PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
This diploma program focuses on preparing you to work in the evolving field of green business management in a variety of positions requiring the application of current industry policies, practices, and procedures and tools. This program will give you theoretical knowledge and hands-on skills in green marketing, green business productivity, sustainability, corporate responsibility and sustainability change management. The program culminates with a hands-on project that allows for the skills learned in the program to be applied to real-world situations.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
On completion of the program, students will acquire the knowledge to apply sustainability policies, practices, procedures and tools in a business context.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
- Grade 12 graduate or mature student status (British Columbia, 19 years or older)
- Meet minimum English language proficiency requirements.
- Completion of, at minimum, a 1-year diploma program in business
CAREER OPTIONS
The demand for sustainable business practices has led to a growth in opportunities for employees with established business skills to additionally integrate green and sustainable practices with business productivity. Successful completion of this program will allow graduates to be able to plan, schedule and implement sustainability strategies; manage and monitor financial and sustainable performance and champion green thinking in the workplace.
- Plan, schedule and implement sustainability strategies
- Manage and monitor financial & sustainable performance
- Champion green thinking in the workplace
Program Organization
| Course No. | TERM 1 | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| SBM100 | Principles of Sustainable Development | 40 |
| SBM110 | Sustainable Operations | 40 |
| SBM120 | Sustainability Management | 40 |
| SBM130 | Corporate responsibility | 40 |
| SBM140 | Sustainability modeling | 40 |
| SBM150 | Sustainability marketing | 40 |
| Course No. | TERM 2 | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| SBM200 | Sustainable operations II | 60 |
| SBM210 | Leadership in sustainability | 40 |
| SBM220 | Advanced topics in green business administration | 60 |
| SBM230 | Market strategy planning | 40 |
| SBM240 | Natural resource management | 40 |
| SBM250 | Market research | 40 |
Delivery models and course sequencing may vary. Course descriptions are listed below.
Admission Requirements
- Grade 12 Graduate or a mature student
- Meet the Language proficiency requirements as listed below:
Prior to acceptance applicants must meet at least one of the following language proficiency requirements:
- Provide verified results for one of the English language proficiency tests listed below.
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic: overall score of 5.5 or higher.
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) IBT: overall score of 46 or higher
- Canadian Academic English Language (CAEL) Test: overall score of 40 or higher
- Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP): Listening 6, Speaking 6, Reading 5, and Writing 5
- Duolingo English Test: overall score of 95 or higher
- Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic: overall score of 43 or higher
- Cambridge English Qualifications: B2 First exam (FCE): overall score of 160 /"C" or higher
- Cambridge Linguaskill: overall: B2 level or higher
- LANGUAGECERT Academic: B2 level or higher
- The Michigan English Test (MET): B2 level or higher
- iTEP Academic: overall score of 3.5 or higher
- EIKEN: placement of Grade Pre-1 or higher
Test results must be dated no more than two years before the start date of the program.
Mature student applicants:
- Completion of 3 years of full-time secondary education (Grades 8-12) or 2 years of secondary education (including English 10 and 11 with a grade of 'C' or higher) from a country where English is one of the principal languages(This may be demonstrated by providing a high school transcript, completion of a BC Adult Graduation program or providing international education credentials recognized through WES, ICES, or IQAS.), or
- Completion of 2 years of full-time post-secondary education at an accredited institution where English is the language of instruction (Language development courses (i.e., ELL courses) cannot be included in this calculation), or
- Evidence that a language standard defined and accepted by a third-party regulator has been met. This may include minimum language standards or testing options set by a third-party regulator (e.g., Health Colleges, Public Registries, Transport Canada, etc.).
- Applicant is 19 years or older at the start of the program and is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident who cannot access is their educational records or provide sufficient evidence of secondary or post-secondary education as outlined above:
- Reading: 235
- Writing: 235
- WritePlacer: 4
Language development courses (i.e., ELL courses) cannot be included in this calculation. Accuplacer may not be used to demonstrate that a student meets an admission requirement other than language proficiency. For example, Accuplacer may not be used to demonstrate that a student meets a Math 11 admission requirement.
SBM200 Sustainable Operations II
Through field work with industry partners, this project-based course will take a modular approach to students’ creation of individual Green Action Plans. Sustainable alternatives will be identified and assessed for feasibility with regards to the barriers to deployment. Students will identify key actions, whether ‘low-hanging fruit’ or opportunities to deepen commitment to sustainability through mitigation of impacts. The Plan will be delivered in a polished, industry-grade presentation and will address key areas of waste management, water use, energy efficiency, renewable energy, and pollution control and consumption patterns.
