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Graduate Certificate in Socially Responsible and Sustainable Apparel Business
Program Overview
The Department of Fashion & Apparel Studies at the University of Delaware offers a graduate certificate in Socially Responsible and Sustainable Apparel Business. The certificate is comprised of nine, one-credit courses that are offered through the Internet. Because the courses are all offered through the Internet, it is possible to pursue the graduate certificate from any location in the world.
The graduate certificate provides a foundation of knowledge needed to manage design, product development, buying, promotion, sourcing, and production of apparel, textiles, and footwear in ways that are socially responsible and sustainable. The competencies and skills embedded in the courses are based on research with industry leaders and professionals who lead nongovernmental organizations and civil society groups with a stake in the global apparel business. The coursework is grounded on principles of the United Nations (UN) Global Compact, a voluntary international initiative bringing together companies, labor and civil society groups, and various UN agencies in support of human rights, labor, and the environment. The following learning goals have been established for students completing the certificate: 1) Evaluate how apparel, textile, and footwear businesses address the "Global Compact" principles for human rights, labor standards, and environmental stewardship and how they can more effectively address them in the future, 2) Analyze the moral and ethical responsibility of business and individuals toward human rights labor standards, and environmental stewardship, and 3) Recommend various strategies for affecting change in the industries.
The courses and learning materials for the certificate were developed by a team of faculty from the University of Delaware, Cornell University, and Colorado State University based on work supported by the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, under Award No. 2006-01405.
Students completing the requirements for the graduate certificate will be awarded a certificate that is signed by the Department Chairperson and the Department's Graduate Studies Committee Chair. Additionally, a notation of receipt of the certificate will be made on the students' transcripts.
The graduate certificate in Socially Responsible and Sustainable Apparel Business is not associated with the Lerner College of Business and Economics.
Requirements for Admission
Individuals who are not currently University of Delaware students apply to the Office of Graduate and Professional Education. While applications are accepted year round, students wanting to begin the certificate program in Fall Semester should apply no later than July 1. Students wanting to begin in Spring Semester should apply no later than January 1. Prospective students are required to submit evidence of an undergraduate degree and prepare a statement of interest. To be successful in the program, prospective students need to be able to express themselves clearly in written English as there are readings, written assignments, and discussions with the instructor and other classmates. Admission to the graduate program is competitive. Those who meet stated requirements are not guaranteed admission, nor are those who fail to meet all of those requirements necessarily precluded from admission if they offer other appropriate strengths. Those admitted for the graduate certificate are classified as nondegree students.
Graduate students who are currently pursuing a degree at the University of Delaware may take up to three of the required certificate courses without applying for admission into the certificate program. However, to take four or more required courses students must apply by completing an application available from the Fashion and Apparel Studies Department and submitting a statement of interest.
Financial Aid
Financial support for students pursuing the graduate certificate in Socially Responsible and Sustainable Apparel Business is not available. Students enrolled in a graduate degree program and pursuing the certificate may be eligible for financial support from their graduate degree program.
Requirements for the Certificate
The graduate certificate in Socially Responsible and Sustainable Apparel Business is comprised of a total of nine credits.
Labor and Environment Electives (3 credits)
Choose 3 courses from the following
FASH 696 Current Initiatives for Apparel Industry Labor Compliance 1
FASH 697 Worker-Centric Social Responsibility for Apparel Industry 1
FASH 698 Redesigning Green Apparel: Design, Sourcing & Packaging 1
FASH 699 Producing Environmentally Responsible Apparel 1
Foundation requirements (5 credits)
Choose an additional 5 courses from the following:
FASH 689 Apparel Supply Chains and Social Responsibility 1
FASH 691 Socially Responsible Apparel: Global Policy 1
FASH 692 Sustaining Global Apparel Supply Chains 1
FASH 693 Culture & Work in the Apparel Industry 1
FASH 694 Apparel Consumers and Social Responsibility 1
FASH 695 Bringing Social Responsibility to Apparel Corporate Culture 1
FASH 696 Current Initiatives for Apparel Industry Labor Compliance 1
FASH 697 Worker-Centric Social Responsibility for Apparel Industry 1
FASH 698 Redesigning Green Apparel: Design, Sourcing & Packaging 1
FASH 699 Producing Environmentally Responsible Apparel 1
Capstone Course:
FASH 666 Special Problem (1 cr. is required, but students may take up to 6 cr.) 1
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