Program Overview

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Undergraduate Certificate in Diversity Studies

The Undergraduate Certificate in Diversity Studies is designed to provide students with a deeper understanding of ethical issues related to discrimination and intolerance. This 12-credit program aims to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to foster more inclusive policies and attitudes in their workplaces and communities.

Program Summary

The program focuses on exploring the differences and similarities that exist within diverse societies. By acquiring a deeper understanding of cultures and human interaction, students can lay the groundwork for better communication and enhanced relationships in all facets of their lives. This certificate complements a variety of majors, such as psychology and labor and human resources.

Course Work

The program consists of a prescribed course, additional courses, and supporting courses.

Prescribed Course (3 credits)

• WMNST 105N: Living in a Diverse World This course uses literature, film, and scholarly texts to explore how conceptions of social difference shape society and everyday interactions historically and today.

Additional Courses (select 3 credits)

• AFAM 100N: Black Freedom Struggles This course explores what it means to be Black in America, engaging with questions about identity and authenticity, freedom and unfreedom, radicalism and reform, gender and sexuality, and the role of music in African American life.
• WMNST 100: Introduction to Women's and Gender Studies This course reviews scholarly theories and research pertaining to women’s experiences and women’s status in contemporary American society.
• WMNST 106N: Representing Women and Gender in Literature, Art, and Popular Cultures This course explores scholarly theories and research pertaining to women and gender while experiencing examples of contemporary women’s creative practice through the visual arts, media, and popular culture.
• ENGL 245: Introduction to LGBTQ Studies This course learns about the dominant themes in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Studies, with an emphasis on both literary and cultural studies.
• WMNST 245: Introduction to LGBTQ Studies This course learns about the dominant themes in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Studies, with an emphasis on both literary and cultural studies.

Supporting Courses (select 6 credits)

• AFAM 409: Racial and Ethnic Inequality in America The impact of inequality and discrimination on individual and group identity among various racial and ethnic groups.
• SOC 409: Racial and Ethnic Inequality in America The impact of inequality and discrimination on individual and group identity among various racial and ethnic groups.
• AFR 110N: Introduction to Contemporary Africa Consideration of influences and forces shaping modern African society; analysis of current local and global problems and issues facing Africa.
• AMST 140Y: Religion in American Life and Thought The course aims to cast light on contemporary religious life in the United States by looking at the history of American religion.
• ANTH 1: Understanding Humans This course tells the story of humankind, how we as a species developed, and how modern Homo sapiens have developed more cultural complexity over time.
• ANTH 45N: Cultural Diversity: A Global Perspective This course is designed to introduce students to the concepts and evidence used in understanding the cultural diversity of our planet.
• ASIA 100: What is Asia? What are the factors that bind and define a region? What makes a geographical area, a set of cultures, or a certain group of people into a single entity? Who decides? Asian history provides a view of how a region is formed and reshaped over time.
• BBH 302: Diversity and Health Examines the relationship diverse personal and sociocultural factors have with health.
• BBH 315: Gender and Biobehavioral Health Interdisciplinary study of gender, examining the interaction of biological, behavioral, and sociocultural factors on health differentials throughout the lifespan.
• CAS 271N: Intercultural Communication Focus on topics such as language, identity, prejudice, and intergroup relations on a domestic/international level.
• CAS 426W: Communication Ethics Ethical issues in public and private communication; role of communication in expressing and realizing individual and social values.
• CAS 455: Gender Roles in Communications Explores the literature on gender research in the discipline of human communication.
• CAS 475: Studies in Public Address History and criticism of public discourse; intensive analysis of selected public addresses and social movements.
• CMLIT 10: World Literatures The development of literature around the world - from epic, legend, lyric, etc. in the oral tradition to modern written forms.
• CMLIT 153: International Cultures: Film and Literature Comparison of narrative techniques employed by literature and film in portraying different cultures, topics may vary each semester.
• COMM 205: Gender, Diversity, and the Media Examines diversity, equity, and inclusion issues in media content, media business, and media practice.
• CRIM 201: Presumed Innocent? Social Science of Wrongful Conviction The criminal justice system is a human creation and some errors are expected. Sometimes guilty parties go free and sometimes innocent people are convicted.
• SOC 201: Presumed Innocent? Social Science of Wrongful Conviction The criminal justice system is a human creation and some errors are expected. Sometimes guilty parties go free and sometimes innocent people are convicted.
• CSD 269: Deaf Culture Explores the economic, social, psychological, and political aspects of the deaf culture and its interaction with the majority hearing culture.
• ENGL 245: Introduction to LGBTQ Studies Learn about the dominant themes in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Studies, with an emphasis on both literary and cultural studies.
• WMNST 245: Introduction to LGBTQ Studies Learn about the dominant themes in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Studies, with an emphasis on both literary and cultural studies.
• HDFS 249N: Adult Development and Aging Physiological, psychological, and social development and intervention from young adulthood through old age.
• HDFS 250: Sexual Identity over the Life Span Concepts of affectional and sexual orientation over life span, with emphasis on lesbian and gay male personal, family, and community adaptation.
• HDFS 254N: Reading Our Lives: Understanding Diversity and Human Development through Memoirs Students will explore the way people and their environments interact to influence human development through the integration of memoirs and other personal narratives, humanist themes and methods of inquiry, and social science theory and research.
• HIST 447: Recent American History Contemporary economic, social, and political aspects of the United States and its role as a world power since 1945.
• HIST 458Y: History of Work in America A study of selected problems in the history of work in the United States, especially since 1877.
• LHR 458: History of Work in America A study of selected problems in the history of work in the United States, especially since 1877.
• HIST 479: History of Imperialism and Nationalism in Africa A selective overview of the history of imperialism and nationalism in Africa.
• OLEAD 410: Leadership in a Global Context This course explores the science and practice of leadership around the globe through pertinent scholarly literature and related instructional resources.
• OLEAD 411: Women and Leadership Overviews scholarship relating to women in positions of leadership in groups and organizations, as well as obstacles to their success.
• PLSC 210N: Rights in America This course explores the historical and contemporary struggles of particular groups within American society to expand their rights.
• RHS 100: Introduction to Disability Culture This course is designed to increase student awareness of personal, interpersonal, and societal aspects of disability, including how disability can be defined and understood differently in varied individual, institutional, and cultural contexts.
• RLST 1: Introduction to World Religions The course introduces students to the academic study of religion as well as to some of the major religious traditions of the world.
• RPTM 120: Leisure and Human Behavior Leisure from historical and contemporary perspectives, including forces shaping leisure behavior, and relationships among leisure, the environment, and social institutions.
• SOC 119N: Race, Ethnicity, and Culture Focuses on historical patterns and current status of racial, ethnic and cultural groups and issues locally, nationally, and internationally.
• SOC 456: Gender, Occupations, and Professions The role of gender in shaping contemporary North American patterns of employment, occupational roles, and statuses.
• SPLED 461: Introduction to Autism Spectrum Disorders This course will include an overview of characteristics and learning traits, classification systems, assessment strategies/issues, approaches, and interventions related to individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs).
• WMNST 100: Introduction to Women's and Gender Studies Review scholarly theories and research pertaining to women’s experiences and women’s status in contemporary American society.
• WMNST 106N: Representing Women and Gender in Literature, Art, and Popular Cultures Explore scholarly theories and research pertaining to women and gender while experiencing examples of contemporary women’s creative practice through the visual arts, media, and popular culture.
• WMNST 120: Sex, Gender, and the Body This introductory course considers core topics in the field of feminist sexuality studies to both unsettle popular mainstream discourses on sexuality and to aid students in developing a more comprehensive, inclusive, and ethical lens through which to view intersections of gender, sexuality, and the body.

