Build the skills to lead sustainable business initiatives and drive meaningful organizational impact.
Leverage Business for a Sustainable Future
The NC State Business Sustainability Certificate equips professionals with the skills and knowledge to lead sustainable business initiatives that address global challenges like climate change and social responsibility. With a focus on Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) strategy, sustainable business models and responsible leadership, this program prepares students to drive innovation and long-term business impact across industries.
This certificate program is best for professionals seeking to integrate sustainability into business strategy, individuals interested in ESG and corporate responsibility, and leaders who want to create positive social and environmental impact while supporting organizational success.
What Makes this Business Sustainability Certificate Unique?
A Leader in Business Sustainability: Connect through the Business Sustainability Collaborative with faculty and industry leaders focused on 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
Explore B Corp Clinic Projects
The NC State B Corp Clinic has helped more than 100 companies worldwide strengthen their social and environmental impact through sustainable business practices.
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 Business Sustainability Certificate, students complete 12 credit hours* focused on ESG, sustainable business strategy and responsible leadership.
*One credit hour represents approximately one hour of direct faculty instruction (delivered in person or online) and at least two hours of additional student work per week.
IMPORTANT: The courses below provide an overview of the program’s breadth, but specific program requirements can change. As this publicly-available list is updated a limited number of times annually, current students should contact their academic advisor for the most up-to-date course information.
Certificate Requirements
Course List
Code
Title
Hours
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.
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.)
Newsletter Archive
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.
