The Graduate Certificate in Sustainable Financial Management in the Outdoor Industry is designed to provide the essential concepts, theories, and practices relevant to sustainable finance and accounting in the Outdoor Industry. The certificate focuses on industry-specific content to enable professionals to advance their skills in assessing and managing the financial health of organizations in the outdoor industry. The coursework engages professionals with content related to financial, ethical, and environmental accounting issues and frameworks, financial decision-making theory and practice, financial analysis and forecasting, risk management, capital budgeting, sustainable finance, economic, environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues, and alternative financing arrangements.
Program Benefits
The requirements of the certificate allow working professionals who may not have the time or resources to dedicate to the full MBA program to gain specialized education in Sustainable Financial Management to advance their career in the Outdoor Industry. The courses are offered fully-online and in the evening to enable students to gain valuable education while continuing to work full-time. The program also offers companies an opportunity to make a feasible investment in their employees that could lead to higher retention and job satisfaction.
Admission Requirements
Admission Overview: Admission to any OIMBA certificate program will be based on a comprehensive assessment of academic achievements and relevant work experience. We welcome applicants who demonstrate a keen interest and potential in the outdoor industry, regardless of their specific area of focus. The application process is conducted online and requires the following materials:
Academic Transcripts
- Submit official or unofficial transcripts from a regionally accredited university. Unofficial transcripts may be uploaded to expedite application review; however, official undergraduate transcripts will be.
- A minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale is strongly recommended. Significant work experience may compensate for a lower GPA.
- Prospective students with a BA or BS in an unrelated area may be provisionally admitted and required to complete MBA 690: MBA Essentials with a B- or higher.
Cover Letter
- Should describe relevant interests, goals, and motivation for pursuing the OIMBA program.
- Should demonstrate an interest and involvement in outdoor activities or the outdoor industry, though direct experience in the outdoor industry is not mandatory.
Professional Resume
- Should highlight relevant work experience and showcase potential for positions related to the certificate being pursued.
- More than three years of outdoor industry work experience is preferred; candidates with less experience will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
Two Letters of Recommendation
- Should come from professionals or academics who can attest to the applicant's potential for success in the OIMBA program. A mix of professional and academic recommendations is beneficial, though not mandatory.
Provisional Admission Policy
Applicants with incomplete credentials or who lack in certain areas may be provisionally admitted to an OIMBA certificate program, subject to the following conditions:
- Must demonstrate the ability to manage the graduate course load effectively.
- Provisional students may be required to earn a B- or higher in MBA 690: MBA Essentials during the fall semester pre-term.
- Progress of provisionally admitted students will be regularly reviewed by the Program Director, with a focus on their ability to meet prescribed criteria and excel in the program.
*Candidates who do not meet the minimum GPA but have significant work experience will be considered.
**Candidates with less than three years of professional experience will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.