Online Graduate Diversity Certificate Program

Minnesota State University

Online Graduate Diversity Certificate Program

GRADUATE DIVERSITY CERTIFICATE ONLINE PROGRAM

To apply for the Graduate Certificate degree in Ethnic Studies, potential candidates must submit an application to the department. If you have any additional questions, you may contact the office manager, Cindy Veldhuisen at or (507) 389-2798.

A complete application file must be sent to the Department of Ethnic Studies and include the following:

A statement of purpose which addresses student’s research interests, professional goals and objectives for pursuing the Graduate Diversity Certificate Program
List the name, phone number, and e-mail address of at least two references
A Resume/Curriculum vitae

Bulletin Description

The purpose of the online, 18 credit-hour Graduate Diversity Certificate Program is to provide graduate students and professionals who have already earned a bachelor’s degree the opportunity to acquire cross-cultural competency skills and expertise in diversity training in order to work and lead in a multicultural environment. The courses focus on the intersections of race/ethnicity, social class, and gender. Further, the program combines the expertise of faculty from the Colleges of Education, Humanities, and Social and Behavioral Sciences in providing excellent opportunities for historical, theoretical, and social science research.

Information & Technology Services (ITS):

Desire2Learn (D2L) is Minnesota State University’s (MSU’s) web-based management system. D2L is an online course management tool that is useful for posting announcements, syllabi, assignments, external links, grades, and other course information. There are two primary types of distance learning (or online) courses: synchronous and asynchronous.Synchronous distance learning occurs when the professor and students interact in different places but during a set time at least once a week, for example, live chat or video conferencing. Conversely, asynchronous distance learning occurs when the professor and the students interact in different places and during different times. Most adult learners prefer the asynchronous format for its flexibility and for the fact that it allows more time for critical thinking. Both types of distance learning will be employed by the instructors in this certificate program. All registered students at MSU, Mankato have immediate access to D2L via its link on the MSU homepage. If any student needs help, or experiences any difficulties logging on, feel free to contact the ITS Helpdesk at 507-389-6654

Common Core
(Select only one course)
ETHN 650 / Helping Across Cultures / 3
ETHN 660 / Cross-Cultural Training and Diversity Management / 3
Restricted Electives
(Select any six credits [two courses]. Courses must be from different categories.)
Choose 3 credit(s):
1. Category of Ethnic Families in the United States
ETHN 570 / Women of Color / 3
ETHN 590 / Racial/Ethnic Families in the U.S. / 3
2. Category of Disability
Choose 3 credit(s):
(Students may choose a course related to disability. Note: "REHB 619 is not currently offered online. Another REHB course, e.g., REHB 677 can be substituted.")
REHB 619 / Psychosocial Aspects of Disability / 3
3. Category of Human Administrative Services
Choose 3 credit(s):
SOC 517 / Program Administration / 3
URBS 553 / Grants Administration / 3
URBS 603 / Organization Environment / 3
URBS 650 / Urban Administrative Services / 3
Unrestricted Electives
(Students choose 9 credits)
ETHN 500 / Cultural Pluralism / 3
ETHN 501 / Applied Cultural Research / 3
ETHN 502 / Ethnic Research Methods/Skills / 3
ETHN 503 / Chicana Feminisms / 3
ETHN 505 / Perspectives on New Immigrants in the United States / 3
ETHN 510 / Foundations of Oppression / 3
ETHN 520 / African American Studies / 3
ETHN 530 / American Indian Studies / 3
ETHN 540 / Asian American Studies / 3
ETHN 550 / Latino/Hispanic Studies / 3
ETHN 560 / Urban Minority Problems / 3
ETHN 570 / Women of Color / 3
ETHN 580 / Social Justice in Ethnicity and Gender / 3
ETHN 582 / African American Civil Rights Movement / 3
ETHN 586 / Racial and Ethnic Politics / 3
ETHN 590 / Racial/Ethnic Families in the U.S. / 3
ETHN 603 / Seminar in Ethnic/Cross-Cultural Studies / 3
ETHN 610 / Seminar on Foundations of Oppression / 3
ETHN 677 / Individual Study / 1-3
Additional Information
Send inquiries or materials to:
College of Graduate Studies and Research
Minnesota State University, Mankato
125 Wigley Administration Center
Mankato, MN 56001
507-389-2321
Toll Free: 800-722-0544
E-mail:
Web site: