Overview

The primary purpose of the diversity and equity in education program is to develop capacities of educators and other professionals to support cultural diversity and culturally responsive learning and living.This interdisciplinary program emphasizes the cultivation of dispositions, attitudes, knowledge and skills that are critical to teaching diverse students in today’s schools and working in any other settings where diversity is both present and valued.  

Here is what the program can do for you:

• Help you enter and succeed in a wide variety of careers and occupations in various settings, including: 
  • Educational institutions
  • Social services
  • Human resources
  • Corporate/public administration
  • Other fields with increasing demand for diversity skills
• Act as a stepping stone to a doctoral program in social foundations of education, educational policy and related areas
• Enhance your understanding of the intersection of diversity and education, including the needs of English-language learners
• Enhance your understanding of the ways diversity operates in different settings and of how diversity is portrayed in popular culture

For educators in P-12 settings, the program can:

• Teach you how to engage and increase academic performance of all of your students, including: 
  • Students of color
  • Economically disadvantaged students
  • English-language learners
• Help you learn how to enhance student skills in areas such as empathy and respect
• Develop your capacity to be effective as a teacher of diverse students

This program is offered through the Department of Educational Leadership in the School of Education, Health and Human Behavior.