Certificate in Sustainable Business

This set of courses provides students with skills, experiences, and knowledge that enable them to effectively analyze and address the opportunities, challenges, and complexities of achieving more sustainable and resilient business operations. Topics addressed in the certificate curriculum include fundamentals of sustainability science; evaluation of sustainability options and initiatives; business regulation and reporting environment; sustainability as a business strategy; environmental and social impacts of supply chain management and operational decisions and practices; circular and reverse logistics; differences in global, regional, and industrial perspectives; management of business risk, resilience and continuity; business ethics; and corporate social responsibility. Courses introduce students to a number of analytical tools and active learning engagements including tours, case analyses, and projects.

The certificate is open to both Neeley and non-Neeley TCU students. A minimum GPA of 3.25 is necessary to apply, and a minimum grade of C+ must be earned in all certificate courses in order for it to be awarded. All coursework counted as part of the certificate must be completed at TCU.

Curriculum

The curriculum design maximizes active student learning opportunities along with engagement of business partners, recruiters, and alumni.  The curriculum includes 9 hours of course work combining 2 new courses with an elective choice from existing sustainability courses located in departments across TCU.

The courses include:

INSC 30523: Managing for Sustainable Business (new course).
Course educational objectives:

1. Discuss the history of sustainability in business and project its evolution
2. Understand the key sustainability reporting frameworks for sustainability; distinguish their appropriate use to considerations of companies and industries
3. Identify relevant stakeholders; design and assess plans and tactics for their engagement
4. Evaluate sustainability support structures for business – metrics, models and management systems
5. Demonstrate appropriate application of key concepts of materiality, credibility and assurance in analyzing reporting requirements and designing sustainability reporting strategy and plan
6. Evaluate the responsibilities of governments, companies and global institutions in sustainability initiatives
7. Using the above skills, textbook and readings, case studies and in-class speakers, evaluate sustainability’s role in corporate strategies and develop sustainability-based strategies
8. Apply knowledge to team projects and individual assignments

INSC 30513: Sustainable Supply Chain Management (new course).
Course objectives:

1. Define and explain the concept of sustainable supply chain management
2. Understand the economic, environmental, and social dimensions of sustainability in supply chains
3. Analyze the key drivers and motivations for adopting sustainable supply chain practices
4. Evaluate the environmental impact of supply chain operations and identify opportunities for improvement
5. Assess social and ethical considerations in supply chain decision-making
6. Analyze the economic implications of sustainable supply chain strategies
7. Develop strategies for sustainable sourcing, logistics, and operations
8. Apply sustainability principles to supplier relationship management
9. Understand the role of technology and innovation in sustainable supply chains

In addition to these two courses students will select one elective from the approved list of existing courses shown below. Each course number is hyperlinked to the TCU course catalog description.

All course-specific prerequisites must still be met.

Courses outside of Neeley:

Neeley courses:

For more information contact Professor Morgan Swink, m.swink@tcu.edu