Career Opportunities

The skills and knowledge gained from this program can be applied in various industries, including human resources, social welfare, education, and health and medicine. Students can leverage their understanding of and respect for diversity to become change agents in their communities.

Tuition and Financial Aid

The tuition for the Undergraduate Certificate in Diversity Studies is calculated based on the number of credits for which a student registers. The rates are assessed every semester of enrollment.

Undergraduate Tuition

• For students with 59 or fewer credits: $638 per credit
• For students with 60 or more credits: $685 per credit

Payment Options

Penn State offers various payment options, including an installment plan and third-party payments. The Penn State World Campus also offers an Employer Reimbursement and Tuition Deferment Plan.

Military Benefits

Military service members, veterans, and their spouses or dependents may be eligible for military education benefits and financial aid opportunities.

Application Instructions

To apply for the Undergraduate Certificate in Diversity Studies, students must review the admission requirements and determine the appropriate application path.

Admission Requirements

• High school graduate or equivalent
• If already enrolled in a World Campus degree program, students can complete this certificate along with their degree program
• If not enrolled in a World Campus degree program, students can pursue this certificate as a nondegree student

Application Path

• If previously enrolled in this certificate or another program, students may need to submit the Undergraduate Nondegree Enrollment Form instead of the Undergraduate Certificate Application
• If previously accepted to a different certificate program and now wish to enroll in this one, students will need to apply for this certificate using the Undergraduate Certificate Application

Application Deadlines

• Spring Deadline: December 22
• Summer Deadline: May 10
• Fall Deadline: August 16

Who Should Apply

This program is suitable for individuals who want to:

• Translate their curiosities, experiences, passions, and interests into meaningful work
• Seek out inclusive environments and better understand various points of view
• Delve into the subjects of gender equity, human rights, and social justice

Set Your Own Pace

The program allows students to finish their certificate in one or two years, depending on their course load.

To Finish the Certificate in One Year

• Take 2 courses each semester

To Finish the Certificate in Two Years

• Take 1 course each semester

Convenient Online Format

The program's online format provides flexibility, allowing students to study around their busy schedules without sacrificing the quality of their education.

A Trusted Leader in Online Education

Penn State has a history of more than 100 years of distance education, and World Campus has been a leader in online learning for more than two decades. The online learning environment offers the same quality education as traditional, face-to-face classes on Penn State's campuses.