Do I need a DEI Certification?

One of the questions I frequently get from aspiring DEI professionals is “do I need a DEI certification to work in this field?” My short answer is no. There are many different paths into the field of DEI and a variety of jobs; not everyone will have the same needs when it comes to DEI education. I think the more important question to ask is, “what do I want to do in DEI?” Once you get clear about that, determining the right learning journey for you will become much easier. Let me state clearly that I have no issue with anyone choosing a certification as an option for education, but it is important to understand which form of education is right for you. My hope is that this information will help guide you on your own path.

Let’s talk about the difference between certificates and certifications. Although they sound similar, they are not the same. Becoming “certified” usually comes with a set of credentials that indicates you have passed an examination and verifies a certain expectation of knowledge, training, and experience in the particular field. A certification is granted by an accredited organization or association. On the other hand, you can get a certificate for completing an online or in-person course on pretty much any topic. That certificate indicates that you have completed the course, but does not necessarily confirm one’s retention of the information or ability to apply the knowledge in the real world. Both certificates and certifications can provide an education that will help equip you for a career in DEI.

One of the most popular certificates is from eCornell. They actually offer several DEI certificates differentiated by who should take the course and key takeaways. The programs are 2-3 months long, virtual, and cost ~$3600 (it appears there are occasional discounts and the ability to split the payment over multiple months). According to their website, they provide “professional development certificate programs, there are no prerequisites or formal admission processes required for enrollment.” It is important to note that the DEI certificates from eCornell provide eligible credits toward recertification with the HRCI and SHRM. Check out their website to get a better understanding of the different options.

As a part of the DEI Career Conversations series, I asked Amazon DEI Sr. Business Partner, Gary Cooper, about his own experience with the eCornell DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION FOR HR, and this is what he had to say about it (watch a clip here):

“I had no HR background… so that certification program was good for me to get a broad overview of the different pieces of HR. The actual D&I education in that course is quite a beginner. It was a good thing for me to put on my LinkedIn, but I do worry that as these certifications continue, we are creating the same barriers we already have.”

On the other hand, the Institute for Diversity Certification offers both the Certified Diversity Professional (CDP) and the Certified Diversity Executive (CDE) certifications. Both have a list of requirements you must meet in order to take the exam, including a minimum of two years experience, which the website states “ can be demonstrated in a variety of different ways.” Several organizations offer courses to help you prepare for these certifications (I’ll list a couple below). Check out the IDP website for more information about the two certifications and the expected performance outcomes for each credential. There are other organizations that offer their own version of a certification. I highly recommend getting in touch with these organizations and doing additional research to learn more.

For most jobs in DEI, neither of these are a requirement. But if you are considering a certification or a certificate, you may want to think beyond just a DEI certification. I recommend looking at courses in project management, change management, data analytics, and/or executive coaching to help give you the skills you need to succeed in this career.

So how do you know what’s right for you?

1. Gain clarity about your DEI career goals

2. Research the various roles that meet your DEI Career Goals. Examine the requirements and expectations for those roles

3. Assess your time, budget, and commitment to the process. Some certificates can be completed in just a few hours and are self-paced, whereas preparing for certifications may require more of a time commitment, and many require recertification to keep your credentials

If you need additional help, the DEI Career Center has the resources you need to take the next step in your DEI Career journey. You can check out our one-hour, on-demand, Intro to DEI Careers Course which provides insights into some of the most common roles in corporate DEI. The course also includes a workbook to help you assess your skills and includes more than 8 hours of recommend free or low cost DEI online courses. Or check out our 1:1 DEI Career Coaching offerings (the Clarity Call and Resume Audit include access to the course ). We’ll help you reduce the headache of job searching by gaining clarity about which roles are right for you.

DEI certifications and certificates

• Certification Programs

  • DiversityFirst™ CDP Program

  • CDP and CDE at the Institute for Diversity Certification

  • National Diversity Council Certified Diversity Professional

• Certificates

  • eCornell:

    • D&I for HR Certificate

    • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Building a Diverse Workforce

    • Leadership DEI Certificate

  • USF: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Workplace Certificate

• College Programs:

  • For anyone still in undergrad or graduate school, more colleges and universities, including Penn State, Waldorf University, and the University of Michigan, are beginning to create DEI programs for their students.

(inclusion on this list does not imply my promotion)