Graduate Certificate in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB)  

Program Overview 

Muhlenberg College's Graduate Certificate in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) is designed to equip individuals with the skills and knowledge necessary to promote equity and inclusion in various professional and personal contexts. The program's curriculum covers topics such as social justice, cultural competence, and allyship. It is ideal for individuals who want to advance their knowledge and skills in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in their workplace, community organizations, and other settings. The program can be completed online and in as little as a year, making it accessible and flexible for working professionals. 

Admissions Requirements

Prospective students must have completed an undergraduate degree at an accredited institution. Students admitted to a graduate certificate will have the following:

  • Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
  • Two years of work experience or, if a senior or recent graduate, professional work experiences through internships, summer work, externships, and projects may be sufficient
  • Additional admissions requirements follow the college’s graduate admissions policy.

Program Structure

  • Duration
    The program consists of five modules, each running for eight weeks. Each module pairs two four-week “mini-courses” linking theory to practice.

  • Learning Modality
    Online, virtual learning consisting of synchronous and asynchronous activities with one on-campus symposium during the fall and spring semesters.

Alternate Certificate Options

Students may complete the first three courses in the DEIB curriculum to receive the DEIB Foundations Certificate. This certificate is stackable to be transitioned to the full certificate and eventually a Master's in Organizational Leadership with a concentration in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging.

Program Learning Outcomes

1. Students will understand the historical, social, and political roots of racism and challenge  current systemic inequalities in local, national, and global contexts through multiple  perspectives.  

2. Students will understand and further develop the ethical, legal, and economic rationale  for DEI in the workplace and communities.  

3. Students will understand and challenge the psychological processes that create and  maintain cultural stereotypes and biases.  

4. Students will come to a deeper understanding of the many types of diversity that exist  including race, ethnicity, culture, gender, sexuality, ability, and religion and develop an  understanding that diversity is inclusive, differentiated, and intersectional.  

5. Students will reflect on, analyze, and challenge their own identities with respect to  experiences of socialization, privilege, justice, and positionality.  

6. Students will assess their own organization/community context and identify growth  opportunities in regard to equity and inclusion work.  

7. Students will understand and further develop policies and practices, including laws and  regulations, that ensure equity and inclusion in their professional community.  8. Students will develop skills and dispositions that promote equity and inclusion work  including effective interpersonal communication and conflict resolution. 

Tuition and Financial Aid

Each course in the DEIB certificate program costs $850 per credit hour or $3,400 per course. Tuition includes all books, technology fees and other course-related costs. Please visit our financial aid page for more information.

Total cost of Tuition

  • DEIB Foundations Certificate (3 courses / 12 credits): $10,200
  • DEIB Graduate Certificate (5 courses / 20 credits): $17,000
  • Master’s in Organizational Leadership with a concentration in DEIB (10 courses / 40 credits): $34,000

Muhlenberg College School of Graduate Studies

Faculty Profiles

Muhlenberg’s faculty personify intellectual excellence and are devoted to teaching and opening doors for each individual student.

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Address Muhlenberg College Division of Graduate and Continuing Education 2400 Chew Street Allentown, PA 18104