Graduate Certificate in Sustainability and Business - D'Amore-McKim School of Business

Sustainability isn't just another buzzword—it's a new way of doing business that requires organizations to make a positive impact on surrounding communities. When you earn your Graduate Certificate in Sustainability and Business from Northeastern, you'll develop a foundation of skills for creating sustainable business strategies that can make you a more well-rounded leader.

Graduate Certificate in Sustainability and Business Program Overview

Program Structure: 12–15 credits
Class Schedule: Monday–Thursday evenings at 5:20 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Start Term: January or September
Time to Complete: 1 to 3 years

Part-Time Graduate Certificate | Typical program timeline

*Course offerings change each semester.
**Most finish in three semesters, but you can go at your own pace up to three years.

Download the program fact sheet

Unique Features

Learn strategies for addressing climate change, social justice, community impact, and governing transparency that give your organization a competitive edge in the marketplace
Specialize your studies with electives relevant to your goals, such as social entrepreneurship, public policy, or sustainable supply chain management
Build experience through applied project work and case studies—key components of Northeastern's practice-oriented approach to learning
Build the foundation for a future master's degree from Northeastern—you may be able to apply your certificate credits toward an eligible master's program

“More and more, companies are coming to realize the value of making sustainability integral to their business strategies. The Graduate Certificate in Sustainability and Business equips you with the knowledge to incorporate sustainable practices into all aspects of a company, from building customer trust, to attracting and retaining a committed workforce, to developing reliable supplier relationships and obtaining social impact financing.”
Sheila M. Puffer, University Distinguished Professor
Professor of International Business and Strategy

The business learning you need

Dive Deeper

Are graduate business certificates worth it?

Graduate certificates can be a worthwhile investment as they can enhance specific skills, boost career advancement opportunities, and offer flexible, cost-effective education. These programs are ideal for professionals seeking targeted knowledge without the commitment of a full degree, which in turn provides networking opportunities and the potential to stand out to employers in a short-term timeframe. Learn more about the benefits of a graduate certificate, what earning a graduate certificate entails, and if pursuing one might be the right fit for you.

Learn more about certificates →

Graduate certificate vs. master's degree: what credential is right for me?

Exploring graduate education options is an important step towards advancing your career, gaining specialized knowledge, and enhancing your professional qualifications. If you're contemplating graduate-level education, you may be weighing the benefits of pursuing a graduate certificate versus a master's degree. Learn more about these distinct types of graduate credentials, their key differences, and the pros and cons of each option.

Learn more about the difference →

Curriculum

The coursework for the Graduate Certificate in Sustainability and Business will cultivate the skills needed to practice ethical and sustainable decisions in today's business world, giving your organization a competitive edge.

Through relevant coursework, you'll learn to increase efficiency, drive value, and build trust through sustainable practices. You'll complete your certificate in as few as four courses, with an optional fifth to expand your learning. Through one required core course and choices from six electives, you'll dive into topics such as social entrepreneurship, public policy, and sustainable supply chain management.

Enrolled students should reference the academic catalog for current program requirements.

EXPLORE the CURRICULUM

Experience-Powered Learning

Experience is the signature feature of a Northeastern education. Your Graduate Certificate in Sustainability and Business courses will include applied project work that strengthens your collaboration and problem-solving skills. Some of your learning will happen outside your formal curriculum—take advantage of these non-credit opportunities to expand your knowledge base.

Bloomberg Business Lab

Access almost any piece of information you need about global markets and business using the powerful research and analysis tools leveraged by the financial services industry.

DATA Club

Participate in real-world data challenges to strengthen your skills and connect with a powerful network of like-minded students as you explore data's infinite applications.

Picture of a screen with many forms of data

Data KIPS

Join a supportive network of students and engage in peer-to-peer mentorship to apply data to strategic business decision-making. Participate as an expert or as a member.

Emalie Hermans and Bailey Kane, both college of engineering students graduating in 2019, work in the IDEA lab in Hayden Hall

IDEA Student-Led Venture Accelerator

Get comprehensive support to bring your big idea to market—or volunteer to coach budding startups on finance, marketing, or business strategy.

Career Outlook

The D'Amore-McKim Graduate Certificate in Sustainability and Business prepares you for roles specializing in implementing sustainable practices into business. This program teaches you the fundamentals of sustainable business strategy while developing a competitive edge for your organization. Depending on your experience, your certificate may lead to roles such as sustainability manager, renewable energy analyst, environmental compliance specialist, environmental planner, natural sciences manager, or corporate social responsibility manager. Our graduates are recruited by companies of all sizes, from startups to multinational organizations.

Plan a successful career with genuine support

Dedicated career support through our Graduate Career Center

Tap into the extensive career planning tools and the deep understanding of the job market that our Graduate Career Center offers. Attend events, build your network, forge connections with fellow students, staff, and faculty, and hear insider insights from employer partners

visit the career center site

Your Graduate Career Center

Prepare for your future through a structured, self-paced module in Career Management, hosted by the Graduate Career Center.

Get job search ready

Our Graduate Career Center has collected extensive resources to help you navigate the job market and grow the career of your dreams—now and after graduation.

Build your network

A strong professional network can help you develop and improve your skillset and stay on top of the latest industry trends.

Explore job postings

The Graduate Career Center connects our exceptional and diverse graduate students and alumni with employers looking for skilled job candidates.

Admissions

Interview required? Upon request.
English language proficiency: English proficiency, both written and verbal, is necessary for success in D'Amore-McKim classrooms. For more information, review our admissions policies.
GMAT Required? No.
Where do I apply? Learn more here.
Eligible for International Student Visa? No. This program is not F-1 visa compliant.
Is a graduate business certificate worth it? Learn more here.

Application Deadlines	Decision Notifications	Classes Begin
Sept. 26, 2024	Rolling Basis	January
Oct. 24, 2024*	Rolling Basis	January
Dec. 5, 2024	Rolling Basis	January
Jan. 9, 2025	Rolling Basis	September
March 27, 2025**	Rolling Basis	September
May 15, 2025	Rolling Basis	September
June 26, 2025	Rolling Basis	September
Aug. 7, 2025	Rolling Basis	September

*Oct. 24, 2024 deadline is the final deadline for international candidates who require a new F-1 or J-1 visa for a January start for eligible full-time programs
**March 27, 2025 deadline is the final deadline for international candidates who require a new F-1 or J-1 visa for a September start for eligible full-time programs

Tuition

Northeastern Student Financial Services publishes the tuition rates for Graduate Certificates. Under the “Graduate Programs” section, the cost per credit appears next to “D'Amore-McKim School of Business Programs.”

Financial Aid

Northeastern offers resources to help you finance your graduate education, and the Student Financial Services team will guide you through your options. Please visit the Graduate Financial Aid page.

Once you are a student, your financial aid advisor will work with you one-on-one to answer your questions, point you to resources and provide valuable insight as you navigate the financial commitments of your program.

Scholarships

Northeastern University has a variety of scholarships. As a graduate certificate applicant you may be eligible for the Full Circle Scholarship. You may also qualify for funding support as an alum, U.S. servicemember, or veteran.

Application Fee Waivers

D'Amore-McKim offers application fee waivers to applicants that meet specific criteria. You can review the policy on the Graduate Application FAQ web page.

The D'Amore-McKim community believes that understanding and solving problems requires constant interaction among people who bring different contexts and experiences to the conversation.

We value uniqueness, recognize the power and importance of belonging in our own and surrounding communities, and ensure engaged participation. Numerous student groups and campus resources focus on building dynamic communities.