Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

The Science of Unconscious Bias
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Course Enrollment

Duration
8 Weeks, 5-6 hours a week
Form
100% Online
Cost
$750 or 3 installments of $250
Start Date
Begins every two weeks. Please enroll now to select your start date.

Who is this program for?

This course is designed to ensure that the learner has an opportunity to focus inward and outward to gain a full understanding of how our brain works with us and without us, why our brain is wired to use bias in problem-solving, and how to re-wire those decisions to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion.
 
DEI helps to build fully inclusive and equitable organizations with activities that include audit, recommending, and implementing policies, practices, programs, and organizational behaviors that foster authentic diversity, equity, and inclusion.
 
In this course, you will build your awareness of your biases, build your knowledge of different cultures, build your skills around cross-cultural communication, negotiation, and conflict resolution,  and then challenge yourself to move beyond your comfort zone to have encounters with differences.
Open Concept Office, Where a Work Meeting is Being Held

Why take a Program on DEI?

male worker in wheelchair having cheerful discussion leading conversation with colleague in creative office workstation

We have to do the work of educating ourselves on issues of equity. Part of that is introspection, raising our awareness of our biases. We talk about cultural competence as being comprised of four components — cultural awareness, cultural knowledge, cultural skills, and cultural encounters.

Building your awareness of your biases, building your knowledge of different cultures, building your skills around cross-cultural communication, negotiation, conflict resolution, and then challenging yourself to move beyond your comfort zone to have encounters with difference.

According to the most recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 57% of women and 38% of people of color are actively in the American workforce.

There is a mounting demand for DEI experts in everything from education to finance.

Course Overview

DEI helps to build fully inclusive and equitable organizations with activities that include audit, recommending, and implementing policies, practices, programs, and organizational behaviors that foster authentic diversity, equity, and inclusion.

51 Learning Videos
45 Quizzes
18 Case Studies

After completing this credential, you will be able to:

  • Learn about your personal biases, including through feedback.
  • Define diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and its business case.
  • Understand how our attitudes toward differences impact our behaviors in ways that lend a sense of inclusion or exclusion to our colleagues, students, and clients.
  • Understand the science and dynamics of unconscious bias.
  • Identify strategies and best practices for mitigating bias.
  • Describe the skills necessary to affirm others, be an ally, develop cultural competence, and be an inclusive leader.

Module 1: Anticipatory Set and Course Overview

Module 2: The Science of Unconscious Bias

Module 3: Attitudes Towards Diversity

Module 4: Unconscious Bias-The Dynamics of Science

Module 5: Unconscious Bias-Implications

Module 6: How to Affirm Others and Be an Ally?

Module 7: Transforming Organizational Culture

Module 8: Action Planning Inclusive Leader

Upon completion of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion micro-credential program, learners will be eligible to apply for job titles including Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer, Human Resources/People Officer, Executive Officer/Organizational Leadership, Consultant (Talent, HR, Community), as well as Learning and Development Specialist/Training Coordinator.

Subject Matter Expert

Damita Byrd, CDP, BCT Partners
Sr. Director Diversity Equity & Inclusion

Ms. Damita Byrd is a Certified Diversity and Inclusion Professional with proven experience in human resources, training, diversity and inclusion (D&I) management, project management, change management, strategy, mediation, and conflict resolution. She has demonstrated award-winning success in developing intentional diverse-thinking teams. For the past twelve years, she has been highly sought after locally and nationally as a speaker, trainer, and consultant, based on her HR, training, D&I, and community engagement expertise. Ms. Byrd has led numerous community outreach efforts including the Diversity Best Practice Day for corporate and community leaders, Omaha Diversity 365 D&I Boot Camp Training Day, and Diversity Best Practice Day for corporate and community leaders. Ms. Byrd served as a committee member for the Multicultural Diversity & Inclusion Forum at the University of Saint Thomas, Minneapolis, MN. She also served on the Conagra Foundation “Community Grant” selection committee and the Conagra Brands Public Relations and Communication Committee.

Ms. Byrd’s ability to create strategies was recognized in the Fall 2015 Edition of Profiles In Diversity Journal, a national publication, based on her work using the Herrmann Brain Dominance Instrument (HBDI) and Diversity of Thinking with inclusive teams. Ms. Byrd partnered with Mcdonald’s Corporation’s Diversity & Inclusion division to share best practices for aligning Employee Resource Networks. Ms. Byrd was a co-leader in partnering with Creighton University for the Conagra Corporate Explorer Camp for High School students in the Omaha/Council Bluffs area, which then transition over to the University of Nebraska Omaha’s “Dream Big Academy.” The program helps to build a stronger diversity pipeline for youth in the community. Ms. Byrd also led the Conagra Brands Corporate-wide Mentoring Program.

Ms. Byrd has led BCT’s efforts for corporations such as Facebook, PWC, Virtua Health, Walmart, Reynolds American, and American Red Cross nonprofit clients such as Empowerment Network, Gemma Services, and Time Square Alliance.

Still Have Questions?

What is the duration of the program and how much time is required each week?

This is an eight-week program that will require about 5 to 6 hours of dedicated time per week.

Will this micro-credential be transferrable for credit-hours?

No. Micro-credentials are not transferrable for credit. These are skills-based training programs that differ from a traditional college course.

Is financial aid available?

We currently offer installment plans for a flexible and affordable option. For more payment options please contact an Admissions Counselor at LSSU.Admissions@focusedusolutions.com.

Are there assignments and deadlines?

No, there are no assignment deadlines. There is, however, a prescribed pace for timely completion as learners will have a set number of weeks to complete the credential.

Do I have to attend classes at the same time each week?

Micro-credentials are self-paced and do not require the learner to attend class at a certain time each week. Learners should expect to spend 5-6 hours per week engaging with the course at their own pace. Select weeks will have optional webinars featuring industry experts.

What do I receive upon completion of this micro-credential?

Students will receive a certificate of completion.

Lake-Superior-State-University_Certificate_1 (002)

 

Who do I contact if I have additional questions?

Please feel free to use any of these options to reach out to us. We would love to hear from you!

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