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Graduate Certificate Program in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for Educators

Promote a culture of respect, understanding, responsiveness and social responsibility in the classroom with our flexible and affordable online Graduate Certificate in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for Educators.

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Develop Critical Awareness and Leadership Skills for Equity and Inclusion in the Classroom

Explore equity, social justice and inclusive classroom practices with our Graduate Certificate in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for Educators. K-12 teachers can benefit from this four-course online certificate program. Racial and linguistic diversity is increasing in school systems across the county. Such diversity is a strength, but it also presents challenges. Upon program completion, you will embrace a more responsive and inclusive approach to teaching and understand how systems have historically marginalized groups based on race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation and disability.

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Variety of Financial Aid and Scholarships Available

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Complete in as Little as 12 Months

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One of the Most Affordable Tuitions in the Nation

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Apply Anytime

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Key Takeaways

  • Foster equity for racially, culturally, socioeconomically and linguistically diverse learners through teaching practices.
  • Understand the challenges students face who differ from the majority population in language, ethnicity, culture, gender and sexual orientation.
  • Encourage partnerships between schools, families and communities.
  • Explore culturally responsive teaching and social and emotional learning and development.
  • Contemplate thinking, writing, and talking about texts, emphasizing anti-racist literature and social justice.

One Success Leads to Another

Apply credits from lower credentials to higher ones. Our programs are designed to build upon themselves:

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Graduate Certificate Program in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for Educators
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Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction

Curriculum Outline

- Total Course Required: 4 (12 Credits)

Required Courses (3 Courses / 9 Credits)

Elective Courses (1 Course/ 3 Credits)

Course DescriptionsURED

EDUC.5021 Issues, Mandates and Ethics in Special Education (3cr)

This course will examine special education laws and ethical practices in K-12 settings.

Requirements:

CSCE Graduate Restrictions

EDUC.5043 Methods of Teaching Students with Moderate Disabilities-Secondary (3cr)

Examines the methods of teaching students with moderate disabilities at the secondary level. Topics include curriculum (including the Massachusetts frameworks), IEPs, and instructional modifications appropriate for students with special needs.

EDUC.5101 Foundations of Social Justice Education (3cr)

This course provides an introduction to the principles of social justice education, by examining and applying theories and methods of curriculum design, classroom teaching, and social emotional learning and development. This course will prepare educators to foster equity in classroom practice and pedagogy for racially, culturally, socioeconomically, and linguistically diverse learners.

EDUC.5102 Critical Literacies (3cr)

This course will address thinking, writing and talking about texts. It will examine the range of literacies including critical, print, technology, visual, media and informational. A special focus will be on anti-racist literature and texts of social justice.

EDUC.5270 Language Acquisition (3cr)

This course will focus on the study of the acquisition of language and the relationship of language learning to the development of literacy. Students will examine both first and second language acquisition. Students will be expected to apply their knowledge of language acquisition to best teaching practices for enhancing first and second language development in the classroom and to the development of literacy.

Requirements:

CSCE Graduate Restrictions

EDUC.6300 Educating Diverse Populations (3cr)

As the world becomes increasingly diverse, educators must be prepared to examine, confront, and manage the factors that affect the education of all children. This course addresses several central issues focusing on how teachers address the problems that confront students who differ from the majority population in language, ethnicity, culture, gender, and sexual orientation. Ensuring that their families and communities are actively involved in the educational process is also an important component of the course.

Requirements:

CSCE Graduate Restrictions

Graduate Certificate Requirements

Students enrolled in graduate certificate programs through UMass Lowell must complete all courses indicated in the curriculum outline. Students may complete the certificate program at their own pace by registering for and successfully completing one or more courses each semester, depending upon his/her personal time constraints. Students are required to maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.000 with no more than one course grade below B to receive the certificate.

Online courses meet throughout the year during the Fall, Spring and Summer semesters (see Calendar for details). Online students generally log into their online course website one or more times per week to retrieve lectures and assignments or to participate in a chat session. Online students should expect to spend 6 to 10 hours per week engaged in course-related activities for each course. For more information on online courses, visit our online program home page .

Completing a Graduate Certificate Program

Graduate certificate courses must be completed within a five-year period with a minimum 3.000 grade point average and no more than one course with a grade below B. Once all courses for a graduate certificate have been completed, students must complete and submit the Graduate Certificate Clearance Form. Students must submit their clearance form to their coordinator. The coordinator will apply them in SIS, Graduation Tracking.

Tuition & Fees

Tuition at UMass Lowell is typically half the cost of private colleges, and our online tuition is among the lowest in the nation. Tuition for online programs offered through the Division of Graduate, Online & Professional Studies is the same whether you live in-state, out-of-state or outside of the U.S.

Fall 2025 Tuition

 Cost Per Credit Cost Per 3-Credit Course*

Graduate
Online Education1 $470 $1,410
*Tuition is priced on the listed credit hour unless the contact hour is different. Tuition is then based upon the listed contact hour.
1Applies to EDUC courses excluding 7000-level courses.

Additional Costs

 Cost
Term Registration Fee $30
Returned Check Fee $30
Graduate Degree and Certificate Application $50

Please note: Tuition and fees are subject to change.

Tuition Calculator

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Estimate the cost of this program with our online tuition calculator

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Looking for Financial Assistance?

UMass Lowell offers a variety of financial aid and scholarship options.

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Applying into a Graduate Certificate Program

You can apply anytime. There are no deadlines. Applications are accepted throughout the year.

All applicants must submit:
  • An application
  • An application fee ($50)
  • Official transcripts
  • Official test scores
    • GRE not required
    • If English is NOT the national language in your home country, please submit one of the following English proficiency tests:
      • TOEFL: minimum acceptable score is 79
      • IELTS: minimum acceptable score is 6.5
      • Duolingo: minimum acceptable score is 115
      • ASC English: minimum acceptable level is 6
      • PTE: minimum acceptable score is 53

Admission Requirements

  • Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution

Additional Information

F1 student visas are not issued for this program.

You may apply to more than one certificate program but can only take 12 credits maximum before enrolling in an advanced degree.

Certificates must be completed within 5 years.

Official transcripts can be sent to us directly from your previous institution either electronically or mailed to:

Graduate Admissions
University of Massachusetts Lowell
839 Merrimack St., Floor 2
Lowell, MA 01854-5104

We cannot accept previously opened transcripts, photocopies, PDF email attachments or faxed transcripts.

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Questions Regarding Your Graduate Application?

Email Graduate_Admissions@uml.edu or call 800-656-4723 (for U.S. students) or 978-934-2390 (for international students).

For General Assistance:

For general questions about registering for courses or to find out who the advisor is for your graduate program, call 800-480-3190. Our admissions and advising teams are here to help!

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Complete Your Online Graduate Certificate Program in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for Educators from an Award Winning Public University.

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