Diversity and Inclusion is more than an asset. They are essential for the long-term success of NGOs, international organizations and companies. Human rights organizations and their affiliates have a special obligation to create safe and inclusive working environments where everyone can participate and feel confident to express themselves. Nevertheless, even some of the most renowned human rights organizations have faced some level of scrutiny in the past over discrimination and bullying. We have collected a list of online courses to obtain a diversity and inclusion certification online that will be useful for employers, employees and leaders. You can audit the courses for free and opt-in for a paid diversity and inclusion certificate on each of the courses below.
#1. Professional Certificate – Inclusive Leadership (Catalyst)
#2. Diversity and inclusion in the workplace (ESSEC Business School)
#3. Women in Leadership: Inspiring Positive Change (Case Western Reserve University)
#4. Gender and Sexuality: Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace (University of Pittsburgh)
#5. Optimizing Diversity on Teams (University of Pennsylvania)
#6. Leading Culturally Diverse Teams in the Workplace (Deakin University)
#7. Education for All: Disability, Diversity and Inclusion (University of Cape Town)
#8. What does it mean to identify as Transgender or Gender Non-Conforming? (University of Minnesota)
#9. Unconscious Bias: From Awareness to Action (Catalyst)
#10. Teaching & Learning in the Diverse Classroom (Cornell University)
#1. Professional Certificate – Inclusive Leadership (Catalyst)
As organizations and customer bases become more diverse, organizations must keep up with the times. That means moving beyond diversity to inclusion, which increases employee engagement, innovation, and the competitive edge. Inclusive leaders bring out the full potential of their teams and reap the benefits of inclusion. In this Inclusive Leadership Training program from Catalyst, you’ll learn how to apply inclusive leadership skills – Empowerment, Accountability, Courage, and Humility – and explore practical strategies on how to work with people very different from you. There are three courses in this program.
What you will learn (excerpt)
- Apply Empowerment, Accountability, Courage, and Humility (EACH) in any setting
- Sharpen the skills inclusive leaders need to make the workplace more successful
- Learn to use inclusive communication
- Develop better work-life priorities
How you will learn
This self-paced course takes about three months when students commit to 1-2 hours per week. You’ll learn through group discussions, lectures, assessments, and case studies. To receive a certificate, you’ll need to pay a $147 fee.
#2. Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace (ESSEC Business School)
Diverse workplaces are more successful, innovative, and empowering. However, differences can also cause friction and fuel discrimination. To avoid the downsides of diversity and achieve the benefits, diversity and inclusion efforts are necessary. In this 4-module course from ESSEC Business School, students will learn more about diversity as a concept, perceptions of differences, how to leverage diversity for its benefits, and more.
What you will learn (excerpt)
- Understand key diversity concepts and issues
- Explore your own (and other) perceptions and reactions to differences
- Apply categorization processes to organizations
- Examine the impact of diversity and inclusion initiatives around the world
How you will learn
Each of the four modules includes lectures, readings, and a quiz. Each module takes about 2 hours, so you can expect to complete the course in 8-10 hours. To receive a certificate, you’ll need to pass all the quizzes. The course costs $79.
#3. Women in Leadership: Inspiring Positive Change (Case Western Reserve University)
This course (which is part 2 of the 5-part Inspired Leadership Specialization) provides students with a more complex understanding of the issues facing women and work. You’ll explore the opportunities, challenges, and organizational dynamics that women experience in work organizations. Students will also get an opportunity to reflect on individual behaviors. By the end of the course, students will be equipped to answer questions such as “How can organizations provide women with opportunities for success?”
What you will learn (excerpt)
- Define “inspiring leadership” and the strategies of high-achieving women
- Explore the status of women in organizations today and what challenges exist
- Discuss the alleged “gender confidence gap”
- Develop negotiating skills
How you will learn
This 5-module course takes about 13 hours to complete. You’ll learn through articles, video lectures, reflective exercises, discussion forums, and a final project. No course fee is listed, but many courses within specializations require a fee if you want a certificate.
#4. Gender and Sexuality: Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace (University of Pittsburgh)
This course introduces students to the gender, sexuality, and women’s studies field. Through a suite of interdisciplinary tools, concepts, and methods, students learn how to understand and analyze the ways identity shapes experience in the workplace and culture at large. By the end of the course, students can provide well-informed answers to questions such as “What is sex?” and “What is gender?”
What you will learn (excerpt)
- Establish the groundwork on key terms and their significance in a social and political context
- Explore the history and theories of gender and sexuality
- Examine the evolution of transgender identities
How you will learn
This 4-module course includes videos, readings, and quizzes. Deadlines are flexible, but students can expect to complete the course in around 16 hours. The course costs $49.
