Program Policy Statement

 

Graduate Certificate in

Socially Responsible and Sustainable Apparel Business

 

Part I. Program History

 

In 2007, the Department of Fashion & Apparel Studies at the University of Delaware became the first academic institution to offer a graduate certificate in Socially Responsible and Sustainable Apparel Business (SRSAB).  The certificate is comprised of nine, one-credit courses that are offered through the Internet.  Students select a Labor or Environment track.  A set of seven core courses are taken by all students and two specialized courses are taken for each selected track.  If students wish, they may pursue both tracks by taking all four specialized courses in addition to the seven core courses.

 

The graduate certificate provides a foundation of knowledge needed to manage international production and sourcing 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.

 

  • 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.

 

  • Analyze the moral and ethical responsibility of business and individuals toward human rights labor standards, and environmental stewardship, and

 

  • 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.  Instructors and students for the courses are drawn from all three universities.  Because the courses are all offered through the Internet, it is possible to pursue the graduate certificate from any location in the world.

 

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.

 

Part II. Admission

 

A.  University Policy on Admissions

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.

 

B.  Admission to the Graduate Certificate Program

 

Individuals Currently Not Enrolled at UD

Individuals who are not currently University of Delaware students apply to the Office of Graduate Studies.  There is a $60 application fee.  Prospective students are required to submit evidence of an undergraduate degree and prepare a statement of interest.

 

Admissions will be decided by the Graduate Studies committee of faculty in the department.  Once accepted for the graduate certificate, the Department transfers the admissions information to the Graduate Studies Office whereupon admitted individuals are categorized as nondegree students.  

 

Current UD Graduate 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.  

 

C.  Application Deadlines

 

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. 

 

Part III. Academic

 

A.  Requirements for the Graduate Certificate Program

The graduate certificate in Socially Responsible and Sustainable Apparel Business is comprised of a total of nine credits and includes a choice of two tracks, Labor or Environment.

 

Core Requirements (minimum of 7 credits)

The following six courses form the core for both tracks:

FASH 689 Apparel Supply Chains & Social Responsibility (1 cr.)

FASH 691 Socially Responsible Apparel: Global Policy (1 cr.)

FASH 692 Sustaining Global Apparel Supply Chains (1 cr.)

FASH 693 Culture & Work in the Apparel Industry (1 cr.)

FASH 694 Apparel Consumers and Social Responsibility (1 cr.)

FASH 695 Bringing Social Responsibility to Apparel Corporate Culture (1 cr.)

FASH 666 Special Problem (1 cr. is required, but students may take up to 6 cr.)

 

Concentration Requirements (2 credits)

For the Labor track, students will take two additional courses.

FASH 696 Current Initiatives for Apparel Industry Labor Compliance (1 cr.)

FASH 697 Worker-Centric Social Responsibility for Apparel Industry (1 cr.)

 

For the Environment track, students will take two additional courses.

FASH 698 Redesigning Green Apparel: Design, Sourcing & Packaging (1 cr.)

FASH 699 Producing Environmentally Responsible Apparel (1 cr.)

 

The FASH 666 Special Problem serves as a capstone experience whereby students integrate their learning across the courses of the certificate.  This course is taken upon completing at least seven credits required for the certificate program.  Students work under the direction of one of the teaching instructors on individual study, experiential learning (e.g., group travel, internship, service learning), or research with the teaching professor.

 

B.  Additional Information

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.

If the certificate program participant only holds an undergraduate degree, it is recommended that he/she take the certificate program courses for a letter grade (A, B, etc.), so that, if at a later date the participant elects to pursue a graduate degree, these graduate courses may be transferable into that degree program.  If the certificate program participant already holds a graduate degree and does not intend to use the courses toward any future degree program, then the participant may elect to take the courses Pass/Fail, still earning graduate credits; but those ungraded credits are unlikely to be transferable into a graduate degree program.

Academic Load

Students pursuing the certificate will normally enroll in three to six courses toward the graduate certificate per academic semester.  Students not maintaining at least a 3.0 GPA in the graduate certificate courses or who do not enroll in at least one required course for two consecutive academic semesters (Fall and Spring) will be asked to withdraw from the program.

 

Grade Minimums

To earn the graduate certificate, students must receive a grade of B- or better in each course.

 

Advising

To plan your Graduate Certificate Program in Socially Responsible and Sustainable Apparel Business, contact Marsha Dickson (Dickson@udel.edu: 302-831-8714).  Registering for courses applicable to the certificate program can be done on-line.

 

Part IV. 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.