Certificate Program in Sustainable Building and Design

Yestermorrow has been teaching ways to reduce global and local ecological impacts by creating environmentally responsive and sustainable architecture. Our Certificate in Sustainable Building and Design provides students with a solid grounding in sustainable design principles, along with hands-on experience in the design/build process.

Ranging from community-scale planning to the details of photovoltaic installation, the certificate covers a broad spectrum of topics from small to large scale. Balancing theory with hands-on practice, students have the opportunity to explore alternative, innovative, and experimental design and building methodologies and materials. Our Certificate in Sustainable Building and Design is designed for those wishing to learn the art of design/build while developing a strong understanding of the concepts and methods of green design.

The certificate curriculum include a three week Core Curriculum, two additional weeks of elective courses, four weekends of elective workshops, and a Practicum project and presentation. Students must begin the program with the Core Curriculum (offered three times a year). After completion of the Core Curriculum, one can participate in the electives as classes are available and as one's schedule permits. With careful planning some participants could complete the program within four-to-six months, while others might chip away at it over several years.

The tuition cost for the Certificate in Sustainable Building and Design program is $4200.  Students can also take and pay for classes individually, and pay an extra $300 fee for the Certificate, which includes supervision of the practicum project. Courses within the curriculum that have already been completed can be utilized retroactively toward the Certificate.

Core Curriculum (required)

Ecological Design in the Built Environment (3 weeks)

Elective Courses (choose 2 weeks)

Constructed Wetlands for Wastewater Treatment

Deconstruction and Material Re-Use

Edible Forest Gardens

Green Roof Design and Installation

Introduction to Cob Building

Microhydro: Home Scale Water Power Systems

Natural Building in Costa Rica (2 weeks)

Natural Design/Build (2 weeks)

Natural Plasters and Finishes

Permaculture Design Certification (2 weeks)

Put the Fab Back in Pre-Fab

Regenerative Design & Development

Root Cellar Design/Build

Sustainable Communities of the Future

Strawbale Design/Build

Sustainable Treehouse Design and Construction

Timberframing

Weekend Workshops (choose 4)

Biofuels

Do-It-Yourself Home Energy Audit

Ecological Water Systems

Efficiency by Design

Energy Efficient Heating & Cooling

Green Building Materials

Green Development Best Practices

Greenhouse Design/Build

Green Remodeling

Invisible Structures: Strategies Beyond Building Green

Landscape Design

Natural Paints and Finishes

Rain Garden Design

Redesigning Wastewater

Solar Design

Super-Insulation for Zero Net-Energy Homes

Thinking Like a Mountain

Urban Regeneration

Wind Power: From Energy Portfolio to Your Site

Practicum
Students enrolled in the Certificate Program will be expected, with the support of an advisor, to participate in a Practicum project and presentation after finishing the full curriculum.  This culminating activity will provide the student with the opportunity to document his/her theoretical and practical knowledge and skills in the area of Sustainable Building and Design in a hands-on manner before a jury of professional architects and builders. 

The scope, topic and form of the Practicum and Presentation are to be determined by the student and advisor, depending upon the skills, interests, and focus of the student. Advisors should be selected, regardless of geographic location, based on the best fit between their professional experience and the student's area of interest. Advisors can be chosen from the following list of Yestermorrow instructors:

Rick Ames
Mike Blazewicz
Mark Chalom
Jamie Duggan
Andrew Faust
Buzz Ferver
Keith Giamportone
Ben Graham
Jillian Hovey
Mark Krawczyk
Keith Morris
Meaghan Pierce-Delaney
Jacob Racusin
Tim Rieth
Robert Riversong

Registration

Registration is simple. Just call our office at 802-496-5545. We'll need basic contact information and a deposit (at minimum) to secure your place in the program (see below). We'll also discuss lodging and meal options with you when you call (at additional cost).

Tuition

The tuition cost for the Certificate program is $4200.  Students can also take classes individually, and pay an extra $300 fee for the certificate, which includes supervision of the practicum project.

Payment Options

Option 1: The Package Deal

A $1000 deposit will secure your place in the program and reserve spaces in any classes within the program listed in our current course schedule. Upon receipt of the initial deposit, a member of the Yestermorrow staff will meet with you, either in person or over the phone, to come up with a course plan and schedule. Once your certificate course plan is in place, the remainder of the tuition ($3,200) is due two weeks before the start of the first course. If you have applied for a work trade scholarship, we will schedule the work when we complete your course plan (see below).

Option 2: Pay As You Go

Tuition: Depends on the class (typically $300/weekend, $750/week, and $1400/2-week)

Deposits: $100 for each weekend class, $300 per week-long class, and $500 per 2-week class.

This option allows you to pay as you go for each class in the certificate program. Tuition is due at least 2 weeks before the start of each course, and early payment and multiple registration discounts can be applied. At the completion of the course requirements, an additional $300 fee is required for supervision of the Practicum project to complete the certificate. All work trade hours must be complete before the start of the course they are to be applied towards (see below).

Program Withdrawal Policy

If withdrawing completely from the Certificate Program, a $500 cancellation fee is charged and the balance, minus the cost of completed classes, will be refunded.

Certificate Course Cancellation and Transfer Policy

If withdrawing completely from a certificate course less than two weeks prior to the start date, the entire course tuition is forfeited.   If transferring to another certificate course, a $25 transfer fee is charged. If transferring to another course less than two weeks prior to the start date, a $100 transfer fee is charged.

Scholarships and Work Trade

Yestermorrow offers a number of scholarship opportunities for students. Our goal is to make our classes affordable for everyone who is interested. Work trade credit is calculated at $10 per hour of work on campus, and must be completed prior to the start of the class to which it is applied. The maximum amount of work trade which can be applied to Certificate Program tuition is 100 hours, or $1000. Click here to download a Work Trade Application.

We encourage all scholarship students to participate in our work trade program, although we have limited funds available (in the form of tuition grants) for people who can demonstrate that work trade is not a viable or adequate option for them. Click here to learn more about our Scholarship Program. (Please note: these funds are dedicated for classes ending prior to October 1, 2009.)

Vermont Residents

Residents of the State of Vermont may be eligible for assistance through the Vermont Student Assistance Corporation (VSAC) Non-Degree Grant Program. The application process takes two weeks to a month, and funds are limited. Please contact VSAC in Winooski, VT at 800-642-3177 for more information.