SBM210 Leadership in Sustainability
This course focuses on the importance of leadership in the work environment. Leaders act as catalysts for positive change and, as such, are the gateposts for ‘healthy’ organizations. Scientific advances and technological innovations lay the groundwork for many shifts but leaders must facilitate these changes. The focal point of this course is the development of strong leadership skills required to communicate and facilitate change coupled with the knowledge to catalyze, mobilize support, build partnerships and find synergies for change, both within and across sectors.
SBM220 Advanced Topics in Green Business Administration
This course will address the components required to integrate, evaluate, report and monitor sustainability in organizations through the lens of a shift toward a post-carbon society. Specific reporting frameworks will be examined in terms of strengths as well as issues of process, quantification, verification and metrics. Environmental policy and programs will be presented as they relate to governance and sustainability broadly and, specifically, with regard to BC’s green economy. The course will wrap up with an examination of emissions trading vs. taxation as vehicles to move us toward decarbonization.
SBM230 Market Strategy Planning
This course takes students through the steps to create a marketing strategy and detailed marketing plan for a new product or service that advances sustainable development. Students will use the concepts learned in the first term course “Sustainability Marketing” to generate ideas and apply concepts to create their plans. The course will use research information gained in the Market Research course to inform the plan development.
SBM240 Natural Resource Management
This course examines the intersection of resource management and managing for the environment. It will focus on the application of pervasive themes throughout the program, including renewable and green energy deployment, green technologies and the post-carbon economy, assessing these through the analysis of business cases and/or feasibility studies. Policy and reporting frameworks (such as ETS, GRI, ISO, LEED) will provide context alongside geopolitical developments in energy security, climate negotiations and development.
SBM250 Market Research
This course explores and demonstrates how marketers use market research as a valuable tool to inform important business decisions. Students will define a business problem, create a detailed market research plan, conduct focus groups, and perform surveys to support product design and marketing strategies.
SBM100 Principles of Sustainable Development
This course introduces the fundamental concepts of sustainability, including the relationships between population, poverty, consumerism and climate change. Students will develop a foundational understanding of global sustainability challenges and build the vocabulary to discuss them critically.
SBM110 Sustainable Operations
Using case studies and research, this course provides an overview of sustainability across industries such as waste management, pollution control, water quality, energy efficiency, forestry and fisheries. Students will develop an understanding of key sustainability principles across sectors.
SBM120 Sustainability Management
This course builds a foundational understanding of sustainable business operations through the study of industry issues, best practices and operational impact mitigation. Students will explore sustainability as a strategic advantage and risk-reduction tool.
SBM130 Corporate Responsibility
This course covers corporate social responsibility (CSR), sustainability reporting and evaluation frameworks including GRI, ISO and the Global Compact. Students will learn how organizations measure and communicate sustainability performance.
SBM140 Sustainability Modeling
This course explores relationships between productivity, development and resource allocation, focusing on environmental and social impacts. Students will use modeling tools to analyze global sustainability challenges and economic trends.
SBM150 Sustainability Marketing
This course provides an overview of sustainable marketing theory and practice, comparing it with traditional marketing. Students will explore macro and micro impacts of marketing and develop sustainable marketing strategies using real-world examples.
Graduation Requirements
- Successful completion of all program courses
- Successful completion of program Co-op (If applicable)
Program Duration
| Program | Hours |
|---|---|
| Total instructional hours | 480 |
| Total program length (weeks) | 24 |
Delivery Method
This program can be delivered in different methods,
-
On Site
The program will be delivered 100% in person*
Courses may be offered in a different order as long as prerequisites are met. Prerequisites are indicated in each course outline.
-
Distance
The program will be delivered 100% in an asynchronous** style except for the integrated work experience i.e practicum or co-op
Content of courses may be available at the same time OR in a different order as long as prerequisites are met. Prerequisites are indicated in each course outline.
-
Combined (Hybrid)
In this method, 50% of EACH COURSE of the program is delivered in person and the other 35% to 50% percent is delivered in synchronous** style and 0 to 15% in asynchronous*** style.
NOTE:
In this method, EVERY course of the program is delivered both in class and online. Courses may be offered in a different order as long as prerequisites are met.
Prerequisites are indicated in each course outline.
Students may ask SEA in writing if they want to take different percentages in class or online. Upon SEA’s approval, an amendment to the enrollment agreement must be signed.
*In person – means all classes of all courses are conducted on campus and students and instructors are on the same schedule and in the same physical location.
**Synchronous is when students and instructors are on the same schedule but can log in to a virtual class at the same time, only from different physical locations.
***Asynchronous is when students are on their own schedule and log in to the school management system at their own time, submit assignments on their own schedule and within a specific timeframe and are in touch with instructors via email and not necessarily at the same time and/or time zone.