This page contains information about certifications that may supplement, enhance, or accompany your degree. Certifications can provide additional or complementary expertise that may help you further specialize your career path. Links are included to direct you to additional information and specific requirements for each certification.
Sustainable Building and Design
International Living Futures Institute
The International Living Future Institute (ILFI) is a nonprofit working to build an ecologically-minded, restorative world for all people. Using principles of social and environmental justice, ILFI seeks to counter climate change by pushing for an urban environment free of fossil fuels.
LEED Certification
LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is the most widely used green building rating system in the world. Available for virtually all building, community and home project types, LEED provides a framework to create healthy, highly efficient and cost-saving green buildings. LEED certification is a globally recognized symbol of sustainability achievement.
International Well Building Institute
The International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) is leading the global movement to transform our buildings and communities in ways that help people thrive. IWBI delivers the cutting-edge WELL Building Standard, the first to be focused exclusively on the ways that buildings, and everything in them, can improve our comfort, drive better choices, and generally enhance, not compromise, our health and wellness.
The Passive House Institute (PHI) is an independent research institute that has played an especially crucial role in the development of the Passive House concept - the only internationally recognized, performance-based energy standard in construction.
RESET
RESET™ Air prioritizes on-going results and long-term occupant health. Indoor air quality data is gathered through air monitors that measure CO2, particulate matter, TVOC, temperature, and relative humidity. Results stream to the cloud and can be viewed in real-time from any computer or mobile device. Training is available for certification as a RESET Accredited Professional.
Fitwel
Fitwel provides tailored strategies for multifamily residential and workplace properties to optimize unique opportunities for each project. Stay tuned as we expand our portfolio to include other project types in the future. Ambassadors are leaders and active participants in Fitwel’s healthy building movement. They are well-versed in the evidence-based connection between design and health, can integrate Fitwel’s strategies within projects, and are able to effectively navigate the Fitwel Portal to track progress and attain Fitwel Certification.
The International Living Future Institute (ILFI) is a nonprofit working to build an ecologically-minded, restorative world for all people. Using principles of social and environmental justice, ILFI seeks to counter climate change by pushing for an urban environment free of fossil fuels.
- Requires 80 hours of approved coursework (can be university courses, online webinars, certification-specific trainings, etc.) and completion of exam
LEED Certification
LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is the most widely used green building rating system in the world. Available for virtually all building, community and home project types, LEED provides a framework to create healthy, highly efficient and cost-saving green buildings. LEED certification is a globally recognized symbol of sustainability achievement.
- Certification requires continuing education and successful completion of an exam to attain “knowledge badges” in any or four areas: Energy efficiency, Indoor Air Quality and Building Data Analytics.
International Well Building Institute
The International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) is leading the global movement to transform our buildings and communities in ways that help people thrive. IWBI delivers the cutting-edge WELL Building Standard, the first to be focused exclusively on the ways that buildings, and everything in them, can improve our comfort, drive better choices, and generally enhance, not compromise, our health and wellness.
- Requires 8 hour prep course facilitated by certified instructor + exam. Cost is $200 per person.
The Passive House Institute (PHI) is an independent research institute that has played an especially crucial role in the development of the Passive House concept - the only internationally recognized, performance-based energy standard in construction.
- Training takes place over 3 months, plus a one-week intensive training and exam, and a 2-month take home design project
RESET
RESET™ Air prioritizes on-going results and long-term occupant health. Indoor air quality data is gathered through air monitors that measure CO2, particulate matter, TVOC, temperature, and relative humidity. Results stream to the cloud and can be viewed in real-time from any computer or mobile device. Training is available for certification as a RESET Accredited Professional.
Fitwel
Fitwel provides tailored strategies for multifamily residential and workplace properties to optimize unique opportunities for each project. Stay tuned as we expand our portfolio to include other project types in the future. Ambassadors are leaders and active participants in Fitwel’s healthy building movement. They are well-versed in the evidence-based connection between design and health, can integrate Fitwel’s strategies within projects, and are able to effectively navigate the Fitwel Portal to track progress and attain Fitwel Certification.
- Certification requires completion of an online course and exam
Renewable Energy + Energy Systems
The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners
The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is the most respected, well-established and widely recognized national certification organization for professionals in the field of renewable energy. NABCEP offers credentials for skilled professionals, specialists and those new to working in the areas of photovoltaics, solar heating and small wind technologies. NABCEP’s mission is to develop and implement quality credentialing and certification programs for practitioners by supporting and working closely with professionals and stakeholders in the renewable energy and energy efficiency industries.
The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is the most respected, well-established and widely recognized national certification organization for professionals in the field of renewable energy. NABCEP offers credentials for skilled professionals, specialists and those new to working in the areas of photovoltaics, solar heating and small wind technologies. NABCEP’s mission is to develop and implement quality credentialing and certification programs for practitioners by supporting and working closely with professionals and stakeholders in the renewable energy and energy efficiency industries.
- Certification requires completion of an exam
Sustainable Landscapes
SITES
SITES is a sustainability-focused framework that ushers landscape architects, engineers and others toward practices that protect ecosystems and enhance the mosaic of benefits they continuously provide our communities, such as climate regulation, carbon storage and flood mitigation. The SITES Accredited Professional establishes a common framework to define the profession of sustainable landscape design and development. It provides landscape professionals with the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge, expertise and commitment to the profession.
SITES is a sustainability-focused framework that ushers landscape architects, engineers and others toward practices that protect ecosystems and enhance the mosaic of benefits they continuously provide our communities, such as climate regulation, carbon storage and flood mitigation. The SITES Accredited Professional establishes a common framework to define the profession of sustainable landscape design and development. It provides landscape professionals with the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge, expertise and commitment to the profession.
- Certification requires completion of an exam and proof of education or practitioner experience
Professional Certifications
Sustainability Professional Certification
The ISSP Sustainability Professional Certification program allows sustainability professionals to earn credentials that recognize their knowledge, skills, and abilities in the field. There are two levels of credentials:
The ISSP Sustainability Professional Certification program allows sustainability professionals to earn credentials that recognize their knowledge, skills, and abilities in the field. There are two levels of credentials:
- ISSP Sustainability Associate (ISSP-SA): For individuals who are new to sustainability or those in allied professions such as purchasing, HR, and facilities management who incorporate sustainability thinking into their work
- Requires application and successful completion of an exam
- ISSP Certified Sustainability Professional (ISSP-CSP): For veteran sustainability professionals with five or more years of experience working in the sustainability field
- Requires ISSP SA certification, demonstrated professional experience and education, and successful completion of an exam