The certificate program in diversity and equity studies prepares students to understand diversity. Possessing skills to work effectively with diverse colleagues, clients and leaders is fundamental to competitiveness in the increasingly diverse and transnational labor market.
Those who possess the skills that enable them to work effectively with diverse colleagues, clients, and leaders have a competitive edge in the increasingly transnational labor market.
This certificate program in diversity and equity studies develops students' intercultural competence through knowledge gained related to the histories, practices and perspectives of diverse groups, both local and global.
Reflecting on this knowledge permits students to develop strategies to work with and through differences of gender, race, ethnicity, sexuality, age, religion and class. Integrative social sciences perspectives enable bridge-building within and across differences to redress inequalities.
At A Glance
Diversity and Equity Studies (Certificate)
- Offered by: New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences
- Location: West
Application requirements
All students are required to meet general university admission requirements:
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Financial Aid
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of income, can qualify for some form of financial aid. In fact,
more than 70 percent of all ASU students receive some form of
financial assistance every year.
Program requirements
Degree requirements
The diversity and equity studies certificate requires a minimum of 15 credit hours (at least 12 must be upper-division), as outlined below. Students are encouraged to take courses that develop breadth rather than limiting their selection to courses in one particular discipline.
Additional certificate requirements:
- All 15 credit hours must be completed through the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences in the New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences.
- A maximum of six credit hours may be shared between a certificate and a New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences major.
- Only courses in which a student receives a grade of "C" (2.00 on a 4.00 scale) or higher may be used to meet the certificate requirements.
- A maximum of three credit hours of individualized instruction or internship may be applied toward the certificate.
Required Core Courses (3 credit hours)
SBS 301 Cultural Diversity, (L or SB) and C (3)
Certificate Elective Courses (12 credit hours)
Students will select 12 credit hours from coursework related to diversity and equity studies. Selected courses must come from at least two of the following prefixes to develop breadth across disciplines: ASB, POS, SBS, or SOC.
Examples of electives include, but are not limited to:
ASB 211 Women in Other Cultures, (HU or SB) and G (3)
ASB 311 Principles of Social Anthropology, SB, G and H (3)
ASB 340/SOC 328 Migration and Culture, SB and G (3)
ASB 346 Marriage and Family Diversity, SB and C (3)
ASB/POS/SBS/SOC 394/494 Special Topics (1-4)
e.g. POS 494: Everyday Forms of Resistance
ASB/POS/SBS/SOC 484 Internship (1-12)
ASB/POS/SBS/SOC 499 Individualized Instruction (1-3)
POS 357 South Asia Politics, SB and G (3)
POS 436 Gender, Sexuality, Nation-States (3)
POS 437 Women, Power, and Politics, G (3)
POS 438 Latino Politics, SB and C (3)
SBS/ASB/SOC 342 Mexico-US Borderlands, SB and C (3)
SBS/ASB/POS 447 Citizenship, Nationalism, and Identity, SB and C (3)
SBS 460/ASB 442 Global Cities, SB and G (3)
SOC 241 Modern Social Problems, SB (3)
SOC 264 Gender and Society, SB and C (3)
SOC 270 Racial and Ethnic Relations, SB and C (3)
SOC 339 Grassroots Social Movements, SB (3)
SOC 371 Inequality and Sustainability (3)
SOC 400 Perspectives on Aging, SB (3)
SOC 426 Social Inequality, SB (3)
SOC 457 Global Social Movements, SB and G (3)
Depending upon a student's undergraduate program of study, prerequisite courses may be needed in order to complete the requirements of this certificate.
Enrollment requirements
Students should contact an advisor in the New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences for more information.
A student pursuing an undergraduate certificate must be enrolled as a degree-seeking student at ASU. Undergraduate certificates are not awarded prior to the award of an undergraduate degree. A student already holding an undergraduate degree may pursue an undergraduate certificate as a nondegree-seeking graduate student.
Career outlook
This certificate is valuable to those pursuing careers in medicine, law, business and management, public policy, human resources, media, government and community advocacy. Possible careers include nonprofit worker, diversity officer, youth counselor, crisis response counselor, social worker and counselor.