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As our society becomes more diverse and our economy more global, organizations and society are faced with challenges regarding the inclusion of all individuals – both to be fair to them, and in order to fully utilize their talents.

The Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace Certificate Program is designed to give you the tools to help organizations successfully navigate the challenges and opportunities associated with an increasingly diverse workforce.

As with other SMLR graduate certificates, this certificate program requires successful completion, with a B or better, of four 3-credit graduate courses. If you later decide to continue on to the full Master of Labor and Employment Relations program, all these courses would count toward that degree.

You can earn the certificate either with a mix of in-person and online courses or with online courses only. Our online courses are highly interactive, involve serious examination of important issues based on recent scholarship, and take place over the course of a semester. All classes include assignments designed to enhance skills and broaden perspectives.

Required courses:

  • Employment Law (38:533:566), or

  • Immigration Law (38:578:521)

AND one of three broad classes about diversity:

  • The Inclusive Workplace (38:578:510), or
  • Identity & Discrimination at Work and in the U.S. Labor Market (38:578:551), or
  • Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for the HR Professional (38:533:648)

AND any two classes from the following or from the other classes above

  • Women and Work (38:578:541)
  • Immigration, Public Policy and Worker Rights (38:578:526) 
  • Emotional Intelligence in the Workplace (38:578:510)
  • Topics courses on Asian-American, Black, Latino or other groups of workers (38:578:610 or 611 when on DEI topics)
  • Independent Study related to Diversity and Inclusion

Graduate Students in Rutgers School of Public Affairs and Administration (SPAA) may count the following two courses from their program as electives:

  • 20:834:523  Human Resource Management, and
  • 20:834:507  Leadership and Diversity

How to Apply

For current Rutgers graduate students:

For application related questions and registration guidance, please contact Ann Marie Fiorella-Mullen, MLER Graduate Student Advisor.

For students not currently enrolled at Rutgers:

For more information on the certificate program and options for your academic future, contact Professor Francis Ryan, MLER Program Director.  

If you wish to complete a Certificate on a fully online basis, please contact Professor Ryan before applying because special application instructions are required.

To apply to complete a certificate, on a mixed in-person and online basis, as a non-degree student, apply to Rutgers Graduate Admissions. Click here to begin an application for admission.

All students:

Once you begin your application and have questions, please contact Ann Marie Fiorella-Mullen, MLER Graduate Student Advisor.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a graduate certificate program cost?

If not already enrolled in a degree program at Rutgers, students enrolled in mixed in-person and online certificate programs pay the "in state" or "out of state" tuition rate. 

  • The in-state tuition rate for 2024-2025 is $1,022 per credit or $3,066 per 3-credit course.*
  • The out of state tuition rate for 2024-2025 is $1,720 per credit or $5,160 per 3-credit course.*

Students in a fully online certificate program pay the graduate online tuition rate no matter where they live.  For 2024-2025 that rate is $1,230 per credit or $3,690 per 3-credit course.*  

Please note that FAFSA loans are not permitted for study as a non-degree certificate student.  

* These rates do not include the mandatory fees or the required health insurance rates for international students. Please see tuition chart listed here for clarifications and breakdowns of fees.

Can international students enroll in a graduate certificate program?

If the student is already on a H1 or F1 U.S. visa, approval from the Rutgers Global office is required to continue or pursue the non-degree graduate certificate program and some elements of the in-person mode of instruction are required. Students must take a minimum of 9 credits per semester or follow requirements for a reduced load when applicable in their final semester of study. This is designed only if the student has an approved visa that is transferable to Rutgers University.