Frequently Asked Questions
- Q: How do I enroll?
A: Registration for all classes is done through the School of Extended Education. Students can register by mail, by phone at 707-664-2394, by fax at 707-644-2613, in person, or online at www.sonoma.edu/greenbuilding. Forms and instructions are also available in each semester’s course catalog, online at www.sonoma.edu/exed, or by calling 707-664-2394.
- Q: How much does it cost?
A: Tuition for all six modules in the program is listed in the document called “Program Overview,” which is available online. The total cost for all six modules is $1,955 for in-class students or $2,250 for online students.
- Q: Do I have to pay for the whole program at once or when is payment due?
A: Students may register and pay for only those classes offered each semester. We can not accept pre-payment for future classes. You may register with one registration form and payment, for all classes offered in a semester at one time, or submit a registration form and payment for each class one at a time to spread out the cost.
- Q: Can I enroll late? Is there a penalty?
A: Late registration is accepted on a case by case basis. Please call the Enrollment Coordinator, Marcia Harrigan at 707-664-3011 or email at greenbuilding@sonoma.edu. There is a $25.00 late fee for each class.
- Q: How much is parking and where is it in relationship to the building?
A: Parking on campus is normally $2.50 per vehicle per day. All classes in the Green Building Certificate Program, however, are held on Saturdays when parking is free in Lot D, which is several hundred feet from the Environmental Technology Center where all classes are held.
- Q: How long do I have to complete the program?
A: In order to be eligible for a Certificate, students must complete all Program requirements within a period of two years (24 months) from the date of the first class session that they attend.
- Q: When is the final Project due?
A: Most students begin the program in January and complete the program in December of that year. In this scenario, student projects are submitted at the last class session, in December. The ultimate deadline for submitting student projects is the same two year period within which all requirements must be completed.
- Q: What type of Final Exam is it?
A: The Final Exam tests student’s knowledge of the whole broad range of topics covered throughout the program. For both in-class students and online students, the Final Exam is given at the beginning of the last class session in December. The exam consists of (100) true/false and multiple-choice questions and is given “open-book.” Students have two hours within which to complete the Exam.
- Q: How is the class graded?
A: To be awarded the Certificate of Completion, students must earn 70% of available points. Students earning 90% and above of available points will be awarded a Certificate with Distinction. Each of the Program components has a point value, as listed below:
· Class sessions: attendance is mandatory, class participation not graded.
· Student project: 200 points
· Final exam: 150 points
· Quizzes and other homework assignments: 100 points
- Q: What happens if I have to miss a class? How do I make class meetings up?
A: Students are allowed to make up to two missed classes per program period by viewing the video archive that is posted on the www.sonoma.edu/greenbuilding website by month. Students must write and submit electronically to the program administrator a 3-5 page summary of the day's activities as viewed on the video archive. The summary must be completed no later than two weeks after the missed class session. If a student misses more than two classes in a program period, then he or she must register and attend the following year's same class session(s).
- Q: What is “Green Building”?
A: Green Building is the weaving together of many disparate energy-efficient, resource-efficient, and people-friendly practices in the design and construction of our buildings. Unlike many disciplines, Green Building integrates the understanding of many different disciplines and offers a comprehensive approach to making buildings, communities, developments, and businesses more profitable, healthier, more productive, and more environmentally friendly.
- Q: What types of careers are available in Green Building field?
A: As ‘Green’ proliferates and becomes more of an operating standard within the world of mainstream business and government, the demand across the spectrum of disciplines for individuals with a broad understanding of Green principles and practices grows apace. Like the U.S. Green Building Council which is comprised of ‘industry stakeholders,’ including product manufacturers and salespeople, educators, realtors, architects, engineers, scientists, regulators and many others, our program speaks to a broad range of interests.
- Q: What are the current graduates now doing?
A: Some graduates continue to pursue their careers as architects, interior designers, builders, contractors, engineers, planners, building inspectors, and others. Many use the program as a springboard to launch careers in new directions.
- Q: Would I be able to be a Green Building consultant with just the Certificate alone?
