Sustainable Design & Development - A Non-Credit Certificate Program Offered by NIU Outreach

About the Certificate Program

Maximize your career opportunities in today's green-collar economy with this Sustainable Design & Development Certificate from NIU Outreach.  Equip yourself with the tools and techniques of sustainable practice and lead the way in creating a more sustainable world, whether you work in the public, private, or nonprofit sector. 

This program is driven by real-world applicability, and students will learn the intricacies and responsibilities of sustainable design and gain expertise in emerging ecological practices and principles as applied to various types of projects.  Addressed throughout the program are key technical, ethical, economic and aesthetic aspects of sustainability.  Emphasized during the program are the basics of renewable energy, financial incentives for building green, how to market your green features, and documenting LEED projects. 

At the conclusion of the program, you will have gained a thorough understanding of the USGBC's LEED rating system, Energy Star, green globes program, home energy rater services, building performance institute, and much more. 

Progam Detail 

This program consists of 105 hours of classroom instruction which is broken down into three parts. 

Part I:  Introduction to Sustainability and Green Building
Five days/35 hours of classroom learning.  Click on course name above for detail or to register.

Part II:  Green Design, Construction & Operations
Three days/21 hours of classroom learning.  Click on course name above for detail or to register.

Part III:  Elective Courses
Seven days/49 hours of classroom learning.  Choose from the following elective courses.  Click on each course name for further information or to register.

• LEED AP+ Existing Buildings Operations and Maintenance Exam Prep Course (14 hours)
• LEED AP+ LEED for Homes Exam Prep Course (14 hours)
• LEED AP+ Building Design, Construction and Operations Exam Prep Course (14 hours)
• Basics of Solar (14 hours)
• Financial Incentives for Green Building (7 hours)
• Green Marketing (7 hours)
• LEED Case Study (7 hours)
• Basics of LEED Consulting - Strategies (4 hours)
• Basics of LEED Consulting - Documentation (4 hours)

Please direct all questions about these LEED courses to Donna M. Mann at dmann@niu.edu.

NIU Outreach offers online training for a Certified Compliance Inspector of Stormwater and a Certified Preparer of Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plans. Click here for more information.

NIU Outreach also offers training in Facilities Managment. For more information, visit our web site at www.fm.niu.edu.