Now more than ever, top-tier employees and applicants are looking for a holistic work environment. Competitive pay, benefits, and growth opportunities remain crucial to attracting the best talent, but those traditional asks are now partnered with a desire for assured equitable circumstances, diverse environments, and confirmed inclusion opportunities for all employees.  Diversity, equity, and inclusion specialists make it their mission to ensure that an organization’s people are being treated fairly, with respect, and are aware of the opportunities available to them.

What is an educational program in Diversity?

Diversity is about inclusion. Diversity studies programs typically focus on the most recognized diversity domains of race and ethnicity, social class, gender, sexual orientation, and disability.The curriculum reveals to students that the world is becoming both smaller and more complex. It seeks to instill in them respect towards all diverse peoples and groups. It prepares them to live and work in a diverse global society. It provides opportunities to examine and discuss inequalities and challenges faced by various groups, and exposes how diversity affects our relationships. Diversity studies look at diverse groups through many different lenses including history, politics, sociology, psychology, culture, religion, education, law, and media.

What does an educational program in Diversity cover?

At the undergraduate level, a diversity studies program most often leads to a bachelor’s degree. Some schools offer an associate degree or certificate in the field. In some cases, the difference among these three credentials is essentially in name only. In other cases, the bachelor’s program is longer and is distinguished by wider and more in-depth study of the topics addressed. Some associate programs may combine classes in the major with general education courses in mathematics, English composition, communications, and the social sciences.

Here is an overview of courses that may be part of an undergraduate program in diversity studies. Specific course content will vary from school to school. In some cases, the differences depend on the research specializations of the teaching faculty.

Core Requirements

• Introduction to Diversity Studies – understanding diversity in the United States; concepts introduced include privilege, domination, deculturalization, socialization, and marginalization

• Democracy, Diversity, and Education – exploration of the social, philosophical, ideological, and historical foundations of diversity in the United States; the role of education and democratic society in embracing diversity

Diversity Domain – Race / Ethnicity

• Introduction to African American Studies – discussion of the foundation, nature, scope, and structure of African American Studies in American universities

• Race, Law, and Religion in America – examination of race in America through the lenses of law and religion; discussion of the progressive and regressive roles that law and religion can play in creating and resolving difficult human problems

• Comparative Study of Injustice – a look at different approaches to civil and human rights in selected developed and developing countries; the past apartheid system of South Africa, the Rwandan genocide, attempts of ethnic cleansing in parts of the world, segregation in the US

• Politics of Race – the contradictions of democracy and racial hierarchy/white supremacy, examined through discussions of issues like partisanship, voter turnout, and the war on drugs

• Race and Ethnic Relations – causes and consequences of prejudice and discrimination in the US and other societies

What types of jobs are available for Diversity graduates?

Understanding of and appreciation for diversity are valued in any professional role and in life in general. A degree in diversity studies, therefore, can lead graduates to careers in a particularly wide array of sectors. While the employment sectors and roles listed below are not exhaustive, they do represent this versatility. Some occupations may require further education and experience.

Possible Employment Sectors

• Behavioral health clinics

• Community centers

• Corporate human resources departments

• Educational institutions

• Government and community organizations

• Mental health facilities

• Non-profit agencies

• Religious organizations

• Residential care facilities