Who says you have to be ruthless to be rich? One major fall out of the recession is that people are less tolerable of unethical business tactics and an increasing emphasis has been placed on what the Wall Street Journal calls “socially responsible money-making.”

Social entrepreneurship is based on this premise – for-profit companies giving back to communities, implementing conservational strategies and supporting charities. The idea seems like a novel one; that companies can make money while benefiting their consumers either directly or through communities. The article says: “Often, these companies employ people or source resources from economically depressed areas of the world that then also benefit from the charitable donations from the profits.” The idea has however, caught on, and many students now seek out socially entrepreneur degrees.

Online school Walden University is a forerunner in social entrepreneurship. The school held its fifth annual Social Change Conference on September 30th. The conference discusses the changes needed to meet global needs. The conference featured a lecture from the White House senior advisor for social innovation. The University offers over 36 online degree programs with more than 140 specializations and concentrations. The school recognizes the importance of social entrepreneurship and encourages it in its MBA programs. Walden University offers a prestigious MBA program and more online colleges like Strayer University and Champlain colleges offer distinctive MBA degrees as well as various other degrees.

There are several reasons why these new ventures are appealing to students and businesses. The first is generational; younger students and employers were raised in a more environmentally aware society and also wish to escape the view that MBAs and businesses are greedy by nature. The fear of a lack of traditional jobs has also encouraged recent MBA graduates to seek out new ideas. The recent social emphasis on green careers also contributed to the trend.

Berkeley College is one of the many colleges that are offering and encouraging social entrepreneur based programs. The article explains: “In one social entrepreneurship-focused course, guest speakers would make weekly appearances to discuss their for-profit business models.”

Even if you are just beginning school or want to pursue your MBA, there has never been a better time to enroll! With flexible schedules and affordable tuition there is no excuse not to continue your education. Furthermore with new ventures such as social entrepreneurship expected to create jobs you can make you and your societies’ futures a lot brighter.