University of South Carolina
PAE-21: Sustainability in Continuing Education

The Continuing Education Unit at the University of South Carolina offers individual courses relating to sustainability as well as certification programs. The relevant certification programs include the Lean Six Sigma Green Belt and Black Belt Certifications,BPI Energy Auditor Certification (including BPI Analyst certification, Building Analyst Certificate, and Envelope-Shell certification), and a LEED Accreditation & Credential Maintenance Program. Below is a brief description of each program. BPI ENERGY AUDITOR PROGRAM We train and certify residential energy efficiency professionals using specialized testing equipment including blower doors, carbon monoxide and combustion gas testers. Our energy auditor training offers professional certification from the nation’s leading home performance standard – the Building Performance Institute (BPI). USC's BPI Energy Auditor Program is WIA approved. The BPI Analyst certification in conjunction with the Envelope certification will qualify companies to apply for Accreditation (if the company is in an industry field, i.e. insulation, weatherization, window installation company etc.). Building Analyst Certificate This low-cost training program can bring companies new business for years to come. By using building science technology to help customers solve heating, cooling and air leakage problems that are driving high energy costs, you’ll also provide them with a more comfortable, safe and durable home. With this training, you will gain the building science knowledge and practical skills that benefit business and help the community to become more energy efficient. Envelope-Shell Certificate This course is a residential specialization that focuses on ways to enhance the envelope's thermal and pressure boundaries through insulation and airsealing techniques. Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certificate Earn your Green Belt in just one month with USC’s online format. Our program consists of 40 hours of online training (20 hours of self-paced and 20 hours of live online instructor-led sessions) conveniently scheduled during evening hours. As a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, you will support organizational change through project management, communication and technical process improvement. You will be able to quantify deliverables to an organization in terms of cost, quality, and cycle time and safety improvements. Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Certificate In two months, you can earn your Black Belt. Our program includes 80 hours of online training (40 hours self-paced and 40 hours of live online instructor-led sessions). Offered during evening hours, these sessions can fi t easily into your busy professional schedule. You will work on an independent project, improving a process within your own organization. As a certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, you will demonstrate that you are trained in advanced problem solving and the statistical tools needed to effectively lead process improvement. LEED Green Associate and LEED AP with Specialty There are only approximately 1,000 credentialed professionals in the State of South Carolina. USC has trained over 100 and our instructors have trained thousands! Our LEED exam prep courses include a complete review of LEED credits, hundreds of simulated exam questions, a practice exam, worksheets and strategies for passing the exam. These courses also provide practical skills that can be applied in LEED projects once you've acquired the necessary LEED credential. Ideal for architects, lawyers, builders, engineers, real estate brokers and anyone interested in understanding green building principles. Our 2-day exam prep courses supplement individual preparation for anyone interested in passing the LEED Professional Accreditation exams. After an introduction to the exam format and computer based testing, you receive an overview of how the LEED rating system works. You explore an in-depth analysis of each of the credits within the rating systems as you need to know them for the test. After the class, you will understand what you need to study independently in order to succeed on the exam. Sample questions and credit summary sheets are presented and discussed throughout the course. LEED Green Associate Bootcamp This 2-day course is for anyone interested in passing the LEED Green Associate Exam. After an introduction to the exam format and computer based testing, we will provide an overview of how the LEED rating system works. You will discover an in-depth analysis of each of the credits within the rating system as you need to know them for the test. Additionally, we will explain what you need to study after leaving this class to maximize your opportunity for success on the exam. Sample questions and credit summary sheets will be presented and discussed throughout the course and online review materials will guide your individual preparation for the exam. This LEED GA exam prep course includes a complete review of LEED credits, hundreds of simulated exam questions, a practice exam, worksheets and strategies for passing the exam. Ideal for architects, lawyers, builders, engineers, real estate brokers and anyone interested in understanding green building principles. Held on the campus of the University of South Carolina in Columbia, SC, the course is instructed by LEED Green Associate and LEED AP professionals from, Everblue Training Institute, an official education provider for the US Green Building Council. In addition to preparing for the LEED Green Associate exam, participants will receive University of South Carolina Continuing Education Units as official documentation of their hours of participation. LEED AP Bootcamp- Building Design and Construction This 2-day course supplements individual preparation for anyone interested in passing the LEED Accredited Professional exam for Building Design and Construction. After an introduction to the exam format and computer based testing, we will provide an overview of how the LEED rating system works. You will discover an in-depth analysis of each of the credits within the rating system as you need to know them for the test. Additionally, we will explain what you need to study after leaving this class to maximize your opportunity for success on the exam. Sample questions and credit summary sheets will be presented and discussed throughout the course.