Online Sustainable Business Course and Sustainability Certificate Program- USM Center for Continuing Education

In 2009, the University of Southern Maine expanded its popular sustainable business course into a noncredit Sustainability Certificate Program offered through the USM Center for Continuing Education.

Managing for financial, environmental, and social performance

Climate change, volatile energy prices, consumer interest in green products and services, and stakeholder demand for corporate accountability call for the adoption of sustainable business practices and corporate social responsibility (CSR). Learn how large corporations like Interface, small firms like New Belgium Brewing, and green-tech start ups are prospering by managing the triple bottom line of People, Planet, and Profit.

Who should enroll?

Entrepreneurs, leaders, and managers who understand traditional management, but want to move their organization toward sustainability. Perhaps the buzz about green business has piqued your interest. Or perhaps you seek the next level of knowledge after having been inspired at a business seminar or reading a best seller like Hot, Flat and Crowded, Natural Capitalism or Green to Gold.

Benefits to you?

Be on the leading edge of business thinking.
Cut through the abstract idea of 'sustainability' to see practical implications for your firm.
Discover which sustainable business practices, tools, and resources are best to use.
Learn how to generate organizational change by getting others onboard.
Bounce ideas off practitioners and graduate school professors.
Build your resume with a Certificate in Sustainable Business.

How does distance learning operate?

The online class format provides the convenience of learning at a time and place of your choosing without giving up interaction with instructors and colleagues. Learn more ...

Spring 2010 Program (click unit titles for descriptions)

ALA CARTE UNITS (does not lead to certificate)			Start Date	Tuition
	Unit 1:	Managing for People, Planet and Profit: Frameworks and Strategies* *This introductory unit must be taken before other units.	Feb. 2 (two week unit)	$220 $180 for MEBSR members, other sponsors/affiliates, and Early Bird registrants
	Unit 2:	Environmental Bottom Line (includes optional building tour)	Feb. 23	$120
	Unit 3:	Energy Management and Business Response to Climate Change	March 9	$120
	Unit 4:	Social Bottom Line and Social Enterprise	March 23	$120
	Unit 5:	Leading Triple Bottom Line Change	April 6	$120
	Unit 6:	Sustainability Reporting and Accounting	April 20 (week 1) and May 4 (week 2)	$220
	Unit 7:	Triple Bottom Line Marketing	May 18 (2 week unit)	$220
CERTIFICATE PROGRAM OPTIONS
	Units 1-7:	Certificate Program in Sustainable Business- Full Registration	Feb. 2	$1,050
	Units 2-7:	Units 2-7 Package* *available to those who enrolled in Unit 1 on an ala carte basis	Feb. 23 Register online by midnight Feb. 22	$830

Registration

To register online, click an option in the table above and add the option to your 'bookbag.' All deadlines refer to eastern standard time (EST).

Late registrations for Unit 1 are still being accepted. Please call CCE (207-780-5900) to register. For other units, online registration ends at midnight the day before the unit starts. All deadlines refer to eastern standard time (EST).

Discounts (must register using phone number at bottom of screen; discounts may not be combined):

Early bird discount of $40 ends Jan. 15th at noon
$40 discount for members of MEBSR or other sponsor and affiliates

Continuing Education Credits
Each 1-week unit is equivalent to 4 contact hours (.4 CEUs), although you may want to spend more time exploring online material. Two-week units are 8 contact hours (.8 CEUs). The content of the full certificate program is comparable to what is covered in an MBA course.

For Additional Information:
Please direct inquiries to Charlotte Mace, SBC Program Coordinator, macesustainability@gmail.com , 207-642-6212 or Nancy Artz (artz@usm.maine.edu, 207-780-4321)

Instructors

Nancy Artz, Ph.D.	Professor of Business Administration, University of Southern Maine
Jeffrey Gramlich, Ph.D.	Professor of Accounting and L.L. Bean/Lee Surace Endowed Chair, University of Southern Maine
Dudley Greeley	Sustainability Coordinator, University of Southern Maine
Richard Grover, Ph.D.	Associate Professor of Business Administration, University of Southern Maine
Jeff Shields, Ph.D. Merritt T. Carey, J.D. Daniel Martinez, Ph. D.	Associate Professor of Accounting, University of Southern Maine Founder and Principal of GraffamSolutions Instructor and Consultant

Endorsements from professionals who completed earlier versions of the program::

"From strategy to operations, sustainability will be a driver in all forms of business. USM can help you lead in this area."

Allison Stoddard, Marketing Manager, Wright-Ryan Construction

“This class gave me an appreciation of both sustainable business and the business of sustainability. Understanding the concepts behind “green” business and social marketing has not only caused me to think about ways of improving these areas in my company, but has increased my awareness of how other companies are developing their businesses practices and the impact that has on the consumer.”

Chris Gailey , merchandiser, national retailer

“A formal study of sustainability issues gave me the credibility within my organization to launch internal programming and create enthusiasm about the subject.”

Michele S., Assistant Vice President, banking industry

"This course has been an eye-opening adventure and significantly changed my views on global warming and the impact each of our choices makes on the environment. It's a unique program with a wide range of dynamic materials that are thought provoking and applicable to daily work-life experiences. I find myself making decisions on a daily basis that reflect the learning principles in this course and the fact that small changes in program development can have a beneficial impact on environmental sustainability. The on-line format is so easy and convenient that even those that are not computer-savvy will feel confident in their ability to navigate the course materials. The content and the faculty are top notch."

Cori Holt, MBA, Program Manager, Center for Tobacco Independence

"It is an imperative that professionals learn how their businesses can improve through the pursuit of sustainability. USM's Certificate Program in Sustainable Business is an excellent first step."

Charlotte Mace, Sustainability Consultant

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