As organizations across the globe are prioritizing Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity in their workplace, diversity and inclusion certifications are rapidly becoming an asset for workplace managers and HR professionals.
Diversity and inclusion certifications are a popular method for HR professionals to get trained and accredited in D&I. It is also helpful for people who want to improve their careers in D&I.
Since the top-level leadership in many companies have already witnessed a boost in their employee productivity, creativity and revenue by prioritizing the D&I, it is very likely that more companies will look for professionals who are D&I certified.
What are Diversity and Inclusion Certifications?
A Diversity & Inclusion certification can provide HR professionals and managers with the tools to help them improve their professional settings in such a way that makes their employees feel welcome and safe.
It also provides them with knowledge and skills to become more conscious of their employee’s social and cultural backgrounds, understand workplace diversity, build inclusive teams and create a pleasant working environment.
In the below section, we will examine different diversity and inclusion training certifications that can help individuals and organizations create an inclusive work culture.
Top 10 Diversity and Inclusion certifications
To help you choose the right Diversity and Inclusion certification, we’ll take a look at the top 10 Diversity and Inclusion certifications — including who they are for, what’s the course duration and how much they cost.
1. Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace – ESSEC Business School
The Management courses offered by ESSEC Business School helps you maximize your leadership potential by emphasizing on innovation, openness, freedom and responsibility. Their course on Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace provides an in-depth understanding of discrimination, unconscious bias, and how to effectively manage these issues as a leader or as a member of an HR team.
This leadership and management course educates students about power dynamics in the workplace and best practices for supporting employees. It discusses the paradox and dynamics of workplace discrimination and how to handle it for improved performance and creativity.
The program is divided into four courses:
- Diversity and inclusion foundation
- Categorization and diversity perceptions
- Disrupting with diversity
- Diversity and inclusion around the world
This certificate program has the benefit of allowing students to finish the courses at their own pace.
Who it’s for: Professionals who are just starting out their careers in the HR domain or experienced employees who want to boost their knowledge in the D&I
Duration: 2 hours every week for 4 weeks
Price: This course is on Coursera and the price varies according to the subscription plan.
2. Diversity and Inclusion Certification – HR University
The Diversity and Inclusion Certification Course from the HR University is exclusively created for the HR or Management professionals who want to advance their career by learning the essentials of diversity and inclusion. This course also includes strategies to execute D&I as well as execute positive organizational culture.
This comprehensive course with over 120+ lectures, 15+ case studies, and exclusive interviews with D&I professionals will equip you with the knowledge and skills to manage the complicated realms of gender, ethnicity, culture, disability, harassment, bias and drive diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
This course will also teach students how to create inclusion and diversity initiatives, such as creating a DEI objective statement and conducting diversity-centric conversations.
The program covers the following:
- Creating a sense of belonging in your organization
- Developing a company vision
- Identifying unconscious bias
- Dealing with workplace bullying and harassment
- Implementing a diversity and inclusion strategy
This curriculum includes 15 case studies, seven quizzes, and a knowledge assessment.
Who it’s for: HR Professionals & Management Professionals
Duration: 20 hours (1 month)
Price: $299
3. Leading Culturally Diverse Teams in the workplace – Deakin University
This course from Deakin University, which is the largest university in Australia – gives you an understanding of the impact of cultural diversity on teams. It equips students with global perspectives, leadership skills, and communication strategies and is certified by the CPD Certification Service and recognized by the Employee Mobility Institute.
It is great for employees or individuals working in culturally diverse organizations, such as offshore and outsourced teams, as well as global company leaders. After finishing this course, you can easily work, lead, and interact with a diverse workforce.
You will also get a deeper understanding of cultural diversity, why it is important for teams, and how to take advantage of multicultural teams.
Who it’s for: Employees who lead or work in a culturally diverse organization, which also includes leaders of global organizations or outsourced and offshore teams
Duration: 3 hours every week for 4 weeks
Price: $69
4. Inclusive Leadership Professional Certificate – Catalyst
This training program aims to help newcomers improve their skills and become inclusive leaders and managers.
This course will teach you to apply the skills of Empowerment, Accountability, Courage, and Humility, which are inclusive leadership skills and practical strategies to work with different people around you. The program also provides knowledge on inclusive leadership communication skills and a thorough grasp of the value of inclusive leadership in businesses.
This training program has three courses:
- Becoming a successful leader
- Get beyond Work-Life balance
- Leading with effective communication
Who it’s for: All HR and management level Employees
Duration: 1-2 hours every week for 3 months.
Price: $147 to receive the certificate
5. Diversity and Inclusion Certificate Program – Cornell University
This course from Cornel University is tailored for managers, supervisors, and professionals who wish to ensure strategic cultural efforts.
