Diversity in beauty management is achieved by foregrounding consumers and the incredible variety of their bodies, perceptions of beauty, and experiences of humanity in the development of products, services, and marketplaces. It is inclusive of, but is not limited to, the perspectives of BIPOC, LGBTQ+, disabled, plus-size, indigenous, and older consumers, and involves the exploration of beauty and wellness beyond sight and through the embodied perception mechanisms of skin and touch, smell, sound, and taste.

The Certificate in Diversity in Beauty Management at Columbia College Chicago is targeted toward working professionals in the global beauty and personal care industries. The certificate is designed to be pursued online. Courses are intensive studies on a seven-week sessions and include both synchronous and asynchronous web experiences. The certificate can be completed in one semester by taking all nine credits in the fall semester.

As a result of successfully completing program requirements, students should be able to:

• conduct qualitative and quantitative market research to understand diverse beauty and wellness consumers’ needs, stories, and pain points in their own words and from their own perspectives;
• understand major cultural influences on beauty practices from around the globe to expand addressable markets, discover beauty and wellness innovations embedded in diverse histories and practices, and communicate effectively in a variety of western and non-western markets;
• understand richly embodied ways of thinking about and practicing beauty/wellness that are mediated through the skin and touch (vs. conventional eye- and vision-mediated senses);
• apply innovations in packaging, experiential marketing, Voice of Customer communication, and common beauty brand aesthetics to strategic marketing and communications, and;
• query positively redesign media production and consumption processes that impact beauty and wellness.