9 Sustainable Fashion Certificate Programs That’ll Help You Put Your Best Foot Forward
By Jharna Pariani
Whether you’re looking for a leg up in your sustainable fashion career, want to launch your own business, or simply wish to gain some knowledge, here’s where to start.
If you fancy a dream career in sustainable fashion, but can’t commit to a several year-long study program, then look no further. As long as you have a few hours to spare each week, these sustainable fashion certificate programs will have you covered within a span of a few months.
Offered by prestigious fashion universities and institutions, these online certificate courses provide an in-depth understanding of various subjects within the sustainable fashion realm to empower you with the knowledge to better navigate what has become the industry’s need of the hour.
Fashion education was once focused exclusively on design, but the adoption of sustainable policies has created new demand for specialized training. Sustainable fashion jobs are increasingly growing with some of the biggest names in the industry recruiting for green roles.
These roles are responsible for the development and implementation of sustainable decisions and require recommendations to help reduce any negative environmental impact. Fortunately, a wide range of institutions are rising to meet the sustainable fashion education need and we’ve done the work of finding you some of the best and most comprehensive online certificate courses available.
We have divided the list of courses into “Certificate Programs”, where you’ll gain knowledge on a specialized subject through an intensive program, and “Short Courses” which are provided by the leading global universities in fashion that offer general, albeit insightful knowledge on the concerned subject.
So without further ado, here’s our list of sustainable fashion certificates to help you get a head start in your sustainable career.
CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS
1. Socially Responsible and Sustainable Apparel Business
Educational Institution: University of Delaware
Created by the Department of Fashion and Apparel Studies at the University of Delaware, this is an online graduate certificate comprised of nine one-credit courses. The course addresses labor and environmental problems in global supply chains of the apparel, textile, and footwear industries, while providing students with the knowledge needed to help manage these issues in ways that are socially responsible and sustainable.
The skills embedded in the courses are based on research gained from industry leaders and professionals who lead non-governmental organizations and civil society groups with a stake in the global apparel businesses. These professionals have also reviewed the program and claim that “The courses are comprehensive of all areas that should be reviewed to have a good understanding of social responsibility in these industries. Anyone completing these courses should be equipped with the knowledge to contribute to the industry.”
Price: $1028 per credit hour 2023-24; nine credit hours
Duration: Varies; requires nine credit hours
What you’ll learn: Evaluate how businesses address ethical and environmental stewardship; How to recommend various strategies for effecting change in the industries
Explore Socially Responsible and Sustainable Apparel Business
Educational Institution: Fashion Institute of Technology
Provided by the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), one of the internationally recognized fashion colleges in NYC, this online certificate program will teach its students brand strategies and how they work for accelerating the achievement of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) objectives.
As students, you will gain a deep understanding of how a corporation’s branding — their financial and marketing policies, products (including textiles and fibers), and supply chains — can unify concerned communities and align with various stakeholder values in pursuit of a sustainable circular economy. You will understand why brands end up resorting to greenwashing and how it can be avoided.
Jenn K, a Senior Design Consultant reviewing the course shares that it has “improved my communication skill set in discussing CSR and ESG with clients which is an important first step to develop a strategy for sustainability for a brand.”
Price: $1,200
Duration: Dates TBD
What you’ll learn: Why branding is needed for CSR/ESG and circular economy (CE) success and how to measure it; Develop your own brand-focused sustainability strategy; Increase relevancy and ROI's for stakeholders with branded supply chains; Brand sustainability values for CRM and achieve customer loyalty
Explore Branding ESG for Advancing a Circular Economy & Sustainable Fashion
Educational Institution: Circular Economy Institute
This is a highly intensive assessment-based certificate program and professional credential offered internationally by the Circular Economy Institute to people who are aiming at implementing circular economy strategies in the fashion industry.
By earning this circular fashion certificate, you will learn how circularity in fashion is being used in the real world and develop the skills needed in today’s business world.
To earn this certificate, students have to pass two 20-question multiple choice exams with a grade of over 70%, submit a two-page assessment of a company based on the upcoming ISO International Standards on Circular Economy, and ultimately submit a 10-minute video of themselves simulating giving recommendations to an organization based on their circular assessment with a score of over 70%.
P.S. It should be noted that this course has a prerequisite of having over three years of work experience.
Price: £460
Duration: Self-paced, estimated 60 hours
What you’ll learn: How to clearly explain the circular fashion principles and real-world applications; Develop competence in the circular economy diagram and its implementation; How circular solutions are implemented through real-life fashion projects; Evaluate fashion organizations based on the upcoming ISO International Standards on Circularity
Educational Institution: European Institute of Innovation for Sustainability (EIIS)
Taking place in Milan, this program covers 15 interactive modules over a span of four months to help you walk away with a better grasp of sustainable fashion covering important topics like raw material analysis and solutions, circular fashion, and quantifying green metrics, among other curated modules taught by the field’s most authoritative experts.
