Online Sustainable Business Course - 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?
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Be on the leading edge of business thinking.
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Cut through the abstract idea of 'sustainability' to see practical implications for your firm.
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Discover which sustainable business practices, tools, and resources are best to use.
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Learn how to generate organizational change by getting others onboard.
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Bounce ideas off practitioners and graduate school professors.
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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 ...
2009-2010 Program
*Registration for Unit 1 as a fully interactive module ends September 16. Registration as a self-study module is ongoing.
Registration for Units closes the Friday before the class begins.
Introductory unit (must be taken before other units) |
Available Starting |
Fee |
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| Unit 1: | Managing for People, Planet and Profit: Frameworks and Strategies* *Prerequisite for all other units. |
Sept. 21 |
$135 $100 for MEBSR members |
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Required for certificate |
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| Unit 2: | Environmental and Social Bottom Lines | Oct. 5 (week 1) and Oct. 19 (week 2) |
$200 | |
| Unit 3: | Energy Management and Business Response to Climate Change | Nov. 2 |
$100 | |
| Unit 4: | Leading Triple Bottom Line Change | Nov. 16 |
$100 | |
| Unit 5: | Sustainability Reporting & Accounting | Nov. 30 (week 1) and Dec. 7 (week 2) |
$200 | |
| Electives (select 1 for certificate) |
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| Unit 6: | Life Cycle Analysis and Supply Chain Management | Jan. 4 |
$100 | |
| Unit 7: | Green Marketing | Jan. 11 (week 1) and Jan. 25 (week 2) |
$200 | |
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 available to you is comparable to what might be covered in an MBA course.
Please note that the program covers the environmental and social bottom lines, with emphasis on the former. The financial bottom-line is addressed in terms of its interaction with the other two bottom lines; the program is not designed as an introduction to business or an overview of traditional financial bottom-line management.
To register, click the Unit Title and add the unit to your bookbag.
Please direct inquires to 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 |
Sustainability Coordinator, University of Southern Maine |
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Richard Grover, Ph.D. |
Associate Professor of Business Administration, University of Southern Maine |
Jeff Shields, Ph.D. |
Associate Professor of Accounting, University of Southern Maine |
Endorsements from professionals who took a pilot version 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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