Taught by Lisa Nishi, Professor and Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education at ILR School, Cornell University – this course helps students overcome unconscious bias, increase employee engagement, and promote a diverse and inclusive workplace. Other major takeaways from this certification includes detecting stereotypes that may influence workgroup behavior and how to improve organizational culture.
Students will acquire the following practical skills and knowledge:
- Enhancing employee engagement
- Combating unconscious bias
- Creating and implementing diversity and inclusion initiatives
- Creating an inclusive workplace
Who it’s for: Managers, Supervisors, and Individuals from HR backgrounds
Duration: 3-5 hours every week for 2 months
Price: $975/month
6. Understanding Diversity & Inclusion – Purdue University
This course which is developed by Purdue university – one of the four best public universities in the US, helps you to increase your knowledge and understanding of diversity and inclusion.
This business management course emphasizes detecting and overcoming unconscious bias and students can expand their knowledge and abilities to create more welcoming and inclusive workplaces where all employees feel valued.
This program will cover the following topics:
- Dexterity- phases of diversity
- Diversity-supporting attitudes, skills, and knowledge
- Unconscious bias
- Ethnocentric and ethno-relative viewpoints
- Diversity and inclusion elements
Who it’s for: HR employee, corporate trainer or marketing professional who would like to improve their attitude, skills, and knowledge for effective work with different people
Duration: 3 weeks, 3 hours every week
Price: This program is free of charge.
7. Diversity & Inclusion Certificate Program – American Management Association
The American Management Association or AMA is well-known for providing professional training in project management and business development areas. The Diversity & Inclusion Certification program by AMA is designed for organizational leaders and HR professionals who want to avoid bias and increase diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
Students who complete this program will be able to recognize the distinctive and complex parts of individual identity, grasp unconscious prejudices and stereotypes on a deeper level, and examine activities that encourage equity.
This program covers the following topics:
- Diversity and inclusion foundation
- Bridging communication gaps
- D&I and Emotional intelligence
- Managing & leading a successful multicultural team
- Successfully carrying out difficult conversations
Who it’s for: HR Professionals, Leaders at all levels and Managers responsible for diversity and inclusion in their organizations
Duration: This is a three-day online learning program
Price: For non-AMA members, it is $2,595, while for members, the cost will be $2,345.
8. Leading for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in Higher Education – University of Michigan
This certification offered by the University is an intermediate-level DEI certification course and is perfect for professionals who want to learn more about leadership and the importance of inclusiveness in educational institutions.
The course also looks at how leadership can help promote inclusivity and describes how, in a contentious workplace, the administration must prioritize equity, diversity, and inclusion.
There are five-course outlines in this five-week course, starting with 21st Century Leadership Challenges and concluding with Rethinking Leaders, Leadership, and Leadership Development.
Who it’s for: Anyone looking to enhance their knowledge in the field of D&I
Duration: 5 weeks
Price: Varies according to the subscription plan.
9. Certificate in Diversity and Inclusion in HR Management – HRCI
The HRCI or the ‘HR Certification Institute’ is the industry go-to when it comes to HR accreditations. Students who take this online learning course will have a strong foundation in managing inclusion and diversity in the workplace. This training aims to teach D&I professionals and/or HR professionals how to create an inclusive workplace culture.
To achieve organizational goals, students will learn how to create an inclusive workplace, approach diversity and inclusion (D&I) in a data-driven manner, and use D&I initiatives across the employee lifecycle to recruit and retain employees.
The program contains the following courses.
- Creating an inclusive culture
- Assessing diversity and inclusion
- Diverse talent hiring and retention
Who it’s for: Professionals with Bachelor’s degree in Human resource and who want to upskill in D&I
Duration: The program takes about 12 hours to finish
Price: $239
10. Optimizing Diversity on Teams – University of Pennsylvania
This course from the University of Pennsylvania is designed for people who wish to enhance their teams’ creativity, performance, and innovation. The principles of diversity, team management, handling conflict, and establishing clear ground rules are all covered in this course.
The course is divided into four modules:
- Promoting diversity in the workplace
- Managing conflict
- Team diversity fundamentals, and
- Diversity case studies via employee engagement
It delves into the challenges of fostering an inclusive team and how to deal with them.
Who it’s for: Anyone looking to enhance their knowledge in the field of D&I
Duration: 3 hours per week for 4 weeks
Price: $79
Conclusion
In conclusion, obtaining a Diversity and Inclusion certification is a great asset to mandatory compliance training initiatives and an investment in your personal and professional growth. With a wealth of options available, the top 10 Diversity and Inclusion certifications mentioned above include well-respected programs that offer a comprehensive curriculum and valuable insights into the key principles of D&I.
Whether you are a seasoned HR professional or just starting out, earning a certification in the field of D&I can open up new career opportunities, enhance your skillset, positively impact the workplace.
So, take the time to research and select the best program that fits your goals and needs, and start your journey towards becoming a Diversity and Inclusion Champion.
