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Sustainability Noncredit Certificate

Stand Up for
Sustainability

Being purpose-driven is a competitive advantage.

Today's companies are finding it necessary to integrate sustainability into their business strategies. Doing well and doing good are inextricably linked, and this certificate program will empower you to stand up for sustainability. You will learn how to work within your organizations to develop business strategies and practices vital to long-term success.

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Dates

November 13, 2023-May 24, 2024

Format

Scheduled Online Study (Canvas)

Investment

4 Courses, $299 each
$100 Savings When You Register for All 4

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Take the Next Step

Upon successful completion of all four courses, you will receive an exclusive UW-Green Bay credential, a digital badge validating your accomplishment and signaling to employers your mastery of the curriculum. The digital badge can be featured on LinkedIn, your resume, email signature and website.
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What is Sustainability?

Sustainability in business refers to the effect companies have on the environment or society.

A sustainable business strategy aims to impact environment, society or both by helping to address some of the world's most pressing problems, including climate change and the depletion of our natural resources.

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Driving Social & Environmental Change

This certificate will benefit you if you seek to enact change within an organization or business, shepherding sustainability initiatives to drive social and environmental change while contributing to the overall success of an organization.

  • Human resource professionals looking to implement sustainability efforts in an organization’s culture.
  • Product or project managers managing procedures and/or new product development, looking for ways to increase sustainability in current and future processes.
  • Marketing, communications or media specialists looking for ways to promote sustainability within your organization to your customers and internal/external partners.
  • Engineers solving problems to achieve more efficient and sustainable processes within your organization.
  • Accounting and financial professionals looking for ways to incorporate sustainability while being conscious of the financial impact.

Flexible Courses

This certificate program is offered annually and will encompass the many facets of sustainability. Two courses are offered in the fall semester, and two courses are offered in the spring semester. Each course is six weeks. You may sign up for all four courses of the certificate program, or you may sign up for one or more courses that may address knowledge gaps.

Environmental Sustainability

Environmental Focus

Online Study: November 13-December 29 (extra week for holidays)
Exploring topics of ecosystem services, climate change, sustainable energy, environmental justice, sustainable agriculture and water systems and sustainable development over the course of six weeks.

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Organizational Behavior & Sustainability

Business Focus

Online Study: January 8-February 16
Investigating the impact of individuals, groups and structures on behavior within organizations and the application of sustainability principles toward improving an organization’s effectiveness. Topics include job satisfaction, leadership, motivation, group dynamics, social power and authority in groups, and the social and ethical context of decision-making processes.

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Economics in Society & Sustainability

Public Policy Focus

Online Study: February 26-April 5
Examining what economic sustainability looks like at both social and business scale. Topics include the relationship between business and the environment, trade-offs occurring between business operations and environmental protection and types of sustainable actions businesses can implement which result in both increased sustainability and increased profitability.

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Environmental Sustainability & Business

Action Course

Online Study: April 15-May 24
Incorporating concepts learned in previous courses by putting together an action plan to address a sustainability idea in a business, nonprofit or governmental setting, either within an individual's existing organization or another, determining costs and benefits, addressing the barriers to success and identifying necessary parties for support, along with benchmarking payback metrics for the organization.

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If you sign-up for all four courses, you can save $100!

Instructors

portrait of John Arendt
John Arendt

Director, Environmental Management & Business Institute (EMBI), UW‑Green Bay
(920) 465-2953
arendtjo@uwgb.edu

Portrait of Tara Reed
Tara Reed
Associate Professor, Department of Natural & Applied Sciences, UW‑Green Bay
(920) 465-2995
reedt@uwgb.edu
Portrait of Matthew Winden
Matthew Winden

Associate Professor of Economics and Assistant Director of the Fiscal & Economic Research Center (FERC), UW‑Whitewater

 
rocks showing at bottom of clear lake water

Sustainability is in Our DNA

Second only to education, the UW-Green Bay community recognizes its core commitment to sustainable practices. That means educationally, recreationally, even nutritionally. We aim to add a little green to everything we do, honoring our Eco U® heritage.

Going Beyond Green

UW-Green Bay staff Melissa

Need Guidance?

If you have any questions or need additional guidance, please contact Kat Weber, Program Specialist, at 920-663-7317 or weberka@uwgb.edu.

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