Online Graduate Certificate in Diversity, Equity and Social Change
Merrimack’s diversity, equity and social change certificate is designed for community engagement professionals interested in a tailored, focused diversity and inclusion program.
Finish the Online Graduate Certificate in as little as 12 months.
Graduate Admission Virtual Information Session
Friday, January 10, 2025
from 12:00 pm
to 1:00 pm
Join our graduate admission counselors online and learn about our graduate programs, fellowship opportunities, scholarships, application details, and more!
Graduate Certificate in Diversity, Equity and Social Change: Why Merrimack College?
Communities today are grappling with the realities of historic and contemporary systemic oppression of groups based on social identities such as race, class, religion, ethnicity, age, gender expression, ability, and sexual orientation. In response, more organizations are offering diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programming, including diversity and inclusion certificate options, to encourage diverse representation, especially from historically underrepresented groups. Merrimack’s DEI certificate provides community engagement professionals in schools, nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and other contexts the skills to build institutional policies and practices that are welcoming, inclusive and equitable. Our diversity certificate program stands out for its:
Flexibility for working professionals.
Merrimack’s DEI program has been designed to allow employees and leaders of educational institutions and community-based organizations to pursue the critical skills and techniques they need to become diversity, equity and inclusion professionals without leaving their current position. All courses are offered online.
Leading faculty.
Drawing from courses in Merrimack’s M.Ed. in Community Engagement, the diversity certificate program is similarly led by nationally prominent researchers and practitioners in the field. You’ll learn in small classes that guarantee extensive face-time and one-on-one support from accomplished scholars such as community engagement specialist Audrey Falk.
Transferable master’s degree credits.
If you decide to continue your studies, you can count all the credits from the diversity, equity and social change certificate program toward Merrimack’s master’s degree in community engagement. The graduate certificate amounts to about a third of the total credits needed for the master’s degree.
What You’ll Learn in Merrimack’s Diversity and Inclusion Courses
Join us for robust online diversity and inclusion training. The certificate program’s three-course (12 credit) sequence will give you the tools needed to understand the broader landscape of diversity and inclusion, facilitate intergroup dialogue and assess institutional practices.
Community Engagement Theory and Practice
Credits: 4
This course examines the contemporary community engagement movement, including civic and community engagement, service learning, community-based research in K-12 and higher education, and community-based education and learning. It explores key pragmatic issues such as planning and implementing community partnerships, developing service learning courses, and identifying outcomes for students and sites, as well as core theoretical issues such as community capacity building, reciprocity, sustainability and ethical engagement.
Diversity, Equity and Social Justice in Community Engagement
Credits: 4
This course uses a social justice framework to explore issues of power and privilege with respect to diverse populations. Historical and contemporary oppression based on race, gender, ability and other differences are explored. Self-reflection is used to examine students’ own biases and prejudices. This course offers aspiring community activists the opportunity to learn about social change through social justice education, advocacy and outreach initiatives.
DEI Theory, Policy and Practice in Community Engagement
Credits: 4
The course aims to equip community engagement practitioners with knowledge and skills to enable participation in community engagement theory building, policy making and practice that is informed by, and aligned with, the principles of diversity, equity and inclusion.
Questions about the Graduate Certificate in Diversity, Equity and Social Change?
Contact the Merrimack College Office of Graduate Admission at [email protected].
Scholarships and Fellowships
Scholarships and fellowships can make your graduate education affordable on any budget.
How to Apply
Create your account to get started. Apply today to start your certificate in diversity, equity and social change.