#5. Optimizing Diversity on Teams (University of Pennsylvania)
Part 3 of the 5-part Culture-Driven Team Building specialization, this course helps students understand what diversity is and how to use it to enhance team performance, creativity, and innovation. Students will learn how to overcome common biases, better handle conflict, and harness the collective wisdom of diverse teams.
What you will learn (excerpt)
- How to get buy-in for diversity initiatives and what strategies can reduce barriers
- Understand why diversity matters for teams
- Learn why conflict occurs and how to respond
- Examine case studies from organizations like Google and learn how businesses apply strategies to overcome inclusion barriers
How you will learn
This 4-part course has flexible deadlines and can be completed in about 12 hours. You’ll learn through video lectures, supplemental readings, and two quizzes. Because this course is part of a specialization, you can enroll for free using the 7-day free trial. When the trial is over, it costs $79 per month to continue.
#6. Leading Culturally Diverse Teams in the Workplace (Deakin University)
Research shows the benefits of diversity in the workplace, including innovation and creativity. Managing these teams comes with challenges, so cross-cultural management is essential. This course equips students with global perspectives, leadership skills, and communication strategies. It’s certified by the CPD Certification Service and recognized by The Employee Mobility Institute
What you will learn (excerpt)
- Identify and analyze your organization’s cultural diversity
- Enhance communication across different cultures and places
- Strengthen the skills needed to lead diverse teams
- Reflect on how culture influences different perspectives
How you will learn
With a weekly time commitment of 3 hours, students can complete the course in 4 weeks. You’ll learn through discussions, videos, and readings. To receive a certificate, you’ll need to pay $69 for the course.
#7. Education for All: Disability, Diversity and Inclusion (University of Cape Town)
Because of a disability, millions of kids can’t access the education they need. This course teaches students about inclusive education, including the barriers that face it and how to respond. Topics include the importance of home-school partnerships, how to adapt curriculum, and why inclusive education matters. Students will also explore practical strategies for creating inclusive learning environments.
What you will learn (excerpt)
- Define inclusive education and its principles and approaches
- Describe the role of family and community
- Apply inclusive education ideas in the classroom
- Explore how attitudes can influence the way inclusive education is implemented
How you will learn
With a weekly time commitment of 3 hours, students can complete the course in 6 weeks. You’ll learn through videos, discussions, exercises, and readings. On its own, the course costs $44.
#8. What does it mean to identify as Transgender or Gender Non-Conforming? (University of Minnesota)
What is gender identity? What does it mean to be trans or gender non-conforming? This course explores these questions and many more. Students learn the concept of gender identity, the process of gender affirmation, the unique challenges, and how to build inclusive spaces for everyone.
What you will learn (excerpt)
- Understand the basics of gender and gender affirmation
- Learn the history of trans and non-conforming individuals and movements
- Examine anti-trans policies and anti-trans attitudes in healthcare, incarceration, and more
- Learn how to create and support inclusive spaces in the workplace, schools, and more
How you will learn
This 7-week course has flexible deadlines and takes about 27 hours to complete. You’ll learn through videos, readings, quizzes, and discussion forums. To get the certificate, you’ll need to pay $49 for the course.
#9. Unconscious Bias: From Awareness to Action (Catalyst)
Everyone has unconscious biases that influence their attitudes and behaviors. When these biases remain unchecked, they have a significant influence on society, including the workplace. As the world strives for more diversity and inclusion in the workspace, understanding unconscious bias is more important than ever. In this course, students will learn how to manage their unconscious bias beginning with awareness and moving to action.
What you will learn (excerpt)
- Understand what unconscious bias is
- Identify the impact of unconscious bias in the workplace
- Learn to recognize bias and manage its effects
- Create a work plan on inclusive leadership and managing your own biases
How you will learn
With 1-2 hours of study per week, you can complete this course in about 3 weeks. You’ll learn through videos, readings, and more. To get the certificate and unlimited access to the course materials, you’ll need to pay $49.
#10. Teaching & Learning in the Diverse Classroom (Cornell University)
What does it mean to design an inclusive course? In this 5-module course, you’ll learn why diversity and inclusion efforts matter to teaching and learning, how to apply inclusive, student-centered design and practices, and how to support engagement and success in a diverse classroom. By the course’s end, you’ll be equipped with practical strategies and the foundational knowledge needed for continued self-reflection. The course won the 2020 POD Network Innovation Award.
What you will learn (excerpt)
- Develop a framework for inclusive course design
- Reflect on how social identities (of both students and teachers) influence the teaching and learning environment
- Examine your curriculum for historical patterns of exclusion and inclusion
- Enhance your confidence in modeling inclusive attitudes and practices
How you will learn
With 2-4 hours of study per week, you can expect to complete the course in about 5 weeks. For a verified certificate and unlimited access to the course, the fee is $99.
