Certificate in Sustainability - J

The NVU-Johnson Certificate in Sustainability provides students with a broad understanding of ecological literacy within the context of learning how to live, work, and play sustainably on planet earth. The program is grounded in the practice of responsible business and the applied social and natural sciences. Experiential learning with a combined emphasis on the personal and professional arenas is at the core of the program. Course work and practicums weave together principles of ecology, green business, and community vitality within the context of finding solutions to the range of local to global environmental challenges. The program requires students to develop their own definition of sustainability as it pertains to their own particular set of values and circumstances. Course work and hands-on activities will ask students to delve deeply into the transdisciplinary and multifaceted topic of sustainability. From this integrated approach, students will learn to develop solutions to current and future environmental, social, and economic challenges in their professional and personal lives.

Learning Outcomes

1. Students will successfully apply classroom knowledge to real world experiences.
2. Students will demonstrate industry-appropriate communication skills and the ability to work effectively with diverse groups in a team environment.
3. Students will demonstrate the ability to amass, evaluate, and interpret complex information to make effective business decisions.
4. Students will develop the ability to utilize various analytical techniques, including triple bottom line and product/service life cycle analysis as they relate to business sustainability and personal lifestyle choices.
5. Students will have the ability to discuss the multiple dimensions of sustainability within a wide range of contexts
6. Students will be able to describe and interpret sustainability issues from local, regional, and global perspectives.
7. Students will understand mechanisms which lead to environmental and societal impacts from business operations and individual consumption patterns and be able to demonstrate the skills and knowledge required to develop plans that lead to positive changes for society and the natural environment on a local and global scale.