The Outdoor Industry Business Certificate (OIBC) is a first of its kind program that brings together OIA’s deep industry knowledge with universities’ world-class faculty to provide online, self-paced, non-credit certificates that address critical outdoor industry topics.
The OIBC program is a suite of certificates offered through our accredited university partners. By pursuing a certificate, you will take three specified courses that allow you to build fluency in an outdoor industry-focused topic. The topics were chosen and the courses developed with industry input to ensure that the knowledge you receive in the online classroom is readily applicable in the outdoor business world. Start building the skills and knowledge you need to pursue a career in an industry you’re passionate about. Enroll in a certificate program or standalone course today.
Learn from faculty of USU’s cutting-edge Outdoor Product Design & Development Program about sustainable product design, the circular economy, sustainability assessment tools and metrics, sustainable supply chains and more.
“As an outdoor industry professional looking to grow in my career, this program struck the perfect balance of everything I was looking for. It allowed me the time and financial flexibility I needed while providing me with a valuable curriculum that not only touched on everything from marketing, personal and leadership development, and crucial DEI points, but also dove deep into these matters while connecting everything back to the outdoor industry. “I have never had educators or coursework so seamlessly in-tune with the outdoor industry specifically, and this was everything to me. What I especially loved was how introspective some of the course material was, forcing me to look inside myself as an industry professional, a marketer, a leader, and an individual, and evaluate what I found there. I knew I would learn, but never imagined how much I would grow from these courses as an individual. There are teachings and lessons which I will take with me for many years to come as I grow as a professional.”
There are no formal prerequisites for these courses. Students do not need to have a college degree. However, students should have at least some college or technical training or have a few years of professional experience. All students need is curiosity, willingness to learn, and a passion for the outdoor industry and the topics that are critical to the industry’s success and longevity.
You will register and pay for classes through the universities’ websites. You will see orange “Register Now” buttons throughout this site that will link you out to the respective university’s enrollment pages.
Utah State University: For Utah State University’s courses, there are no registration deadlines. You can enroll at any time and start the course as soon as your enrollment is processed.
Western Colorado University: For Western Colorado University’s courses, registration is rolling and courses start the first day of each month. For example, if you register for a course on August 15, your course will be available to you starting September 1.
Each course has approximately 15 hours of content. To complete a certificate you will take three courses, which equals approximately 45 hours of content. All courses are self-paced, so you can go at whatever speed works for you. You have 180 days (6 months) to complete a single course.
Yes! You are welcome to take standalone courses if you don’t want or are not yet ready to pursue a full certificate.
No, we do not offer a cross-university/interdisciplinary certificate option at this time. You will only receive a certificate if you complete the three courses specified by a single university.
Yes! You are welcome to complete multiple certificates and will receive an individual certificate for each one that you complete.
No, you can take the courses in any order you want.
Tuition discounts are available for OIA members, on company bulk course purchases, and for Skip Yowell Future Leadership Academy (FLA) dues-paying alumni. Please contact education@outdoorindustry.org with inquiries.
We’re always looking to improve and provide meaningful education for professionals in the outdoor industry. Let us know how we’re doing.