A: No, the subject matter is simply too broad to be covered entirely within the available classroom hours. But many students have used the education they received in the Green Building Professional Certificate Program in conjunction with other educational and/or work experience to qualify for new positions as Green Building program coordinators and Green Building consultants.
- Q: Are both instructors present in class?
A: Yes, both core faculty members are present at every class session.
- Q: What is the background of the instructors?
A: Bruce Hammond is a licensed General Building contractor and runs a small construction company, Hammond Fine Homes, which specializes in deeply green residential and small commercial projects. In addition to his several decades of work experience, he is a co-founder and past Chair of the local Chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council, and has served as a member of the Design Review Board and Planning Commission in Cotati, California. - Q: How large are the classes?
A: Typical enrollment is between 50 and 70 in-class students, with another 5 to 10 online students.
- Q: What is the difference between the Construction Management and Green Building programs?
A: The Construction Management Program is designed to provide trained managers and supervisors for the construction industry. Its focus is on the business aspects of construction. The Green Building Professional Program presents an integrated approach to design and construction strategies that result in the reduced demand for critical natural resources.
- Q: What is the certification I can use on my business card and letterhead? How do I get it?
- Q: What is the LEED certification and how do I obtain it?
A: LEED “Certification” is awarded to buildings. LEED “Accreditation” is awarded to individuals who demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of Green Building and the LEED Rating System(s). The LEED Accredited Professional (“LEED-AP”) exam is an online exam offered only through the U.S. Green Building Council. - Q: I don't have a background in construction or landscape design. Will this program help me to go into green building sales?
- Q: Will a Certificate prepare me to take the Green Advantage Environmental Certification Exam? How about the LEED-AP Exam?
A: Individuals who complete the Green Building Professional Certificate Program are well-prepared to take the Green Advantage Exam, which is a national certification exam targeted toward building-industry practitioners. [See www.greenadvantage.org] Our program is an authorized training program for that Exam. The LEED-AP Exam, however, is a slightly different matter. While our program is organized according to the structure of LEED, our year-long program presents a much broader and more in-depth understanding than what is required to take and pass the LEED-NC Exam. We would strongly recommend that Certificate holders who wish to become LEED-accredited undertake a limited amount of additional study focused on the understanding of individual LEED credits (the criteria underlying the individual LEED credits, how to satisfy those credits, synergies between credits, etc.]. This additional study time can be accomplished either self-paced or within small study groups. We suggest that individuals contact their local Chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council. [See www.usgbc.org and click on the 'Chapters' tab]
- Q: How do I get a reader for the class (hard copy of collection of articles used as the text in class)?
A: The Reader is available from Digi-Type, a printing and copy shop across East
Cotati Avenue from campus. You can call them at 527-0837 or go to their
website: www.digi-type.com. Ask for The Reader for the Green Building
Certificate Program.
Pete Gang is a licensed architect and former General Building contractor whose design practice focuses exclusively on deeply green residential and small commercial projects. He is a co-founder of the local Chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council and has taught hands-on classes and workshops and spoken to audiences on topics of natural and Green Building since 1996.
Mr. Hammond and Mr. Gang were part of the first semester-long Green Building Design and Construction class, offered at Sonoma State University, in 2003 and have continued as core faculty with the Green Building Professional Certificate Program since then.
A: Certificate holders are entitled to use the letters "SSU-GBAP" (Sonoma State University−Green Building Accredited Professional) following their names.
Our program is loosely organized in accordance with the LEED-NC rating system, but imparts a much more comprehensive understanding of Green Building. Students who successfully complete our program should be able to pass the LEED-AP Exam with only a limited amount of targeted preparation.
A: The short answer is yes!
Green Building is a big bundle of ideas, concepts, and strategies. The Green Building Professional Certificate Program provides a broad understanding of the many individual topics that are woven together under the heading of Green Building as well as a solid grounding in the background context and perceptual basis for Green Building. Our graduates are well grounded and ready to speak with clients and buyers with confidence and enthusiasm.