In addition to its MBA program, BGI offers a certificate program for graduate level credit. BGI's certificate program offers the opportunity to deepen students' understanding of sustainable business practices that champion social justice, environmental responsibility, and profitability.

• The Certificate Program in Sustainable Business (weekly and monthly format) empowers people who want to make an existing business more profitable, equitable, and restorative to the environment. Students focus on the business case for sustainability, whole systems thinking and modeling, and the role of business in community and society.

Audience

This program is designed for a diverse community of professionals including:

• Students who, due to time, financial or eligibility constraints, cannot yet commit to enrollment in the MBA in Sustainable Business degree program. (Credits earned in the Sustainable Business certificate programs are transferable to BGI's MBA in Sustainable Business.)
• Graduates of traditional MBA programs who wish to expand their expertise and include formal study of sustainability business practices. Experienced business managers, sole-proprietors, managers and employees of profit and non-profit businesses, and government employees.
• Candidates with a bachelor’s degree in any field who wish to understand how to apply principles and practices of sustainable business to an existing business or are contemplating starting a business.

Credit

• Students with a bachelor’s or higher degree shall receive academic credit for successfully completed courses and receive a certificate in the appropriate specialization. Credits earned in the Certificate Program are transferable to the MBA in Sustainable Business.

Delivery

Information on date and time delivery for each certificate program is included in the detailed description of the program. In addition to in-class time, certificate students will use two internet-based platforms to enhance their learning experience and connect with the entire BGI community.

• The Channel, our online learning environment, provides a space for course work between class sessions and for informal interaction among the greater BGI community. Students, faculty, staff, and alumni from all academic programs post issues and share interests and opportunities. The Channel also includes a virtual library giving students access to both required reading and a range of research databases. A number of features that support the administration of the program such as registration are located on The Channel.
• Elluminate is a cross-platform web conferencing technology that provides a real-time virtual classroom with dynamic interaction. Elluminate can be used for any learning activity—from lectures to presentations to small group discussions and debates.

Orientation

Orientation for the Sustainable Business Certificate program date and location to be determined. Enrolled students should plan for a full day of orientation activities, which will include a welcome of new students in an Opening Circle, introductions, team-building exercises, technical training, administrative orientation, first course introduction, overview and class work. Attendance at the certificate program orientation is mandatory. A one-time orientation fee is assessed for students regardless of their quarter of admission.

Location

Students meet at the new Seattle Learning Site. Located in the Belltown neighborhood of Seattle, in the downtown core, the Seattle facility is the urban home of BGI. The building also houses KPLU, the US Department of Commerce and the US Small Business Administration. Part of the suite houses a portion of the staff. The classroom and resource center of the Learning Site is used for programs as well as Change Agent visits, creative sessions and other community building opportunities.