Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Certificate
November 1, 2025
January 12, 2026
Overview
The competencies gained through the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Certificate empower you to better understand the complex cultural, historical, and structural factors that shape our communities and institutions. You’ll develop critical thinking skills, expand your cultural awareness, and learn how to thoughtfully engage with nuanced conversations that impact workplaces, education systems, policy, and everyday life. Offered at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, this program provides valuable tools for those seeking to contribute to more thoughtful, informed, and collaborative environments, whether in professional, academic, or civic contexts.
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“I could not have faced so many obstacles without the support, strength and guidance from the faculty and staff. Even when times were tough, they believed in me, so I believed in me.”
Tomitha Zimmerman Ohio State Online Grad -
“While going into the program, I was concerned that by Ohio State being one of the largest institutions, I would feel like one in 1,000 students. Instead, I felt a sense of close-knit, connected support from both classmates and faculty.”
Stephanie Moore Ohio State Online Grad -
“Being able to apply everything I was working on for school immediately to my work was my favorite part of the program.”
Derek Danek Ohio State Online Grad -
“I attribute my recent two promotions to educating myself at Ohio State. I really think that getting the coursework done helped me excel at my current position, and it was recognized.”
Demi MacLennan Ohio State Online Grad -
“Ohio State is a large institution with a lot of possibilities and opportunities. You will meet people who you can connect with and who will connect you with others.”
Cara North Ohio State Online Grad -
“As an online student, there’s so many connections you can make that will have a really meaningful impact on your education. The opportunities that exist at Ohio State feel limitless.”
Audra Hanners Ohio State Online Grad
Frequently Asked Questions
Please find key information about the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Certificate below.
This certificate is available to current Ohio State undergraduate students. The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion certificate is also offered to those with a pre-existing bachelor’s degree as a stand-alone program.
A minimum GPA of 2.0 is required to complete the DEI certificate program
The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Certificate is a 12-credit hour program that is customizable to your specific interests. Offering a variety of courses available across departments that meet the program requirements. In addition to the two core courses which are required, students will select two or more elective courses equating to a minimum of six credits.
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Academic Calendar
The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Certificate offers enrollment for the spring and autumn semesters.
Academic Calendar
The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Certificate offers enrollment for the spring and autumn semesters.
Admission Criteria
The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Certificate is open to:
- Any current Ohio State undergraduate student
- Anyone with a bachelor’s degree
Is this program available in my state?
Select your state in the map below to view program availability.
The Ohio State University participates in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA).
SARA is a national initiative that increases student access to distance education courses and programs while maintaining compliance with state regulations. Institutions participating in SARA can offer educational opportunities in all 49 SARA member states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico without seeking individual approval in each state.
California is not a SARA member state, however, OSU may offer online courses and programs to students located in California under the California Private Post-Secondary Act of 2009.
The Application Process
Once you understand your program’s admission criteria, please note the application deadline. You’ll need a quiet space and a variety of materials for your application. To learn more, please see our Admissions page for the full process. Ready to Apply? Find your application here.
Career Outlook
The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Certificate program equips individuals with the knowledge and skills to foster respectful, collaborative, and culturally aware environments across a wide range of industries and professions. This program benefits those in roles such as Human Resources Specialists, Employee Engagement Coordinators, Teachers, Journalists, Authors, Sociologists, Training and Development Professionals, and Organizational Consultants.
Top Occupations by Median Income
What They Do
Assist social scientists in laboratory, survey, and other social science research. May help prepare findings for publication and assist in laboratory analysis, quality control, or data management.
Work Activities
Design and create special programs for tasks such as statistical analysis and data entry and cleaning. Provide assistance with the preparation of project-related reports, manuscripts, and presentations. Prepare tables, graphs, fact sheets, and written reports summarizing research results.
Wage Range
- Entry Level: $36,410
- Mid Level: $58,040
- Senior Level: $100,620
Job Outlook
Bright
Projected Growth
6.3%
Related Careers
- Clinical Data Managers
- Clinical Research Coordinators
- Data Scientists
- Statisticians
- Survey Researchers
Job Sectors
- English Language
- Computers and Electronics
- Administrative
- Mathematics
- Customer and Personal Service
What They Do
Assist other social and human service providers in providing client services in a wide variety of fields, such as psychology, rehabilitation, or social work, including support for families. May assist clients in identifying and obtaining available benefits and social and community services. May assist social workers with developing, organizing, and conducting programs to prevent and resolve problems relevant to substance abuse, human relationships, rehabilitation, or dependent care.
Work Activities
Assess clients’ cognitive abilities and physical and emotional needs to determine appropriate interventions. Develop and implement behavioral management and care plans for clients. Keep records or prepare reports for owner or management concerning visits with clients.
