Harvard University has introduced a new Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) certificate programme priced at $13,760. The course aims to equip students with skills to recognise bias and privilege and develop strategies to address real-world organisational challenges related to DEI.The programme is offered by the Harvard Division of Continuing Education and features classes covering topics such as “Understanding Race and Racism,” “Power and Privilege in Systems,” and “Justice.” It promises to prepare participants to become “powerful voices for strategic change within organisations,” according to Harvard’s course description.A detailed look at the course contentAmong the classes included in the certificate are “Riots, Strikes, and Conspiracies in American History,” “Diversity and Inclusion Management,” “Institutions and Equitable Transformation,” and “Harnessing Employee Talent: Motivating a Diverse Workforce.” The curriculum aims to give students a broad understanding of systemic inequalities and practical tools for fostering inclusive corporate cultures.The programme requires a significant financial commitment, with the tuition set at $13,760 for the entire certificate. Harvard promotes the course as an opportunity to gain “critical knowledge and skills to address bias and marginalisation.”Concerns over value and effectivenessThe launch of this DEI certificate comes amid increasing scrutiny of DEI programmes nationwide. President Donald Trump has criticised DEI initiatives within the federal government, warning that universities could lose federal funding if they continue to support such programmes.Nikki Neily, president and founder of Defending Education, expressed scepticism about the value of Harvard’s DEI course in a statement to Fox News. She said, “The DEI industry has collapsed over the past several years, so investing in a DEI certificate providing ahistorical, biased knowledge strikes me as a particularly poor life choice and one unlikely to provide students with any kind of ROI,” as quoted by the Fox News.Neily also suggested that the American public has little appetite for government loan forgiveness for programmes she views as low value. “The sooner that universities stop offering programmes like this that leave students mired in debt, the better,” she added, according to the Fox News report.Harvard’s response and public reactionFox News Digital reached out to Harvard for comment on the certificate programme but did not receive an immediate response. The university’s marketing materials emphasise the strategic and leadership benefits of the course for those seeking to lead DEI initiatives in their organisations.The $13,760 fee places the certificate among higher-priced continuing education offerings, raising questions about accessibility and return on investment for participants. Harvard’s DEI certificate arrives at a time when public and political debate around diversity training is intensifying, with some seeing it as essential and others viewing it as ideological.The programme’s curriculum highlights systemic racism, power structures, and marginalisation, topics that continue to spark controversy in education and corporate sectors. The certificate is designed to equip professionals with tools to create inclusive environments, but its reception remains mixed.
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