2023-2024

Greenhouse Gas Accounting, Graduate Certificate

School of Earth and Sustainability

College of the Environment, Forestry, and Natural Sciences

This online certificate program will provide you with the technical skills required to quantify, report, analyze and verify greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with individual products or commodities, business operations, and entire organizations such as cities or Universities. It will also provide training in how to use reported GHG emissions to design effective emission reduction and mitigation strategies. Given the scale and challenges of climate change and the associated impacts, there is a strong need for professionals with the skills to track, report, and manage GHG emissions. This certificate provides that training.

    • Graduate certificate programs require a minimum of 12 credit hours. Many graduate certificate programs require more than 12 credit hours.
    • No more than one 400-level NAU course (3 - 4 units) may be used on a graduate certificate program.
    • No more than twenty-five percent of the units required for the certificate program may be transferred from another university.
    • A 400-level course (undergraduate course) completed at another university is not eligible for transfer credit.
    • A minimum grade point average of 3.0 must be achieved to obtain a graduate certificate. No more than three units of coursework with a Grade of "C" may be used in a certificate program.
    • A graduate student may pursue a graduate certificate concurrently with a graduate degree. Each graduate degree program must decide which, if any, certificate courses can be counted toward the graduate degree.
    • Students who are admitted to a graduate certificate program will be eligible for the official posting of the graduate certificate to their transcripts when all applicable coursework has been successfully completed and approved by the academic unit and the Graduate College.

  • Please be aware that federal financial aid is not available for some certificates if the certificate is pursued and completed as a stand-alone certificate (i.e., not completed concurrently with a degree program).  See the “Details” tab for additional information.

In addition to University Requirements:

  • Complete individual plan requirements.

Students may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement. Contact your advisor for details.

Minimum Units for Completion 12
Some online/blended coursework Required

Purpose Statement

Currently, there are over 40 developed and developing countries that have mandatory emission reporting programs, with many others voluntarily reporting their emissions. Regardless of the nature of these reporting practices, entities and nations are increasingly moving towards quantifying and reporting their GHG emissions as a step towards proactive risk management, improving their energy efficiency, and/or demonstrating their commitment to environmental issues. This online certificate program will provide students and professionals with a means to gain technical skills required to quantify, report, analyze and verify GHG emissions associated with individual products or commodities, business/corporation operations, and communities, including cities and Universities. It will also train individuals in how to use reported GHG emissions to design effective emission reduction and mitigation strategies. Given the scale and challenges of climate change and the associated impacts, there is a strong need for professionals with a robust skillset to track, report, and manage GHG emissions. This certificate will provide that training.

Student Learning Outcomes
 

  • Identify, manage, and track activity data for greenhouse gas emission calculations, and apply and/or derive appropriate emission factors for that activity data.
  • Quantify and report greenhouse gas emissions associated with individual products or commodities, business/corporation operations, and communities using appropriate protocols and standards.
  • Verify the greenhouse gas emissions reported by others using recognized standards and procedures.
  • Use reported GHG emissions, together with appropriate economic metrics, to design and justify effective emission management, reduction, and mitigation strategies. 
  • Communicate findings of greenhouse gas inventory, emission trends over time, and/or emission reduction recommendations using multiple methods such as written reports, professional presentations, or oral/written press releases.

Graduate Admission Information

  • The NAU graduate online application is required for all programs. Admission to many graduate programs is on a competitive basis, and programs may have higher standards than those established by the Graduate College.

    Admission requirements include the following:

    • Transcripts.
    • Undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution with a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale ("A" = 4.0), or the equivalent.


    Visit the NAU Graduate Admissions website for additional information about graduate school application deadlines, eligibility for study, and admissions policies.

    Ready to apply? Begin your application now.

    International applicants have additional admission requirements. Please see the International Graduate Admissions Policy.

Certificate Requirements

  • This certificate may be pursued and completed concurrently with a degree program or as a stand-alone certificate. Under both circumstances, federal financial aid can be used for this certificate.

Additional Information

  • Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also successfully complete. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.