The Certificate in Critical Cultural Competence will help students to develop an appreciation for their own cultural identities and become self-reflective in their perspective toward differences in the cultural identities of other people as defined by, for example, ethnicity, nationality, gender, class, age, religion, and sexual orientation. Drawing on anthropological perspectives, the certificate provides students with practical knowledge, skills, and perspective to increase their effectiveness in the workforce and in relating to cultural differences in diverse national and international arenas, from the local community center to the corporate boardroom, the classroom, the doctor's office, or religious center.  This Certificate is open to all majors and is flexibly structured to allow students to choose advanced courses in Anthropology, Communication, Disability Studies, Human Geography, Psychology, Sociology, Social Work, Women’s Studies, and Religious Studies.

Students may petition for another course not on the approved applicable course work list.

How to Declare a Certificate

Our program fosters close collaboration between students and their mentors, working together to create a coherent program of study to obtain the certificate. Once a student decides to declare they should meet with the undergraduate director and form a plan of study. The director approves the final plan and coordinates with the student's advisor in their respective major to form a study plan that complements their academic program and career interests. To declare the certificate students must fill out the standard major declaration form, available on the university website. They must get a signature from their academic advisor and then meet with the Undergraduate Director or Department Chair, who will sign the form and welcome them to the program.