The Green Business Management program at Algonquin College is the first of its kind in Canada. The unique curriculum and delivery method emphasizes the eco-logic and economic relationships among business, organizations, planet, people and communities.
Note: This program will be offered in September 2012
Starting Fall 2012: This is a Mobile Learning Program.
As a student in this program you will require a mobile computing device, for example a laptop or tablet computer. Review the Mobile Requirements >>
- Ontario College Graduate Certificate
- 1 Year(s)
- Program Code:
- 1304X01FWO
- Academic Year:
- 2011/2012
Our Program
This one-year Ontario College Graduate Certificate program is the first of its kind in Canada. The program prepares students to become "green" business leaders and agents of change in the new green economic paradigm of People, Planet and Profit.The unique curriculum and delivery method emphasizes the eco-logic and eco-nomic relationships among business, organizations, planet, people and communities. This program is ideally suited for individuals who are passionate about the environment, who currently own or manage an enterprise, entrepreneurs about to start a business or who are looking at green strategies for market advantage, government workers who are interested in greening their agency/workplace and environmentalists looking for work in the growing area of best green business practices.
This two-term, Full-time program is comprised of 20 hours of class time per week, including 10 hours of in-class courses and 10 hours of online courses.
Students design corporate ecological vision and mission statements, modelling corporate social responsibility and environmental responsibility for a future or existing business. Students create, analyze and implement personal, and corporate energy audits and develop criteria for green business report cards for an actual local business or organization. Students create green business ideas capitalizing on current green consumer trends and (green) business opportunities.
Students gain an understanding of the significance of the principles of deep ecology and Gaia consciousness as they pertain to one's core values. Students also learn the importance of nature as mentor, model and measure, as indicated through biomimicry. Students participate in relevant field work and client visits and engage with leading industry specialists, green business owners and other community leaders in sustainability.
Graduates assist businesses/organizations to assess, strategize, plan, lead and implement sustainable business practices. In addition, graduates identify and effectively communicate ways to green a supply chain and to incorporate the cradle-to-cradle supply chain model into a business or organization. Graduates are able to recommend a specific green marketing mix for the private and public sector. Graduates can effectively communicate the business case for sustainability to the public, employees, employers and other stakeholders. Graduates, as ecopreneurs, have the knowledge, skills and abilities to create a formal green business plan that includes a detailed green marketing, green operational and green financial plan for a green business opportunity of choice.
SUCCESS FACTORS
This program is well-suited for students who:
- Are driven to act on their passion and concern for the environment by incorporating sustainability components into a current or future workplace or business.
- Are interested in learning the business skills needed to become a green business leader.
- Recognize the benefits of participating in innovative learning environments.
- Possess excellent time-management, communication, organization and computer skills.
- Have work experience in business, management or other relevant professional background.
- Have strong critical-thinking skills together with the desire to implement new models of sustainability for any workplace/organization..
- Appreciate working in a cooperative learning environment.
- Face business/organizational challenges as opportunities. . Are enthusiastic and motivated to lead and affect transformational change.
- Are creative and innovative thinkers.
- Perform well individually and in teams.
- Believe that they can personally impact positive change in the workplace.
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Your Career
Employment opportunities may exist in a variety of "green-collar" private sector and public sector organizations, including, such roles assustainability coordinator, environmental auditor, green procurement officer, alternative strategies developer, and sales of products and services that are "green" (organic, natural, clean and sustainable).
