The Sustainable Building Advisor (SBA) course is a ninemonth, specialized training course and certification exam designed to enable graduates to advise employers or clients on strategies and tools for implementing sustainable building.

Join the hundreds of professionals who have taken the SBA course including:

• Architects and Engineers
• Tenant and Developer Representatives
• Project Managers
• Other Building Industry Professionals
• Resource Conservation Specialists

As a Result of Your Participation You Will...

• Gain an understanding of current sustainability performance standards
• Take a leadership role in your organization and community in a rapidly growing field
• Be eligible to earn the designation "Certified Sustainable Building Advisor"
• Make a difference.

• Save long term costs for building owners, operators and tenants
• Improve the environmental, social and economic viability of the region
• Reduce environmental impacts
• Decrease owner liability
• Improve your skills in a rapidly growing field

By the end of this course participants will be able to:

• Identify and articulate the key practices of sustainable building
• Establish competencies in applying LEED® and other relevant criteria or established guidelines
• Analyze the costs and benefits of incorporating sustainable building measures
• Take advantage of financial incentives and technical assistance offered by governments, utilities and non-profit organizations
• Work with architects, designers, builders, building operators, and utilities to improve a building's performance
• Establish a sustainable design goal for project development
• Assist in the education and training of staff in sustainable building
• Upon successful course completion students are eligible to take the CSBA exam

Eight two-day sessions | Meets one Friday and Saturday per month

Unit 1: Intro to Sustainable Building and Design
Unit 2: Importance of Place
Unit 3: Energy Efficiency and Integrated Lighting Design
Unit 4: "Green" Material Selection
Unit 5: Indoor Environmental Quality & Health
Unit 6: Water Conservation and Quality Protection
Unit 7: Sustainable Job Site Operations
Unit 8: Building Operations and Maintenance

This course is approved as a Level 400 Mastery course under the US Green Building Council's Education Provider Program.

Expert Instructors: Experts in their fields will present the proven and the latest in sustainable design, construction and operation techniques with an emphasis on both practical applications and underlying theories.

Interactive Format: Interactive class discussion and rigorous inquiry will be integrated throughout the course. Participation will be encouraged and expected to enhance a cooperative, fun learning experience. Each unit will include an in-depth small group project that will reinforce technical concepts and develop competencies in applying LEED® and other local programs.

Demonstrated Competencies: Small group project presentations and written papers summarizing results will be required for each unit to document learning and for credit.

Field Trips: Site visits to exemplary projects will provide opportunities to test conceptual understanding with real projects.

Integrated Approach: Units will be fully integrated by the lead instructor to reinforce learning and provide familiarity with cross-disciplinary aspects of applied sustainability.

Readings: Focused reading selections will be assigned for further learning.

Resources: Internet and other resources will be integrated into the classroom experience.

Cross-Sector Applicability: Course content (including case studies and project-based exercises) will address various types of construction (commercial, residential, renovation, and new) and development (greenfield, redevelopment), etc.

Upon successful completion of the course students are eligible to take the CSBA exam. If passed, they earn the designation of Certified Sustainable Building Advisor or CSBA.