Sustainability Management Certified Professional (SMCP)
California State University, Chico, Dominican University of California, Yale University, Sustainability Management Association, Dallas College
Description
The Sustainability Management Certified Professional (SMCP) is a professional credential for sustainability practitioners. SMCP qualifies an individual's understanding of managing for sustainability and retention of the body of knowledge. Certification is best suited for business owners and managers, governmental and nonprofit managers, and sustainability coordinators.
Many organizations choose to certify their entire management team, from the human resources department to facilities management. To qualify for the SMCP, you will need two-years of verifiable professional experience as well as be exposed to a body of knowledge included in the study guide. College students or entry-level sustainability professionals with less than two years experience may qualify for the entry-level tier, the Sustainability Management Certified Associate (SMCA).
The certification examination questions are based on a compilation of well-respected practices in sustainability management. More than 60 professionals from industry, government and higher education collaborated to form the body of knowledge that should be understood in order to manage for sustainability.
Included in the certification costs of the SMCP and SMCA is membership to the Sustainability Management Association. The SMA is a global network of sustainability professionals from industry, government and higher education in 8 countries worldwide, including 20 states in the United States of America.
Learning Outcomes
Certified professionals understand and apply key sustainability methodologies, such as: Triple Bottom Line, closed loop management, life cycle assessment, life cycle costing, social responsibility, and metrics and reporting. The examination tests for key content areas, such as:
- Align business systems around values
- Plan program management to achieve results
- Reduce expenses and risks and increase revenue potential and brand reputation
- Ability to communicate sustainable strategies to internal and external stakeholders
- Knowledge of third-party certifications for environmentally preferable purchasing policies
- Build a culture of responsibility and stewardship based on the organization's values
Certified professionals will have a competitive advantage in a field that is quickly expanding as more and more organizations are hiring formal positions of authority from entry-level to the C-suite. Therefore, with the certification, you will be a step ahead of your peers and can differentiate your qualifications. Certification validates your knowledge and skills, so employers will also understand your skill set and abilities during the hiring process.