Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Certificate Program FAQ
About the Certificate
What does DEI stand for?
DEI is the abbreviation for Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion.
Who is eligible to participate in the DEI Certificate program?
Participation is open to all full time faculty and staff on the Oxford, Hamilton, Middletown and Voice of America campuses. In an effort to enrich the personal experiences and interpersonal interactions of each participant, a limited number of faculty and staff applications will be selected each year.
Are there any prerequisites for this program?
Participants in the certificate program are required to complete Safe Zone Training 101 either before or during enrollment in the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Certificate program. It is also an expectation that participants complete any mandatory employee online diversity-related and bias training modules required by the university.
Who are the facilitators?
The DEI Certificate Program Director and a diverse group of Miami University staff, faculty, and administrators will contribute to the certificate program as facilitators.
What do I get for participating in and completing the DEI Certificate program?
For participating in this 18–hour certificate program, you will receive a textbook, lunch at each core workshop session, a free Culture Intelligence (CQ) Assessment Self-Report, coaching sessions, and Personal Development Plan.
Upon completion of all requirements, participants receive a Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Fellow Certificate that will be awarded at the annual University Diversity & inclusion Awards Reception hosted by The President’s Office & Office of Institutional Diversity & Inclusion.
What is the time commitment?
Each participant must commit to attending every session and any other required meetings as determined by the Program Director.
How long do I have to complete the certificate program requirements?
Participants will have one academic year to complete the certificate program.
Applying to the Program
How often is the certificate program offered?
The certificate program is offered once an academic year at the start of Fall Semester.
What is the process if I have previously applied to the DEI Certificate program?
Previous applicants who were not selected should submit a new application if they would like to be considered.
What does it cost to participate in the DEI certificate program?
The certificate program is centrally funded at Miami so there is no cost to faculty and staff.
How do I know if I am accepted into the DEI Certificate Program?
Faculty and staff accepted into the certificate program will be notified by the Certificate Program Director.
Coursework
What is the program format of the certificate program?
The DEI Certificate program consists of a pre- and post-cultural intelligence (CQ) assessment, 10–hours core in-person sessions, 2-hours of certificate elective sessions, 2 hours of attendance at a Miami-sponsored diversity-related event, independent learning, and assignments, supplemental reading, video, and a Signature Project. The certificate program engages participants in self-analysis & assessment, experiential learning exercises, case study analysis, role plays, workplace scenarios, dialogue & discussion, and Q&A.
What are the five Diversity & Inclusion Core Workshop Sessions?
The five-core diversity and inclusion sessions will be focused on various topics such as Workplace Diversity, Inclusion, EEOC, Cultural Intelligence (CQ), Race and Racial Justice, Social Justice, Disability, Inclusive Leadership, Belonging, Microaggressions, Implicit (Unconscious) Bias, Intersectionality and Social Identities, Power & Privilege, Gender, and Equity. These core workshops are required for all participants in the DEI Certificate program. Each core workshop will be 2 hours long, must be taken in sequential order, and is held on the Oxford campus. Participants accepted into the program will be provided with all dates and locations of the various core workshops.
What are “certificate elective sessions”?
In order to meet the needs of a group or interests of individual participants, up to 2 hours of elective diversity and inclusion-related sessions may be taken for credit. Examples of these elective sessions include but are not limited to Safe Zone Training, Inclusion in the Classroom, Managing Diverse Teams, and DEI Events sponsored by partners such as the Chamber of Commerce & Ohio Diversity Council.
What are the Signature Project requirements?
As a capstone to the DEI Certificate program, each participant that has completed all the requirements will lead a project that allows synthesis and application of knowledge and skills acquired through the diversity and inclusion certificate training program to real-world issues and problems. Participants will submit a description of the project with a projected timeline of completion prior to starting work on the Signature Experience Project.
Examples of Signature Experience Projects include the following:
- Program for students
- Update in curriculum (design or readings)
- Submission of an article for publication or a conference presentation
- Presentation (or Workshop Facilitation) for faculty, staff, departmental colleagues, students or the community