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Courses
Programs at Algonquin College are delivered using a variety of instruction modes. Courses may be offered in the classroom or lab, entirely online, or in a hybrid mode which combines classroom sessions with online learning activities. Upon registration, each full-time student is provided an Algonquin email account which is used to communicate important information about program or course events.| Level: 01 | Hours | |
| MGT1011 | The Green Movement This course is designed to introduce students to the historical timeline of the Green Movement, including the beliefs and lifestyles of early Indigenous populations, a review of the grassroots movements that characterized the decades of the 60s and 70s, to the Green Movement of today, and its impact on ecology and all sectors of society. Students learn communication, analytical, and critical-thinking skills required to utilize Green and sustainability language, to be agents of change in not-for-profit, non-governmental organizations, business entrepreneurs, industry and government. Students analyze change management issues facing organizations transitioning to sustainable business practices. Students learn to communicate and advocate personal and corporate advantages of reducing one's ecological footprint in all sectors. | 68.0 |
| MGT1012 | Ecology of Business With a focus on the effective communication of ecological concepts and principles to unfamiliar audiences, students explore the relationship between nature, its cycles and sustainable business models. Through a review of influential works of environmental pioneers, students develop a solid foundation in the ideas that inform the evolution of sustainability on ecological principles. Students analyze differences between traditional economic models and current models of sustainability. Practical assignments in the incorporation of nature's lessons for sustainable business and bio-mimicry models of sustainable business practices into plans for a current or future business or workplace round out the course work. | 60.0 |
| MGT1013 | Green Business Practices Sustainable businesses take responsibility for the effects they have on the natural world. Through this course, students learn foundational skills to become tomorrow's Green business leaders. Students explore the principles, values, and best business practices of industry leaders in a wide array of sectors, including construction, transportation, manufacturing, food production and distribution. Students familiarize themselves with industry and association standards, current Green certification processes and sustainable business practices. Case studies and guest speakers provide students with the knowledge to Green the supply chain of a current or future business or workplace. | 60.0 |
| MGT1014 | Eco-Efficiency in the Workplace I In this course, students develop the knowledge and skills to implement a personal energy audit. Through case studies, field work, and independent research students also acquire the language, framework and tools necessary to complete a corporate Green business report card. Students research the growing field of "green-collar" career opportunities, and environmental stewardship, in addition to the incentive programs, loans and grants available to improve energy efficiency. Students define and design change management strategies for clients in transition to sustainable business practices. | 68.0 |
| MGT1015 | Ecopreneurship What's your Green business idea? With a focus on Green business development, this course highlights the knowledge and skills for ecopreneurs who are starting a business, those who are looking at Green strategies for market advantage, or environmentalists looking at the growing area of environmental business or ecology. Students outline and define the framework required to launch any start-up enterprise that promotes sustainable practices and meets a market demand for green products or services. Analyzing Green market trends through a variety of approaches, including class presentations from successful business ecopreneurs, students determine market opportunities for a business idea with a physical ('bricks') or web-based ('clicks') presence. | 68.0 |
| Level: 02 | Hours | |
| MGT1016 | Corporate Social Responsibility and Business Ethics Using cutting-edge analysis of critical issues in the field of corporate social responsibility (CSR), students examine the ethical challenges of integrating corporate social responsibility strategies and sustainable business practices into mainstream corporate culture. Students identify personal and professional core ethical beliefs, current practices of CSR in the workplace, and their impact on people and planet. Through case studies, online surveys, and other activities, students critically assess corporate culture, change management issues, ethical leadership and decision making. Co-requisites: MGT1019 | 60.0 |
| MGT1017 | Eco-Efficiency in the Workplace II Students develop marketable skills in the growing career sector of "Green-collar" careers, sustainability coordinators, and green business managers. Students engage in field work with industry experts, and liaise with a community business or non-governmental organization. Students perform an energy audit and Green report card, and communicate the environmental and cost-saving benefits of becoming an eco-efficient workplace. Students conclude the course with a presentation of audit findings and recommendations to a business owner, non-governmental organization or industry specialist. Prerequisites: MGT1014 | 70.0 |
| MGT1018 | Global Sustainable Business Practices This course adds a global dimension to a student's repertoire of Green Business management tools. Students examine complex environmental, social and economic drivers for sustainability in business. With consideration of the impact of globalization on a variety of species, the planet and humanity, students research business management tools that support global leadership in achieving sustainable business goals, such as performance measurement evaluators. Students develop and use assessment and measurement tools that enable sustainable business practice recommendations. Prerequisites: MGT1013 and MGT1015 Co-requisites: MGT1016 and MGT1019 | 60.0 |
| MGT1019 | Green Business Plan Applied In this capstone course, students create a professional business plan that meets the highest industry standards and is ready for submission to a lending institution. Students proudly and confidently present viable business plans, including marketing, and operational plans and a three-year financial plan to industry specialists in their industry of choice. Successful completion of this course is a rite of passage into the Green business world. Prerequisites: MGT1012 and MGT1013 and MGT1014 and MGT1015 | 64.0 |
| MKT1020 | Green Marketing and Consumerism This course focuses on the relationship between consumerism, marketing and ecology. In this course, students examine the role of advertising, personal selling, and sales promotion from a traditional 'four pillar - 4Ps' perspective and develop creative and innovative strategies to shift to an operational perspective that has a 'five pillar' focus: Product, Price, Place, Promotion and Planet. Emphasizing the environmental benefits and the corporate market advantage of Green marketing and consumerism, students create a Green marketing plan blueprint (greenprint!) for a business, government or non-governmental organization (NGO). Students analyze the impact of consumer behaviour on local and global ecology, and use principles of ethical marketing and consumerism to become Green marketers, who steward sustainable marketing in business. Prerequisites: MGT1013 and MGT1015 Co-requisites: MGT1019 | 68.0 |
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Fees & Expenses
Approximate Program CostsTuition Fees: $ 4,164
Books/Supplies: $ 1,000
Incidental Fees: $ 0
Total: $ 5,164
Tuition Fees listed are in effect for the 2011-2012 academic year.
