Your Journey to Impact Begins Here
Our online, flexible Business Sustainability certificate program will teach you how sustainable business strategies are used as drivers for innovation, collaboration and transformation, including leading-edge business topics from Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) metrics to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, from a global perspective.
Certificate at a glance:
- Start dates: August and January.
- Time to complete: 18 months or up to 4 years
- Open to: Non-degree seeking students as well as Jenkins MBA, Master of Accounting, Master of Management and NC State graduate students.
- Who will benefit: Professionals passionate about transforming the organizational approach to sustainability across business functions and industries.
- Interdisciplinary by design: Developed in collaboration with the College of Natural Resources.
Request information
Complete the form below to learn more about our graduate certificates.
Sustainability is
the Future
In a world where sustainability is no longer a choice but a necessity, businesses are increasingly prioritizing sustainable practices to meet the demands of environmentally conscious consumers, comply with regulations, reduce costs, and create a positive societal impact.
A Leader in the B Corporation Movement
The Business Sustainability Collaborative, housed at NC State Poole College of Management, launched B Academics, a global organization focused on advancing research, teaching and engagement related to B Corps and benefit corporations.
Semester-long Consulting Experience
During a semester-long session (required MBA 582), we pair students with aspiring B Corporations — including leading companies like Red Hat and Raleigh Founded — to help them strengthen their social and environmental impact.
Delivery: 100% Online with Optional In-Person Classes
The certificate can be completed entirely online with a mix of synchronous and asynchronous classes. You can also add in-person classes and global experiences.
Meet Faculty Director Jessica Yinka Thomas
Jessica Yinka Thomas brings more than 15 years of professional experience in social innovation, sustainable enterprise and business development to her role as an associate professor of practice and director of Poole College’s Business Sustainability Collaborative. As part of the Business Sustainability certificate, she teaches a core course, MBA 582: Sustainability in Business Practicum, also known as B Corp Clinic.
As executive director of B Academics, Jessica leads a global community for educators researching and teaching about B Corporations and the importance of business in driving social change. Jessica also serves as a member of the Board of Directors at the Stanford Alumni Association.
Watch Jessica Yinka Thomas discussing a new model of business, B Corporations (B Corps):
There are just so many opportunities for businesses and business leaders to make positive impacts, above and beyond their economic impacts.
Jessica Yinka Thomas
Director of NC State Business Sustainability Collaborative
Associate Professor of Practice, Poole College of Management
Student Experience
You will get hands-on experience working with faculty and industry leaders to champion socially and environmentally responsible business practices. We bring together students with a passion for social and environmental issues and train them to become tomorrow’s sustainability leaders. Here, students learn to make business decisions that benefit our workforce, our communities and our environment — without sacrificing financial success. Explore the highlights of our signature course – MBA 582 – known as B Corp Clinic, that is required for all certificate students and taught by Jessica Yinka Thomas.
When we started, I associated sustainability with green initiatives or climate-related enterprises. What I learned most from this class is that sustainability has impacts across many functional areas of business, including the environment, DEI efforts, finance, supply chain, vendor management and general operations … sustainability is not an all-or-nothing effort.
Ann Beal
MBA 582 former student
Curriculum
The NC State Business Sustainability Certificate consists of 12 credit hours. A minimum of 9 credit hours within Poole College of Management are required.
Core Requirements from Poole College (complete 5 credit hours)
- MBA 510 Critical Thinking for Managers (1 credit)
- MBA 512 Ethical Thinking for Managers (1 credit)
- MBA 582 B Corp Clinic Sustainability Practicum (3 credits)
Electives from Poole College (complete 4-7 credit hours)
- MBA 547 Sustainable Operations Management (1 credit)
- MBA 587 Sustainability in Business (1 credit)
- MBA 590 Sustainable Business in Emerging Markets (Study Abroad in Brazil) (3 credits)
- MBA 590 Marketing and Corporate Social Responsibility (1 credit)
- MBA 590 Business Sustainability in Emerging Markets (1 credit)
- MBA 590 Accounting for ESG (1 credit)
Electives from College of Natural Resources (complete up to 3 credit hours)
- EA 505 Environmental Assessment Law & Policy (3 credits)
- FOR 519 Forest Economics (3 credits)
- NR 500 Natural Resource Management (3 credits)
- NR 560 Renewable Natural Resource Management and Policy (3 credits)
- NR 595 Special Topics in Natural Resources (3 credits)
- PRT 550 Human Behavior and the Environment (3 credits)
- PSE 476 Environmental Life Cycle Analysis (3 credits)
Sample Schedule
Sample accelerated online course sequence for 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)
Qualifications
Required Qualifications
- Four-year bachelor’s degree (or US degree equivalent) from a regionally accredited college or university.
- Two years of full-time, post-baccalaureate professional employment is required for applicants to certificate programs.
- Standardized test scores (GMAT, GRE) are not required to apply to a graduate management certificate program.
- Maintained a minimum GPA of 3.0 across all certificate-counting classes in undergraduate and graduate work (some exceptions are available for those with graduate studies).
- International applicants who are not in a graduate program at NC State must take the TOEFL or IELTS unless they qualify for a waiver. Email pcom_gradcertificates@ncsu.edu for details.
Additional Requirements
- Students must achieve a grade of B- or better (a cumulative 3.0 GPA) to earn academic credit toward the certificate.
- No transfer credits or course substitutions are accepted for this program.
- Students must complete certification courses within four years of starting the program to count toward the certificate requirements.
Ready to apply?
View our certificate admissions page to learn about the admissions process and how to apply.