Program Pricing and Policies
What do Sustainable Practices non-credit classes cost?
The 2013 regular class price is $395 per each classroom-based and term-based online class, and $285 per 10 contact hours for self-paced on-line class.
Are there any discounts for classes?
There is a 20% early bird discount off the regular class price for those who register at least 4 weeks ahead of a course date. We frequently post reminders about early bird discounts expiring on our Facebook page, so please "like" us if you would like to see reminders. There are no discounts for self-paced, online classes.
CU Boulder enrolled undergraduate and graduate students receive a 50% discount off the regular course price for classroom-based and term-based courses. There is also a $65 discount off the self-paced on-line courses. This discount does not apply to CU students at other campuses, non-CU students, nor to visiting students who are not paying full student fees as part of their tuition. Participants in the Sustainable Practices program are not CU students and are not eligible for this discount.
Are there any scholarships or financial aid to help pay for the non-credit Professional Certificate or coursework?
Unfortunately, as a non-credit and non-degree granting program, there is no financial aid available for students in the program. The program receives no university funding and is not able to offer scholarships at this time.
However, many businesses and organizations do offer professional development as an employee benefit and will either pay for, or contribute to, the cost of coursework. Please check with your HR department to see if your organization offers a professional development benefit.
Finally, the program is registered as an Approved Education Provider with the Colorado Department of Labor Workforce Training Center. Training grants are available to eligible unemployed residents of Colorado to complete the Certificate. Please visit your local county Workforce Training Center for more information.
What is the cost of the Professional Certificate in Sustainability Management?
The total cost for the Sustainability Management Certificate ranges from a high of $3950 plus $50 certificate enrollment fee, plus books, to a low of $3160, plus $50 certificate enrollment fee, plus books. The price depends upon how well students plan ahead to take advantage of the 20% early bird discount, and whether a student takes 20 credit hours of the lower priced, self-paced online course at a cost of $285 per 10 contact hours.
What is the Program's cancellation policy and can I transfer to another non-credit class instead?
Students who need to cancel their enrollment in a class may do so up to 10 business days prior to the date of the class. We do charge a 10% cancellation fee, to cover our credit card refund processing costs. Students may also elect to transfer their registration to another class, up to 10 business days prior to the date of the class. If students have paid for the original class under the early bird discount and the early bird discount has expired on the new transfer class, the difference must be paid by the student.
Under VERY limited, extenuating circumstances a student may be eligible to cancel their enrollment or transfer their enrollment to another class after the 10 business day deadline, at the discretion of the program.
How many books are required and how much do they cost?
Each 8 hour classroom-based course requires a minimum of 2 hours preparatory reading, assigned by the instructor. Each instructor chooses the reading that best supports their curriculum and instruction. Many instructors assign pdf articles and weblinks and do not require the purchase of a text. When non-credit classes do require the purchase of a text, that title, author and ISBN number should be listed on the Class Description page (use the clickable link on the Current Class page to get to the Class Description page). Finally, when a course requires the reading of a book, please check with your local library. Many of the texts that are required are available in the local library.
How long do I have to complete the Professional Certificate?
Participants have three (3) years from the time they take their first class to complete their Professional Certificate. So, for example, if a student begins their studies in April of 2010, they have until March of 2013 to complete their 100 contact hours of studies. If a student does not complete their studies by March 2013, then classwork will begin to expire. So, for example, if a student finishes classwork in June 2013, then any classes taken in April, and May of 2010 will have expired and will not count towards the Professional Certificate.
100 contact hours is required to complete the Professional Certificate.
Is there a limit to the number of on-line courses I can take for the Professional Certificate?
There is no limit to the number to TERM-BASED online courses, which have a 30 day window to complete and are supervised by a paid instructor. There is a limit of 20 contact hours of SELF-PACED online classes that can be applied to the Professional Certificate. A score of 80% or better on the final exam is required to pass any online class and apply the contact hours towards the Professional Certificate.
What is the difference between SELF-PACED and TERM-BASED online classes?
Self-paced online classes can be started at any time. They are completely self-study with no instructor supervision or interaction and no interaction with other students. There is a 6 month window to complete the class and take the final exam, from the date a student first logs in to class. 20 credit hours of self-paced, online classes may be applied towards the Professional Certificate. Self-paced classes are designated as such, both in the Class Listings and in the registration process.
Term-based on-line classes have a defined start-date, have instructor supervision and interaction as well as interaction with other students. Term-based online classes are open for 30 days and end on a specific date. It is VERY IMPORTANT to set alarms and reminders to log-in to Term-Based classes and not leave the work to the last minute. Extensions to complete the work of Term-based classes is granted only in VERY limited, extenuating circumstances at the discretion of the instructor and the program. A score of 80% or better on the final exam is required to pass a term-based, online course. An unlimited number of term-based online contact hours may be applied towards the Professional Certificate.
What is the Attendance policy in courses?
We recognize that there are life circumstances that demand students leave a class early or arrive late. Please understand that this is not ideal for mastering the content and curriculum offered in our classes. Students may miss not more than 1.5 hours of a course and still have the class count towards their Professional Certificate, not including breaks and lunch. Attendance IS monitored in classes, both online and in the classroom, and credit is not earned if a student does not attend and participate.
I started my certificate several years ago, and some of the policies have changed since I started. Am I required to meet the new requirements?
No, under most circumstances, if a student has begun their Professional Certificate prior to the adoption or amendment of certain policies, that student is exempt from those new requirements. To check on your status, if you are a returning Certificate student, please contact the program at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , or 303-492-7438
When I started my Certificate, I was earning the Building & Energy Certificate? Can I still earn that Certificate?
No. The Building & Energy Certificate was discontinued in Fall 2010 and a year was provided for those students who wanted to finish earning their Building & Energy Certificate to complete their coursework. It is no longer possible to earn this Certificate, but contact hours earned under this Certificate can be transferred to the Sustainability Management Certificate if the 3 year expiration date has not passed. Please contact the program to discuss the matter.
I found a workshop or seminar that I would like to take that isn't a part of the Sustainable Practices program. Can I apply my coursework in this other workshop to my Certificate?
No. Workshops, courses and seminars taken outside the Sustainable Practices program may not be applied to the Professional Certificate, with the exception of 10 credit hours of coursework through the Leeds School of Business ReTOOL Professional Certificate or 10 credit hours of coursework through the Renewable and Sustainable Energy Institute (RASEI) Professional Certificate.
>> If your question or concern has not yet been answered, please contact the Program at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 303-492-7438.
