Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

Reflect on the historical and contemporary processes of organizational equity and inclusion in Canada. Cultivate an equity lens and learn practical strategies, skills and tools to challenge systemic and organizational barriers to equity, diversity and inclusion. Examine your positionality. Ideate an EDI strategy for your organization. Recognize and redistribute power in the workplace and beyond.

As you work toward establishing change and transformation in your organization, this program supports you in:

• addressing issues of inequities, racism and injustice
• recognizing the impact of white supremacy, power and privilege
• developing an in-depth awareness of how these issues manifest in organizational policies, processes and culture.

Learn the building blocks to establishing respectful, equitable and mutually productive relationships in organizational settings.

Use this table to easily compare all of our equity, diversity and inclusion programs.

The program is designed for both employers and employees who want to work effectively to transform their workplaces to be more equitable, safe and inclusive for all. You may have lived experiences as a member of a marginalized community, or you may be an ally hoping to engage in socially just and inclusive change within organizations. Most importantly, this program is for you if you recognize that EDI work is ongoing and difficult, and that it requires critical examination of power and privilege in ourselves, our work environments and society.

Consider this comprehensive program if you’re interested in:

• developing equity and anti-racism strategies for your workplace
• learning how to transform diverse workplaces into inclusive organizations and communities.

You might be a:

• manager, executive or leader
• human resources practitioner
• organizational development specialist
• healthcare or community service professional
• educator, administrator or student service personnel
• community development worker
• independent consultant, corporate trainer or counsellor

Courses range from $425-$1,295. The minimum cost to complete this program including course materials and the $275 graduation application fee is $5,195.

All fees are in Canadian dollars and subject to change. Fees are subject to GST where applicable. Fees may be paid by Visa®, Visa® Debit, Mastercard®, American Express®, money order or certified cheque.

This program is eligible for the StrongerBC future skills grant. To learn more about this grant available to BC residents see the “StrongerBC future skills grant” information below.  

For details on UBC’s payment policies, please see Refunds, Cancellations and Transfers.

Designed and taught by professionals with lived experience and committed allies, the curriculum reflects the voices and perspectives of members of equity-deserving communities.

Explore EDI concepts, theoretical frameworks and methods through case studies, self-reflection and analysis. Engage in online dialogue with fellow participants and facilitators to reach a higher level of awareness and effectiveness in addressing issues of inequity, power and discrimination in various contexts. Apply what you learn to specific cases and situations from your own life.

All courses offer:

• experiential learning methods incorporating varied activities to accommodate different learning styles
• a balance of theory and practice to support cognitive, interpersonal and practical skills development

To complete the program, you must take the required course, Anti-Racism Strategies for the Workplace, and any combination of elective courses so your course work totals 170 hours or more.

15 hours courses are: 0144, 0146, 0147, 0148, 0149, 0150, 0151      

40 hours courses are: 0136, 0137, 0138, 0141, 0142   

Required Courses

Elective Courses

This part-time program consists of one required course and electives chosen from short EDI/Anti-racism courses, and longer diversity and inclusion (D&I) courses. To graduate, you must complete at least 170 hours of courses.

Depending on which elective courses and options you choose, you can complete this program 100% online. Courses are facilitated by educators, practitioners and experts, and have a start and end date. You progress through the course with the same group of students. All of the courses are open for registration to anyone at any time. There is no requirement to take the full certificate program.

Expected effort

For each course, be prepared to spend approximately seven hours per week completing learning activities, including readings, assignments, posting and responding to online group discussions, and other projects. You are required to log in to your course at least every other day. We strongly recommend taking only one course at a time if you are working or studying full-time.

Technology requirements

To take this program, you need access to:

• an email account
• a computer, laptop or tablet, using Windows or macOS
• the latest version of a web browser (or previous major version release)
• a reliable internet connection

Assessment

Courses are graded as complete/incomplete. You’re evaluated based on standards and competencies established by facilitators, program administrators, and an advisory board.

At the end of each course, you will be notified if you successfully met the requirements for the course.

Obtaining your certificate

You graduate and can request your certificate after successfully completing a total of 170 hours of courses, including the required course, 15 hours, and at least 155 hours of electives. To submit your graduation request:

• Complete the graduation request form and pay the $275 non-refundable graduation evaluation fee.
• Include a 700-word synthesis paper that reflects on your learning.

To accommodate learners from a variety of backgrounds in the UBC Certificate in Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion program, we have broad criteria and request that you ensure you can meet the following requirements:

• Post-secondary education and/or extensive life experience
• Fluency in English, including good written and verbal communication skills
• The academic, interpersonal and communication skills to support active participation in this dynamic program
• Approximately seven hours a week to spend on a course
• Able to access the minimum technology requirements.

Follow these steps to start the program

1. Please read and understand the program handbook before starting this program as it contains information about the program, graduation requirements, expectations and policies.
2. To have courses you complete count toward the certificate, we ask you to write a 500-word letter of intent communicating your interest in the program, your expectations, and personal and career goals. This letter lets us know for our student records that you are pursuing the certificate. Please email your letter of intent to edi.exl@ubc.ca.
3. You track your courses and hours on your own. You don’t need to inform us of what courses you are taking or when, as long as you are taking eligible courses. However, we ask you to complete the 170 hours of course work within three years of submitting your letter of intent.