University of Kentucky®
Graduate Certificate in
Senior Diversity Officer Leadership
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PROGRAM DETAILS
FORMAT
TOTAL CREDITS 9
CREDENTIALS Certificate
COST PER CREDIT
$753.00
- UK Online
- All Programs
- Graduate Certificates
- Senior Diversity Officer Leadership
About this Program
Become an innovative leader working on integrating diversity and inclusiveness roles in your future career. This online program will prepare you to fulfill executive positions and gain leadership knowledge to promote organizational change.
This program offers rolling admission. Submit your application prior to the deadline to receive a timely decision.
Designed For
This program is ideal for those who have a commitment to fostering inclusive environments and seek to lead and drive impactful change towards greater inclusivity and equity within their workplaces.
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Fill out this form to be sent information on the Graduate Certificate in Senior Diversity Officer Leadership program, including deadlines, tuition, application requirements and more!
What You’ll Learn
Develop the competencies needed to serve as a leader for inclusive excellence and organizational change. Gain the leadership knowledge and skills needed to fill executive level positions and pursue innovative best practices in your DEI work and future career. Be mentored by experienced senior diversity officers from across the nation.
A significant feature of the Graduate Certificate and new Ph.D. Specialization in Diversity Equity and Inclusion will be the opportunity to network and build mentoring relationships with senior diversity officers active in the field. Through partnerships with INSIGHT into Diversity Magazine, the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education, and the UK College of Education’s Education and Civil Rights Initiative in collaboration with the NAACP, students will build a network of connections and mentored relationships to assure success in their careers.
Course Examples
- EPE 751 Strategy, Structure, & Change Management for Senior Diversity Leadership
- EPE 752 Policy & Practice SDO Leadership
- Students will also complete one guided elective course in organizational leadership from a pre-existing selection in the Department of Educational Leadership.
GOT QUESTIONS?
Schedule time to meet with a representative from the Senior Diversity Officer Leadership program to talk about your unique situation.
How to Apply
Admissions Criteria
- Must have obtained a baccalaureate degree, prior to the start of the admission term, from a fully accredited U.S. institution of higher learning or from a recognized foreign institution. See Graduate School admissions for specifics.
- An overall grade point average of 2.75 on undergraduate work and 3.00 on all graduate work, if applicable.
- International applicants whose native language is not English must submit either a TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System) score. See Graduate School admissions for specifics.
Application Requirements
- CV Personal Statement -A narrative statement that highlights your career progression to present and identifies how your professional experience relates to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Also identify how you plan to use this certificate.
- Two letters of recommendation (provide email contact only)
- At the request of program faculty, an interview (via phone or zoom) may be required.
- Official transcripts
Program Contact
Deadlines
Fall 2025
Spring 2025
Summer 2025
Why UK Online
Once you become a student, you will have access to a wide variety of academic support services to maximize your success.
No test scores required.
Degrees are conferred by the University of Kentucky, an accredited university.
Save money by paying for only 9 standard credit hours per semester, even if you take more.
Fit learning into your busy schedule with no prescribed class times.
Frequently Asked Questions
Admissions
Do I need to have a master's degree to enroll in this graduate certificate?
The only degree needed to enroll in a graduate certificate program is a bachelor's degree.
Can I take this graduate certificate by itself?
Yes, graduate certificates can be taken by themselves. Our graduate certificate programs are designed to allow students to gain very specific skills and knowledge in a shorter amount of time than our degree programs in similar areas. Certificate programs can be useful to your career by itself, or when coupled with a degree-bearing program. This choice is completely up to the student.
What is the admission criteria?
Please view the Admission Criteria section, located under "How to Apply" on this page.
Tuition
Is financial aid available if this is the only program I enroll in?
Federal financial aid is not available to students who only enroll in a certificate program.
How much does the online program cost?
The tuition rate for this program is listed at the top of this page. If you still have questions, please reach out to the program representative.
I'm not in Kentucky. What's my tuition rate?
For our fully-online programs, it does not matter what state you live in. The rate is the same no matter where you live.
Online Learning
Will I have to attend class at a specific time?
No, all classes are asynchronous. This means that students complete the course requirements according to the syllabus and deadlines, but they have flexibility within their own schedule to complete coursework at times that work best for their schedule. We recommend students log in everyday to ensure they are staying on top of communication and assignments.
What should I expect in online classes?
It's important to know how to approach learning in an online program. Online classes are not harder nor easier than in-person classes, but they are different due to their asynchronous modality. This means students should expect to:
Develop a routine: Login to your online class routinely (we recommend at least once daily) to receive updates and contribute meaningfully to any ongoing discussions.
Be good time managers: Determine when you have time to work on coursework throughout the week so you don't fall behind or put off assignments until the last minute.
Communicate: If you are having any trouble, message your peers and/or your instructor right away to ask for help or clarification. Never be afraid to reach out to your instructors or Student Affairs if you need assistance--we have many resources to help you, but we need to know your situation to act accordingly on your behalf.
If you need additional support in navigating the online classroom, Canvas (our learning management system) has a number of helpful tools, including a module for new students that walks through everything you need to know about navigating information in your online class.
Are there any on-campus requirements?
No, there is no on-campus requirement.
Ready to Take Your Next Step?
Our team is here to help you with the next stage of your journey. Reach out to us today!
Distance Learning Authorization & Licensure
Where you live matters when completing distance education activities. If you will live outside of Kentucky while completing your program, please check the Distance Learning Authorization & Licensure page to confirm that the program can be offered in your state or country, and if relevant, that it meets professional licensure requirements in your state. Please note: Admission and enrollment in a fully-online program can NOT lead to the issuance of a J-1 or F-1 student visa.
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