The NC State Business Sustainability Certificate equips professionals with the skills and knowledge to lead purpose-driven businesses that tackle global challenges like climate change and social inequality. With a focus on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) metrics, sustainable business models and global strategies, this program prepares you to drive innovation and transformation for good, across industries.
This certificate program is best for: professionals passionate about leading sustainable business practices, those in related fields seeking to integrate sustainability into their strategies, and individuals who want to leverage business to drive social and environmental impact, without sacrificing financial success.
12 Credit Hours
Typical completion time is 18 mos. Must complete within 4 years.
Open Enrollment
Open to non-degree seeking students as well as Jenkins MBA, Master of Management and NC State graduate students.
Online Delivery
100% online with an option for in-person courses. Optional global experiences.
What Makes this Program Unique?
A Leader in Business Sustainability: Connect through through Business Sustainability Collaborative with faculty and industry leaders who champion socially and environmentally responsible business practices.
Hands-on Consulting Experience: Participate in the B Corp Clinic, where you’ll collaborate with aspiring B Corporations—including brands like Red Hat and Raleigh Founded— to strengthen their social and environmental impact through real-world consulting projects.
Interdisciplinary Approach: Benefit from interdisciplinary learning. This certificate was developed in collaboration with the College of Natural Resources, combining business strategy with environmental science to offer a well-rounded perspective on sustainable enterprise.
“I learned that sustainability has impacts across many functional areas of business, including… DEI efforts, finance, supply chain, vendor management and general operations.“
Ann Beal
Former student, B Corp Sustainability Practicum
Video Spotlight
Jessica Yinka Thomas, faculty director of the Business Sustainability Certificate and director of Poole College’s Business Sustainability Collaborative, brings over 15 years of experience in social innovation and sustainable enterprise. In this video, she discusses a new model of business ‘as a force for good,’ B Corporations (B Corps).
Curriculum
To earn the NC State Graduate Finance Certificate, students need to complete 12 credit hours as outlined in the Plan Requirementsbelow. Once admitted to the program, students must complete the MBA 520 prerequisite before enrolling in any other certification course.
Certificate Requirements
Course List
Code
Title
Hours
Counts towards
Required Courses
5
MBA 510
Critical Thinking for Managers
MBA 512
Ethical Thinking for Managers
MBA 582
B Corp Clinic Sustainability Practicum
Poole College Elective Courses1
4
MBA 547
Sustainable Operations Management
MBA 587
Sustainability in Business
MBA 590
Special Topics In Business Management (Sustainable Business in Emerging Markets Study Abroad to Brazil) 1
MBA 590
Special Topics In Business Management (Business Sustainability in Emerging Markets) 1
MBA 590
Special Topics In Business Management (Marketing and Corporate Social Responsibility)
MBA 590
Special Topics In Business Management (Accounting for ESG)
College of Natural Resources Elective Courses
3
EA 505
Environmental Assessment Law & Policy
EA 520
Renewable Energy Policy and Economics
EA 521
Fundamentals of Renewable Energy Site Assessment
EA 522
Photovoltaic Design and Assessment
EA 523
Assessment of Renewable Energy Storage Systems
FOR 519
Forest Economics
NR 500
Natural Resource Management
NR 560
Renewable Natural Resource Management and Policy
NR 595
Special Topics in Natural Resources
PRT 550
Human Behavior and the Environment
PSE 576
Environmental Life Cycle Analysis
Total Hours2
12
1
Students may take either the Business Sustainability in Emerging Markets Study Abroad or the Business Sustainability in Emerging Markets online, but not both to count towards the certificate.
2
A minimum of 9 credit hours within Poole College of Management are required.
Accelerated Course Sequence
Below is a sample online course sequence for students who want to complete the Business Sustainability Certificate in 18 months.
Fall
MBA 510 Critical Thinking for Managers (1 credit)
MBA 512 Ethical Thinking for Managers (1 credit)
MBA 590 Marketing and Corporate Social Responsibility (online) (1 credit)
Spring
MBA 582 B Corp Clinic Sustainability Practicum (3 credits)
MBA 547 Sustainable Operations Management (1 credit)
Fall
PSE 476 Environmental Life Cycle Analysis (3 credits)
MBA 587 Sustainability in Business (1 credit)
MBA 590 Business Sustainability in Emerging Markets (1 credit)
Student Resources
Students earning graduate certificates have access to many of the same resources as students in our degree programs, including:
Wolfpack One Card: The Wolfpack One Card (student ID) provides access to student resources, including the university library. For more information, visit Wolfpack One Card Services.
Campus Resources: Certificate-only students have access to resources such as the Writing Center, wellness programs and entrepreneurship support.
Career advising and resources: The Business Sustainability Collaborative (BSC) offers career advising and resources for students, including certificate-only students, interested in sustainability careers. Visit the BSC Career resources page to learn more. (NOTE: certificate-only students are not eligible to schedule career appointments with the Poole Career Center.)
Qualifications
Bachelor’s Degree: A four-year degree from a regionally accredited institution (or equivalent)
GPA Requirement: A minimum GPA of 3.0 in relevant undergraduate or graduate courses (exceptions available for graduate-level work)
Work Experience: Two years of full-time, post-baccalaureate professional experience
English Proficiency (International Applicants): TOEFL or IELTS required unless eligible for a waiver
Grade Requirement: A grade of B- or better (3.0 GPA) must be maintained for certificate courses
Program Rules: No transfer credits or course substitutions. All coursework must be completed within four years.
NC State Students: Open to current NC State graduate students, including Jenkins MBA, MAC, MMA.
Browse our quarterly newsletters to learn about updates, events and the long-term impact of the work we’re doing at Poole College to further business sustainability.
