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Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design LEED Green Associate (GA) Program with Externship

Program includes National Certification & an Externship Opportunity

LEED Green Associate (GA)

In this program, Learners will be introduced the components of building construction. This course will examine the five types of NFPA classifications for building construction. Loads, structural components, and how fire and other emergencies impact building design and construction will be explored. The components of building systems, their effects on building design and construction, and how structures act under fire and other emergency situations will be examined as well.

LEED Green Associate (GA)Program

This self-paced course introduces key concepts and terms to prepare learners to earn their Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®)Green Associate v4™ accreditation. The course is divided into modules that explain LEED® process, LEED® certification, and the knowledge domains associated with the seven LEED® rating systems, in a simple and straightforward way that can be quickly and easily understood.
Throughout the course, comprehension and understanding of important topics will be tested through challenging exercises and interactive games. Quizzes and tests will also be employed to ensure that learners have a clear grasp of the critical details they'll need to know as LEED Green Associates™.

Program Objectives


  • Explain the importance of building construction as it relates to firefighter safety
  • Analyze the properties of construction materials
  • Analyze parts of a building plan
  • Distinguish buildings by NFPA Classification
  • Analyze building systems contained in building structures
  • Analyze the mechanisms for building collapse
  • Analyze the effect of fire loads and behavior on building structure fires
  • Explainspecial considerations for fire safety in building construction
  • Analyze green technology in building construction
  • Understand the structure and requirements of the LEED Green Associate™ Exam
  • Explain and apply the key concepts found in the LEED® rating systems
  • Differentiate green building practices and their associated environmental, economic, and social benefits
  • Begin your preparation to earn your LEED Green Associate™ accreditation with confidence


  • Explain the impact of the built environment.
  • Summarize the intent of impact categories.
  • Discuss the difference in costs between green building and conventional construction.
  • Differentiate between life-cycle assessment and life-cycle costing.
  • Define what is meant by a triple bottom line.
  • Describe the concept of regenerative building.
  • Compare integrative versus iterative processes.
  • Explain feedback loops and open versus closed systems.


  • Discuss how LEED®was developed.
  • Describe LEED®structure.
  • Differentiate between the various LEED®professional credentials.
  • Explain the scope of LEED®ratings.
  • Outline the project certification process.
  • Summarize LEED®credits and Minimum Program Requirements.


  • Discuss the intent of the Location & Transportation (LT) Category
  • Explain the connection between infill development, walkability, and greenhouse gas reduction
  • Identify various modes of alternative transportation
  • Summarize the strategies utilized to promote smart growth
  • Describe the relationship between site selection and various diverse uses


  • Discuss the intent of the Sustainable Sites (SS) Category
  • Summarize rainwater management strategies
  • Describe the heat island effect and various strategies utilized to reduce their impact
  • Explain light pollution and the negative effects it has on the environment
  • Discuss the importance of minimizing construction's impact on the surrounding environment
  • Identify various site assessment and design strategies


  • Discuss the intent of the Water Efficiency (WE) Category
  • Differentiate different strategies to address water efficiency
  • Explain the LEED®calculations for both indoor and outdoor water use
  • Summarize how full-time equivalent (FTE) is used to calculate water usage
  • Define the EPA Act of 1992 with regard to baseline water consumption
  • Identify strategies used to achieve reduced levels of water consumption on a project level


  • Discuss the intent of the Energy & Atmosphere (EA) Category
  • Explore energy demand reduction strategies
  • Describe the purpose of energy efficiency as it relates to LEED®
  • Gain a general understanding of energy efficiency strategies
  • Explain howfossil fuels produce the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide and how to install alternative energy production
  • Evaluate the impact of refrigerants and how to employ refrigerant trade-off and refrigeration elimination strategies
  • Discuss green power, renewable energy certificates, green e-certification programs, and carbon offsets


  • Discuss the intent of the Materials & Resources (MR) Category
  • Summarize the environmental impact of a product's life cycle
  • Describe the role that Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) have in the sourcing of environmentally preferable materials and products
  • Identify strategies that can be used to source raw materials in an environmentally friendly and sustainable way
  • Outline the importance of the use of environmentally preferable materials in green design
  • Explain waste diversion and how it relates to the development of a waste management plan


    Discuss the intent of the Indoor Environmental Quality (EQ) Category
  • Summarize the strategies for improving the health and comfort of building occupants
  • Identify the various environmental factors that impact indoor air quality
  • Define volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and the testing methods used to determine VOC emissions levels
  • Explain the strategies aimed at minimizing the exposure of building occupants to environmental tobacco smoke

Innovation (in) & regional priority (rp)

  • Discuss the intents of the Innovation (IN) and Regional Priority (RP) Categories
  • Explain what is meant by exemplary performance
  • Describe the rationale behind the Regional Priority credit category
  • Outline the strategies that may be used to earn Innovation credit pointsIdentify how regions are determined in the Regional Priority (RP) credit category

Education and National Certifications

    • US Green Building Council (USGBC) LEED® Green Associate (GA)

National Certification

Upon successful completion of this program, students would be eligible to sit for the US Green Building Council (USGBC) LEED® Green Associate (GA)exam .Students who complete this program will be prepared and are eligible to sit for the national certification exams.Students who complete this program are encouraged to complete the externship option with their program. Students who complete this program can and do sit for the national certification exams and are qualified, eligible and prepared to do so. works with each student to complete the exam application and register the student to take their national certification exam.

Externship / Hands on Training / Practicum