The institute uses a “challenge-based learning” methodology that involves hands-on collaboration with fellow student teammates to find solutions to existing problems of most representative companies.
One of the alumni positively reviewed the program sayingand said “The possibility to get in touch with so many experts from the field, sharing thoughts, considerations, and ideas has been a unique and very constructive experience.”
Price: €1900
Duration: 4 months
What you’ll learn: Gain a better understanding of what sustainable fashion actually means; Study and understand revolutionary policies and practices already in use in the market; Understand the best practices that companies can implement to embrace sustainability; Discover how brands can effectively communicate sustainability; Learn how to apply the principles of circularity in the fashion industry; Actively develop business ideas and strategies for sustainability
SHORT COURSES OFFERED BY UNIVERSITIES:
5. Sustainable Design Entrepreneurs Courses
Educational Institution: Fashion Institute of Technology
Targeted toward aspiring and existing fashion entrepreneurs, these courses offered by the Fashion Institute of Technology will arm you with the knowledge, tools, and access to resources you need to build a commercially viable business based on sustainable design practices.
Many of these courses may either take place in-person (at FIT NYC) or remotely online. You can choose to pursue the ones that will bring the most value to you and your business.
The courses include:
Price: Available on request for each program
Duration: Available on request for each program
Educational Institution: Central Saint Martins
Offered by one of the most prestigious fashion institutes in London, Central Saint Martins, this online course will teach you the systems and management practices needed to foster sustainable fashion brands. From fiber to fashion, this course covers the impact of materials from a social, environmental, and community standpoint.
You will learn how to source better materials while learning about sustainability standards, certifications, and the verification processes when claiming sustainability attributes on products. You will also gain access to a useful database of direct contacts and tools for efficient sourcing.
Sessions take place in an online classroom, including presentations and discussions with your tutor. Your learnings will then be applied to assignments subjected to feedback from your tutor.
Price: £420
Duration: 4 weeks
What you’ll learn: A thorough understanding of sustainability and responsible sourcing; How to carry out verifications and traceability requirements to market appropriate sustainability claims; Develop understanding of sustainable design inspiration
Educational Institution: Central Saint Martins
Targeted at fashion marketing professionals, strategists, as well as activists, this course covers the all-important topic of fashion sustainability by helping students deepen their understanding and create more sophisticated sustainability strategies.
You will explore critical approaches to fashion marketing and communications from a sustainable perspective and address whether marketing tactics are hampering or helping tackle sustainability challenges faced by the industry.
Students of this course stand to gain hands-on experience by creating a fashion brief by the time of completion. The university claims this course is better suited for individuals who are already active in the fashion industry, as some overall knowledge of the fashion landscape will be useful to participate fully in the course.
Price: £380
Duration: 4 weeks
What you’ll learn: How sustainability issues are being communicated to the public; Explore if sustainability can create a competitive advantage for a brand; Understand consumer attitudes towards sustainability and how this can impact a fashion brand
Educational Institution: Central Saint Martins
In this hands-on course, you will learn dyeing techniques using natural elements, how to harvest from off-site nature, gardens, vegan food waste, recycle centers, and zero-waste shops.
This is a great course for slow fashion practitioners, students, and even aspiring or established designers looking at alternative and sustainable fashion approaches.
By the end of the course, you will take away your own solar oven, natural dyes, swatch books, hand-dyed garments, and a source list for sustainable resources in London.
Price: £720
Duration: 7 sessions
What you’ll learn: Hands-on dyeing techniques using natural elements; How to make your own solar oven to create sustainable energy; Generate plant-based dyes to use on protein and plant fibers and garments of your choice
Educational Institution: Central Saint Martins
In this practical course, you will explore different sustainable, zero-waste design, and pattern-cutting techniques that’ll help eliminate textile waste right at the design stage.
It will additionally cover other approaches to sustainable pattern cutting using draping and fabric manipulation techniques, learning how to repurpose existing clothing using techniques for deconstruction, re-styling, and adapting existing garments to create new styles.
Any previous pattern-cutting experience and an ability to sew will help navigate this course as its conclusion involves presenting a garment of your creation using some of the techniques learned.
Price: £800
Duration: 5 sessions
What you’ll learn: Sustainable pattern cutting; Zero waste pattern cutting draping; Fabric manipulation techniques; How to repurpose clothing in new ways
About the Author:
Jharna Pariani is a fashion writer and creative strategist whose work is rooted in honesty and deep observation of the world around her. When she isn’t busy penning down her thoughts, she moonlights as a video editor creating fashion and food reels on Instagram for several brands and influencers.