Tuition Fees: $1,714.61 per term.
Information Technology Fee: $62 per term. *
Student Activity/Sports Fee: $190.50 per term.
Student Centre Building Fee: $17.50 per term.
Health Service Fee: $10 per term.
Health Plan Fee: $114.50 paid once annually. **
A $35 graduation fee is payable in the final term.
A $25 transcript fee is payable in the first term a student attends Algonquin College.
International Students pay all relevant Canadian fees plus an International Premium of $3,600 per term.
* Students paying the Information Technology fee are provided with a network account, an email address, and Internet access. For more information please visit our website at www.algonquincollege.com/its/services/it_fee.htm
** Students who have coverage with another plan can request a refund by supplying the Students' Association with documentation supporting the
request. This request will have to be made annually.
Estimated cost per level for books is $500. Students may or may not purchase all books from the campus bookstore. This is at their discretion, as they may elect to be environmental and purchase used books when available.
Field trip expenses are approximately $600.
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Admission Requirements
- College diploma or degree, university diploma or degree in areas of business, marketing, social services, communications, hospitality management, tourism and travel, environmental studies, vocational trades, public relations, event management or equivalent.
Qualified applicants, who do not have a business-related diploma or degree will be sent the Green Business Management Eligibility Package via mail. Applicants will be required to complete and return the following three components:
1. A letter of intent, which requires the applicant to state their previous experience related to business, their program expectations and what skills,
knowledge and attitudes they bring to the program
2. Applicant's Curriculum Vitae
3. Copy of applicant's transcript
Please contact the Program Coordinator for more information.
Applicants with International transcripts must provide proof of a TOEFLiBT score with at least a total score of 90, with the following minimum section requirements: Reading: 21; Listening: 20; Speaking: 27; Writing: 22;
Computer-based test: 250; Paper-based test: 600.
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Application Information
Applications to full-time day programs must be submitted with official transcripts showing completion of the academic admission requirements through:ontariocolleges.ca
60 Corporate Court
Guelph, Ontario
N1G 5J3
1-888-892-2228
Applications are available online at ontariocolleges.ca. A $95 fee applies.
Applications for Fall Term, Winter Term and Spring Term admission received by February 1 will be given equal consideration. Applications received after February 1 will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis as long as places are available.
International applicants applying from out-of-country can obtain the
International Student Application Form at
https://xweb.algonquincollege.com/FormIE/index.aspx or by contacting the Registrar's Office.
For further information on the admissions process, contact:
Registrar's Office
Algonquin College
1385 Woodroffe Ave, Room C150
Ottawa, ON K2G 1V8
Telephone: 613-727-0002
Toll-free: 1-800-565-4723
TTY: 613-727-7766
Fax: 613-727-7632
Email: askalgonquin@algonquincollege.com
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Additional Information
For more information, please contact Claude Lloyd, Program Coordinator, at 613-727-4723 ext. 3563 or lloydc@algonquincollege.com.Back to Top
Awards & Bursaries
The Tallyho Bursary is awarded to a student in financial need, and who has good academic standing, attendance and participation.
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