Learning to Be "Green"

In keeping with Phoenix College’s goal to provide programs and services to meet the needs of our diverse community, the college has developed a new academic certificate and several non-credit training courses and programs in support of environmental issues.

Environmental imageNon-credit Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) exam prep courses are being offered at the college’s PC Downtown campus to disseminate knowledge for the rapid growth of the green construction market as a remedy to both energy issues and the rising unemployment rate. Current professionals, builders, and graduates can utilize LEED exam prep courses to quickly reinvigorate their careers and share in the growing green construction market. Phoenix College offers Green training in the areas of LEED Green Associate, Energy Auditor, and Sustainable Building Advisor Program.

Given the climate we live in, an educational foundation in solar energy could build a solid career. The non-credit Photovoltaic (PV) entry level program provides students the basic knowledge, comprehension, and application of key terms and concepts as recognized by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP). Photovoltaic (PV) devices generate electricity directly from sunlight. Program graduates will have the basic knowledge of solar electricity suitable for a supervised, entry-level position with a dealer and/or installer or other PV industry company.

This semester, Phoenix College is offering a new Environmental and Natural Resources Stewardship certificate program to develop students’ knowledge and understanding of environmental and natural resource issues, problems, and policies through the study of selected courses. Students examine the ethical theories and moral principles of global environmental issues, explore methods of inquiry and the human impact on ecosystems, and human policy related to natural resources. The 19-credit certificate includes courses in public policy, biology, and environmental ethics, along with elective course covering topics such as natural history, American government, chemistry in society, and American Indians of the Southwest.

For information about non-credit “green” courses, visit www.phoenixcollege.edu/pcdtand click on “Green Training.” To learn more about the Environmental and Natural Resources Stewardship certificate program, contact Steve Thorpe, program director, at 602.285.7819.