Online Undergraduate Certificate in Climate, Equity and Opportunity in the Workplace
The online Undergraduate Certificate in Climate, Equity and Opportunity in the Workplace is designed for students interested in creating a more accepting and inclusive culture in their workplace, organization or community by examining historical context, to develop a better, more equitable future.
Offered by the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD), the online Undergraduate Certificate in Climate, Equity and Opportunity in the Workplace (CEOW) creates an opportunity for students to make a positive impact in their future workplaces while also gaining skills and resources that can make them more valuable to a prospective employer. By completing this certificate online at UofL, students will learn how to apply modern diversity, equity and inclusion principles to hiring practices—providing more equitable opportunities for generations to come. These skills also apply to community development and engagement, providing more spaces for people to learn, share and connect with each other.
Climate, Equity and Opportunity in the Workplace
Academic Year Tuition
Highlights
- Apply the skills you learn in this program to various fields or industries including public service, human resources, healthcare, government and private sectors, military and more.
- Learn about the theory and history of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) practices, and how they apply to real-world situations.
- Gain the foundational skills to address potential DEI issues within the workplace like understanding policy and hiring practices, addressing injustice or inequity and navigating conflicts.
- Advocate for yourself and others through intersectionality awareness, bias recognition and mitigation, effective communication and inclusive leadership.
- Study at your own pace from the comfort of home with 24/7 access to fully online coursework.
- Acquire resume-boosting experience without committing to a full-time degree program.
- Assess opportunities for organizational partnerships, and learn how to meaningfully engage with marginalized communities.
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Complete your certificate on your own time through fully online and accelerated classes.
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Learn MoreStudents can finish even faster by taking accelerated LEAD courses—see the Courses tab for more.
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"The CEOW certificate is a tremendous way to upskill for any professional. By taking an interdisciplinary approach to DEI, graduates will be able to assess and evaluate the climate, equity and opportunities in their workplace. With the ever-changing set of personnel talent and perspectives, any field will benefit from professionals who are CEOW-trained as they work to understand the differences that exist in the workplace, policy development, norms and governance that dictate theory and practice."
Randy Whetstone Jr., EdD
Climate, Equity and Opportunity in the Workplace
Outcomes
Completing the Undergraduate Certificate in Climate, Equity and Opportunity in the Workplace (CEOW) can create a variety of opportunities. Companies and organizations across various industries are actively looking for individuals with DEI experience who can improve their hiring practices and create more vibrant, diverse workplaces where every voice is heard and respected.
Some of the positions you could be prepared for include:
- Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Specialist
- Sustainability Coordinator
- Environmental Policy Analyst
- Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Specialist
- Human Resources Specialist with a focus on Diversity and Inclusion
- Social Impact Consultant
- Community Engagement Coordinator
- Environmental Educator
- Sustainability Analyst
- Non-profit Program Specialist
| Application Deadline | Term | Start Date |
|---|---|---|
| August 1 | Fall I | August |
| October 1 | Fall II | October |
| December 1 | Spring I | January |
| February 1 | Spring II | Late February |
| May 1 | Summer | May |
Note: We admit students on a rolling basis. The preferred deadlines help you complete the application process on time, be notified of acceptance, and enroll before the term begins. We review applications as they become complete and admit students for a specific term up to the day classes start. We recommend you work on and submit your complete application well in advance of the preferred deadline, as obtaining transcripts and other materials may take more time.
Steps to Apply
- Complete the Take Flight (undergraduate) application (select Post-Bac or Visiting Student > College Visitor or Continuing Studies, when prompted)
- Submit application fee of $30
- Submit ACT score or college transcripts (as applicable)
- Check for scholarships
Admission Requirements:
- High school diploma from an accredited institution (GED or equivalent)
- Minimum high school GPA of 2.5
- Composite ACT score of 21 or higher (test optional admission is granted on a case-by-case basis)
- Minimum of 2,000 hours (approximately one year total) of work experience
- Students with 24 or more college credit hours submit all prior college transcripts (instead of high school transcript), with a college GPA of 2.25 (applicants with a 2.0 - 2.24 GPA may inquire about conditional admission)
Not meeting the admission requirements?
If you do not meet one or more admission requirement(s), you may submit a petition for admission requirement waiver within the application form, in conjunction with all other application materials, explaining
- How this program fits in your career planning, and;
- Why the unmet requirement(s) will not be a barrier to your success in this program
The online Undergraduate Certificate in Climate, Equity and Opportunity in the Workplace requires students to complete a total of 12 credit hours from the options below. Students must complete 3 credit hours from each of the four areas (A through D).
| Course List | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| Area A: Diversity | 3 |
| LEAD 314: Diversity in the Workplace (3 credits) | |
| Area B: Inclusion | 3 |
| LEAD 324: Antiracism: A Fundamental to a New System (3 credits) | |
| PAS 205: Race, Color, and Consciousness (3 credits)* | |
| PAS 364: Racism and Sexism (3 credits)* | |
| Area C: Community Engagement | 3 |
| LEAD 424: Organizational Partnership and Community Engagement (3 credits) | |
| Area D: Equity | 3 |
| LEAD 460: Adult Learning and Diversity (3 credits) | |
| PAS 227: Survey of American Diversity (3 credits)* | |
| SOC 323: Diversity and Inequality (3 credits)* | |
| Total Minimum Required Credit Hours | 12 |
*This course may not be offered online during a given semester and/or may be offered in 16-week course length.
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