Cincinnati State first in Ohio to offer sustainable design certificate

Cincinnati State has announced that it will offer Ohio’s first Sustainable Design and Construction Certificate to prepare builders and architects to build environmentally friendly homes.

The certificate is based on the United States Green Building Council’s LEED program, a voluntary national building standard addressing sustainability that includes such things as water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality.

Believed to be the third of its kind in the United States, the program will help prepare professionals to pass the LEED Accredited Professional exam, making them skilled in navigating the LEED certification process.

The program is 47 credit hours, at a cost of $80.20 per credit hour.

Classes begin this fall.

At a recent press conference, Cincinnati City Councilmember Chris Bortz said that the certificate corresponds with local efforts like the LEED Community Reinvestment Area tax exemption program and the GO Cincinnati initiative.

In the past year, Cincinnati State has launched a number of programs and certificates geared toward preparing Ohioans for the growing demand for professionals proficient in environmental and renewable energy topics, including a Renewable Energy major offered through its Center for Innovative Technologies.

Writer: Kevin LeMaster
Source: Media release
Photography by Scott Beseler
Sculpture on Cincinnati State Campus