Wage Range
- Entry Level: $33,280
- Mid Level: $45,120
- Senior Level: $63,850
Job Outlook
Bright
Projected Growth
7.9%
Related Careers
- Child, Family, and School Social Workers
- Healthcare Social Workers
- Marriage and Family Therapists
- Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
- Mental Health Counselors
Job Sectors
- Customer and Personal Service
- Psychology
- Therapy and Counseling
- English Language
- Administrative
What They Do
Provide social services and assistance to improve the social and psychological functioning of children and their families and to maximize the family well-being and the academic functioning of children. May assist parents, arrange adoptions, and find foster homes for abandoned or abused children. In schools, they address such problems as teenage pregnancy, misbehavior, and truancy. May also advise teachers.
Work Activities
Maintain case history records and prepare reports. Interview clients individually, in families, or in groups, assessing their situations, capabilities, and problems to determine what services are required to meet their needs. Serve as liaisons between students, homes, schools, family services, child guidance clinics, courts, protective services, doctors, and other contacts to help children who face problems, such as disabilities, abuse, or poverty.
Wage Range
- Entry Level: $40,580
- Mid Level: $58,570
- Senior Level: $94,030
Job Outlook
Average
Projected Growth
4.9%
Related Careers
- Healthcare Social Workers
- Marriage and Family Therapists
- Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
- Rehabilitation Counselors
- Social and Human Service Assistants
Job Sectors
- Customer and Personal Service
- Psychology
- Therapy and Counseling
- English Language
- Administrative
National occupational information in Ohio State Online’s Career Outlook tool is sourced from O*NET Online and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The median annual wage displayed to the right of each occupational title above is based on the BLS Employment Projections program. Outlook and percent change indicate projected growth or decline over the next 10 years.
Curriculum
Through a series of interdisciplinary courses, students examine the structures and experiences that shape individual and group interactions in society. Coursework encourages critical reflection on how social, historical, and institutional contexts influence human behavior and relationships. Students are required to take two foundational courses (listed below) along with two or more elective courses of their choice. A wide range of electives are offered across departments allows students to tailor the focus of their studies to align with their personal interests and professional goals.
This core class is required for all students.
This course is one of three courses you can choose from as your second core course.
This course is one of three courses you can choose from as your second core course.
This course is one of three courses you can choose from as your second core course.
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Program Faculty
The experienced faculty of Ohio State’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Certificate program are dedicated to examining how identity is shaped by multiple, overlapping factors. Their teaching emphasizes critical thinking and encourages students to engage thoughtfully with complex issues that influence individuals, communities, and institutions. Faculty incorporate real-world case studies, reflective discussions, and interdisciplinary research into the curriculum, equipping students with the tools to navigate and contribute to positive change.
Reanne Frank
Professor
Reanne Frank’s research has focused on the ways in which demographic outcomes are influenced by the migration process, with specific attention to the case of the U.S.-Mexico migration flow. She has also focused on the role of changing immigrant settlement patterns and different social contexts in contributing to the health and health-risk behaviors of first-, second-,and later-generation immigrants in the United States. A secondary area of research concerns the intersection of genetics and racial differences in health.
Rin Reczek
Professor
Rachel Dwyer
Professor
Testimonials
Hear from real Ohio State students and graduates about their experience learning online.
“Ohio State is a large institution with a lot of possibilities and opportunities. You will meet people who you can connect with and who will connect you with others.”
“Being able to apply everything I was working on for school immediately to my work was my favorite part of the program.”
“I could not have faced so many obstacles without the support, strength and guidance from the faculty and staff. Even when times were tough, they believed in me, so I believed in me.”
Tuition Fee Overview
Investing in your future with a higher education degree is one of the best investments you can make for your future success. At Ohio State, we know understanding your program’s cost is an important part of your decision-making process. Below are the tuition fees you can expect with your program.
Estimates are based on the expenses typical of an Ohio State Online student, who would take 6 credit hours each semester as a part-time student. Actual costs may vary. Please note that summer semester instructional and general fees are 75% of the cost of autumn and spring fees, and this will decrease your total cost for the program.
| Tuition Fees | Part-Time – Per Credit Hour (unless otherwise noted) |
|---|---|
| Instructional Fee (Autumn and Spring) | $522.71 |
| Instructional Fee (Summer) | $392.03 |
| General Fee (Autumn and Spring) | $23.79 |
| General Fee (Summer) | $17.84 |
| Learning Technology Fee | $13.50 |
| Program Fee | $9.50 |
| Distance Learning Fee | $100.00 (per semester) |
| Non-Resident Surcharge (if applicable) | $200.00 (per semester) |
| International Surcharge (if applicable) | $129.29 (per credit hour) |
Tuition fees are subject to change. The table above serves as a guide and not an official bursar’s bill. Full-Time costs are total tuition costs per semester.
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