Socio-Ecological Economics and Policy – (M.Sc.)

Contents

The program offers training in socioeconomic analysis and focuses on the interfaces between environmental, economic and social challenges. This interdisciplinary and internationally oriented approach is based on three major pillars: theory, methodology, and application. The theory courses include concepts from a variety of disciplines, chosen for their relevance to global challenges. The methodological courses offer an integrated introduction to qualitative and quantitative methods and thus illustrate how they are best combined in empirical analyses. Relevance for policy making and organizational practice is emphasized throughout the program. Developing innovative and novel policy responses to global change demands
approaches that include historic, descriptive, and institutional analyses as well as an understanding of legal frameworks and regulatory constraints. In particular, theories, methods, and analyses are brought together in two concentration areas, chosen by the student from a total of four subject areas:

(i) Environmental Change and Policy, (ii) Population, Human Capital and Policy, (iii) Globalization and Multi-Level Policy, and (iv) Globalization and Social Policy.

During the first year, students study global challenges and socioeconomic theories in detail and learn basic methodology. They become familiar with their two chosen concentration areas. In the second year, students advance quickly to specialized expertise and real-world applications. In this phase, the main courses will be in the concentration areas and students will explore interdependencies between the subjects. Students develop and hone their research skills through course work and writing a thesis. Students have the opportunity to spend one of the four semesters abroad (subject to approval).

Accreditation

The EQUIS accreditation is without a doubt WU’s most important international quality assurance standard. The limited circle of EQUIS accredited business schools includes only 130 universities in 36 countries (as of December 2010). WU is the largest of the EQUIS accredited schools in Europe, and one of only five accredited universities in the German-speaking world.

A clear mission statement and a modern and comprehensive selection of degree programs in line with the Bologna reform process convinced the EFMD (European Foundation for Management Development), the agency that grants EQUIS accreditation, that WU is worthy of this distinction. Quality and practical relevance of teaching, as well as the international orientation of the academic programs, were further criteria. Graduates’ qualifications and research activities were also evaluated, and all of these aspects, together with WU’s continuing education program portfolio, formed the basis for the panel’s positive decision.

EQUIS accreditation and the quality control process preceding it have added to WU’s reputation both in Austria and abroad. To meet the quality regulations, WU is subject to continuous and comprehensive quality assurance procedures. Important criteria for these procedures include:

› The university’s strategic development

› Internationalization

› Connections to the business community

› Quality management

AMBA (Association of MBAs) is one of the world’s leading accreditation agencies, alongside renowned institutions such as EQUIS, AACSB and FIBAA. AMBA’s prestigious quality assurance goes only to MBA and DBA programs that fulfill AMBA’s high standards.

All of WU Executive Academy’s MBA programs are AMBA accredited:

• Executive MBA (Vienna)
• Executive MBA (Bucharest)
• Executive MBA (PGM Vienna)
• Professional MBA

Currently, only 161 business schools in 72 countries (as of October 2010) have received AMBA accreditation. WU is one of only three AMBA accredited universities in the German-speaking world.