This course is specifically aimed at working professionals who desire to apply sustainable concepts to the buildings they design, develop and construct.

Students in the program attend intensive sessions one weekend a month for nine months., Through expert instructors and guest speakers, team projects, site visits to exemplary projects, and access to the latest in green building resources, the SBA course provides attendees the information they need to create buildings that are energy and resource efficient, healthy working and living environments, environmentally responsible and cost effective.

The SBA course provides students an integrated approach, tools and resources to accomplish the following:

• Identify and articulate key sustainable building practices and goals
• Analyze the costs and benefits of implementation
• Work with designers, architects, builders, operators, and utilities managers to achieve them in their projects
• Apply LEED, Built Green, and other relevant criteria and established guidelines effectively
• Take a leadership position in their organizations and communities in a rapidly growing field

At the end of the course, the students have the option to take an exam to receive the designation of Certified Sustainable Building Advisor.  This new examination identifies those individuals who have completed the educational aspects of the program and are able to take their knowledge and skills to their firms and communities.

The CSBA designation differs from LEED AP mainly because it is a larger, more encompassing knowledge base.  LEED AP primarily indicates those individuals who have successfully passed the LEED exam based on the LEED-NC (New Construction) program and reference guide.  While the LEED program is a good start to some sustainable concepts, it isn’t as broad in its teachings as the SBA Program.  The U.S. Green Building Council and LEED are components of the SBA Program, and time is spent learning about these topics.  Future requirements to maintain CSBA designations have not been determined but will need to be considered as technologies evolve.

To date over 500 professionals have completed the course and nearly 200 have taken and passed the certification exam. 

The United States Green Building Council has performed a rigorous review of the SBA course and has approved it as a 400 Level - Mastery course.

The SBA Program has also been accepted by the American Institute of Architects and other professional institutions for continuing-education hours.

The Cascadia Sustainability Academy is a new education institute providing training and certification to building professionals interested in advancing their knowledge and technical mastery of a wide-range of sustainability topics. Each of the programs in the academy provide expert instruction, high quality examinations and ultimately, certification.  Three educational programs are offered in 2008 including the Sustainable Building Advisor Program with Seattle Central Community College as the local provider.

The Academy will offer SBA students and educators increased resources, learning opportunities, and networking capabilities within the national green building community.