Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, CERT

Available Spring 2022

Overview

American society is grappling with the issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion.  This societal reckoning is being played out in our educational institutions and in the workplace.  Educators and executives are looking for guidance and concrete methods to create an equitable and inclusive culture.  Today’s educational and business leaders are seeking the tools to ensure that equality, diversity, and inclusion are embedded in all their activities, at all levels, and within their policies and decision making.  Research has shown that a more diverse and equitable culture can add to an institution’s bottom line, increase employee retention, and satisfaction and institutional ranking.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Outcomes

This certificate prepares educators and working professionals to be change agents within their institutions in advancing the embrace of diversity, equity, and inclusion as a core competency.  Graduates of this certificate program will be uniquely poised as thought leaders in the DEI space, an area of expertise that is applicable across varied industries and sectors and is growing in demand as society moves to a more equitable and diverse construct.  Graduates will be competitive candidates to enter forward-thinking organizations as DEI experts to shape institutional practices, policies, and outcomes that support a culture embracing diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Experiential Learning Outcomes for the Educator Track:

Educators who complete the Certificate in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion can realize the following benefits for their educational institutions:

• Ability to prioritize the creation of actively inclusive and equitable classrooms and educational institutions.
• Design and operationalize innovate efforts to advance DEI goals related to teaching, learning, and educational leadership, and administration.
• Skills to identify and anticipate DEI related needs for students, educators, and community members.
• Critical awareness of identity and leadership in service to social change and transformation.

Learning Outcomes for the Executive Track:

Executives who complete the Certificate in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion can realize the following benefits for their organizations:

• Ability to prioritize the creation of an actively inclusive workplace and tackling prejudice through the workplace.
• Improved employee engagement through productive dialogue around DEI
• Greater diversification of skills and creativity by removing barriers to hiring diversified talent.
• Enhanced company reputation with demonstrably diverse workforce with inclusion as a core competency
• Clear, sustained financial returns as businesses with an inclusive culture are 50% more likely to meet or exceed financial targets.

Certificate of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Requirements

The certificate is a four course stackable credential to a master’s degree. The certificate consists of two distinct tracks - Educator and Executive with each track focusing on the particular aspects of DEI within the educational and business sectors.  The certificate can be completed online or through a hybrid model or onsite classroom setting.   

MPA 3310 - Self as Agent of Change 

MPA 3311 - Historical and Contemporary Understandings of (In) Equities  

MPA 3312 - Social Change and Transformation 

MPA 3313 - Praxis