Marta de la Cuesta González (UNED)
Dra Dª Victoria Fernández de Tejada Muñoz (UNED)
Dra. Dª Idoya Ferrero Ferrero (UJI)
Dra. Dª María Jesús Muñoz Torres (UJI)
Dra. Dª Juana María Rivera Lirio (UJI)
Este Máster no da acceso a profesiones reguladas.
The Master is taught with methodology of distance learning, through didactic tools of virtual teaching. For this purpose, the virtual platform of UNED will be used. In this way, a virtual classroom will be created for the purpose of continuous evaluation of students, where they will have access to teaching materials, virtual libraries and forums, and thorugh which they will send their activities and communicate with teachers. The methodology of distance learning is a form of interactive and flexible learning that adapts to the availability of each student, allowing to combine studies with work or any other activity, always within the organization arranged by the Academic Commission of the Master.
The evaluation of modules is mixed, face-to-face and online:
Presential Evaluation. 50% of the grade of each module will be evaluated through a PRESENTIAL EXAM in any of the associated centers of the UNED, where these exams are held.
There will be two calls for each module, february and june (ordinary period) and an extraordinary one in September.
On-line evaluation. The 50% of the grade will be continuous evaluation on line. The student will have to hand in the assignments or activities through the platform according to the calendar proposed by the teachers of the module.
Exceptions:
Dimensions of CSR. Its evaluation will be 70% exam and 30% continuous evaluation.
Introduction to Sustainability and CSR. Its evaluation will be only and exclusively online. In case of not passing it (less than 5 points on average), students will have another extraordinary opportunity in May.
Master's Thesis. Once the topic of the work has been chosen in the first semester, a tutor will be assigned to each student. There will be a call in June and another in September.
The Master's Degree can be taken on a full-time or part-time basis. Given the dedication required for this type of studies, students should evaluate their personal and work situation, so if they are working, we recommend to complete it in two years.
Full-time students:
- Must enroll for 60 credits in one year, which makes a total of 1,050 hours of work for the student.
Part-time students:
- If the student does not have to take the mandatory Complementary Training Module, he/she must enroll in the first year in: Dimensions of CSR and Introduction to Sustainability and CSR. A total of 20 credits in the first year.
- If the student has to take the compulsory Complementary Training Module, he/she will have to take 15 additional ECTS, which makes in total 35 credits in the first year.
If you choose this option, you will not be able to register for the FMT until you meet the minimum of credits required.
In any case, you will have to abide by the rules of permanence established by the university for this type of studies.
