Certificate in Sustainability and Business at Northeastern University

Northeastern University

United States of America, Boston

University Rank:#384

The Sustainability and Business at Northeastern University is a Certificate program designed for students who want to build the knowledge and skills required for careers in this field. Delivered on campus at the Boston campus in United States of America, the program is taught in English and takes 3 years to complete. Students study in a Full Time environment while preparing for future professional opportunities. The next intake starts on January 1, 2027.

About Certificate in Sustainability and Business

Doing business sustainably in a fast-changing global landscape requires a thorough understanding of an organization’s operations and how they affect the larger community. Professionals who can make informed decisions about sustainability—pulling from knowledge of multiple disciplines—are poised to make a big impact on business strategy.

By earning your Graduate Certificate in Sustainability and Business, you’ll deepen your understanding of the concept of sustainability across functions and industries. Your core courses will focus on economic analysis and decision-making, while your electives will allow you to explore topics relevant to your career goals, such as social entrepreneurship or sustainable supply chain management.

You’ll study part time on our Boston campus, choosing from two evening class times Monday–Thursday. You may start the program in January, May or September.

Learn more about the Graduate Certificate in Sustainability and Business program at the D‘Amore-McKim School of Business.

More Details

Unique Features

Learn the competitive implications of sustainability and build a tool kit for industry and economic analysis that will guide your decision-making.
Tailor your learning by choosing electives that align with your goals, exploring topics such as sustainable global innovation or social entrepreneurship.
Deepen your learning with experience through applied projects and real-world case studies.
Access career guidance from expert counselors at Northeastern’s office of Employer Engagement and Career Design.
Grow your professional network by studying with peers from diverse academic and industry backgrounds.
Build toward a future master’s degree at Northeastern by earning credits you can apply toward an eligible program.

Program Objectives

The Graduate Certificate in Sustainability and Business is designed to help professionals in any industry or business function make intelligent decisions about sustainability—by understanding its implications for both the larger community and the bottom line. This flexible program builds your skill set and deepens your knowledge base in just four or five courses, giving you a valuable credential that you can leverage for a more senior role at your current job, use as a stepping stone toward a new position, or build the foundation for a future master’s degree at Northeastern.

The coursework blends knowledge from multiple disciplines—including economics, entrepreneurship, and innovation—to build a framework for decision-making that drives social value.

Career Outlook

The Graduate Certificate in Sustainability and Business is a powerful step toward accelerating your career. The program can help you become a more knowledgeable and influential decision-maker in your current industry or business function, or it can lay the foundation for pursuing a career as a sustainability analyst or consultant.

Employers especially value the signature D’Amore-McKim emphasis on the role of data and technology in the global marketplace—which has substantial implications for sustainable business. Depending on your experience and available opportunities, you may be able to leverage your graduate certificate for a role with more influence on decision-making, a higher salary, or greater job security—or land a new position altogether. You may also consider applying credits earned toward an eligible master’s degree at Northeastern, such as the Part-Time MBA program.

Accreditation Information

Accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International—the highest standard of achievement for business schools worldwide.

Through our Graduate Certificate in Sustainability and Business program at the D’Amore-McKim School of Business, you’ll build decision-making skills for a business world that’s increasingly conscious of its impact on communities and the planet. You can complete your certificate in as few as four courses, with the option to add a fifth to deepen your learning.

Learn the competitive implications of sustainability and build a tool kit for industry and economic analysis that will guide your decision-making.
Tailor your learning by choosing electives that align with your goals, exploring topics such as sustainable global innovation or social entrepreneurship.
Deepen your learning with experience through applied projects and real-world case studies.
Access career guidance from expert counselors at Northeastern’s office of Employer Engagement and Career Design.
Grow your professional network by studying with peers from diverse academic and industry backgrounds.
Build toward a future master’s degree at Northeastern by earning credits you can apply toward an eligible program.

Requirements and Admission Criteria for Certificate in Sustainability and Business at Northeastern University

Entry Requirements

Application form
Application fee
Personal statement
Current resumé
One to three letters of professional recommendation
Academic transcript(s)
Permanent residency card (if applicable)

GMAT/GRE required? Graduate certificate programs do not require a GMAT or GRE score.

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.

English Requirements

PTEMin 76
IELTSMin 8
TOEFLMin 108

English Program Requirements

Northeastern students will be exposed to not only a rigorous academic environment but also a fast-paced experiential one. In order to be successful in both, all first-year and transfer applicants, regardless of citizenship, must demonstrate proficiency in English to be considered for admission to Northeastern.

Once your application is submitted, received, and processed, you will be able to access your Application Status Check. If you are required to provide further information regarding your proficiency in English, you will be able to complete the requirement in several ways, depending on your familiarity with English, and the frequency with which you use English each and every day:

Non-native English-speaking applicants will be required to submit official and valid results from one of the following English Language Tests:
- C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency (Cambridge English)
- Duolingo English Test (DET)
- IELTS Academic
- PTE Academic
- TOEFL Internt-based Test (CEEB Code: 3667) Northeastern will accept either the in-person version completed in a test center, or the TOEFL iBT Home Edition
However, based on your academic environment and the primary instructional language in either your high school or university, you may be eligible for a waiver. All waivers must be submitted through your Application Status Check. For additional information and to determine whether or not you are eligible for a waiver, please read the section below on waiving the English proficiency requirement.

Please note: Northeastern’s Admissions Committee reserves the right to request proof of English language proficiency from any applicant, regardless of citizenship or first language, at any time during the evaluation process.

Career Opportunities after Completing Certificate in Sustainability and Business

Tuition and Fee Information for Certificate in Sustainability and Business at Northeastern University

Application Fee 75

How to Apply for Certificate in Sustainability and Business at Northeastern University

1.Create your application
Submit your application through The Common Application or the Coalition Application (both are accepted). Once you have created your application, please select Northeastern University to directly submit your application to us. Application fee of $75 or need-based fee waiver* *Northeastern accepts need-based fee waivers from the Common Application, the Coalition Application, as well as organizations such as the College Board and ACT, or in a written request from a school official.
2.Submit all required materials
Double check to make sure that you have submitted all required materials. Even if your application has been submitted, we cannot begin reviewing your file until all of your required materials have been received. For applicants applying for the 2022-2023 academic year, Northeastern University is test-optional and does not require standardized testing to complete an application for admission.
3.Check your application status
Within seven days of applying, you should receive a confirmation email containing your Northeastern University ID number and instructions for setting up your Application Status Check account. To ensure all of the necessary documents have been submitted, and for updates or information about your application, visit your application status check.

Certificate in Sustainability and Business at Northeastern University

Northeastern University

United States of America, Boston