Diversity Executive Leadership Academy
Diversity certification programs — DTUI and DELA accredited training
Understanding the Profession

What is Diversity?

You deserve a place on the leadership team, helping leaders consider cultural diversity every step of the way. A diversity certification program builds the credibility, competence, and strategy to make that happen.

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As someone committed to this work, you know how difficult it is to receive the credit you deserve as a chief diversity officer, diversity manager, or diversity champion. The lack of organizational commitment is difficult enough, but to assume that you lack credibility based on your role is disheartening at best. We know that you deserve a place on the leadership team, helping leaders consider cultural diversity every step of the way.

But too many professionals just don’t get it.

Credentials help. What really helps is knowing how to successfully navigate the treacherous terrain of cultural diversity leadership — including strategies for onboarding the leadership and demonstrating your value as an expert. We are committed to making this happen for you.

On This Page
1What is Diversity Certification? 2What is a diversity certification program? 3Why Should You Complete a Program? 4What Can You Do with Your Certification? 5Why Choose DELA for Certification? 6Is DELA Accredited? 7How to Apply
Since 1998

DTUI Invented Diversity Certification Credentials

The first diversity certification credentialing program was offered in 1998 by cultural cognitive psychologist Billy Vaughn, Ph.D. The credentials were offered through Diversity Training University International (DTUI.com) in response to the increasing demand for cultural diversity expertise. Our goal is to train competent professionals and practitioners — providing you with state-of-the-art curricula and expertise. Our instructors are also successful practitioners.

“We are now the first to offer accredited courses and programs.”
The Basics

What is a Diversity Certification?

DEFINITION 01

Assessing Knowledge

One definition emphasizes assessing knowledge about practices in the diversity profession. The focus is on verifying an individual’s understanding and commitment to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace or community. Passing a test plays a prominent role in this approach, which emphasizes developing knowledge specific to what is covered in the exam.

DEFINITION 02

Applying Competence

The other definition focuses on training strategic approaches and applying well-tested techniques to effectively change organizations to make them more inclusive, equitable, and productive. The emphasis is on developing competence to apply what has been learned. Successfully meeting criteria on application assignments is used to assess competency.

DELA’s diversity certification model trains application skills, which is consistent with the second approach.

Defining the Program

What is a Diversity Certification Program?

Diversity & Inclusion Certification refers to “professional credential training designed to develop the competencies needed to propel a career in consulting, training, managing, and leading cultural diversity and inclusion” (Diversity Officer Magazine). Cultural diversity certification training prepares the practitioner to competently serve in leadership roles, such as chief diversity officer (CDO), Vice President of Diversity, Chief Diversity Executive (CDE), and diversity manager (CDP).

Several cultural diversity certification training program models are on the market. A quality training program provides the novice with a solid foundation and raises the bar for seasoned professionals. Quality is the most important thing to consider, but the format and training model differences cannot be ignored.

A comprehensive credentialing program offers
a Publications by thought leaders in the field
b Evidence-based techniques and tools
c A strategic cultural diversity and inclusion framework
d Leadership competence
e Coaching and training skills
The Benefits

Why Should You Complete a Diversity Certification Program?

Completing a diversity certification program offers professional and personal benefits, such as:

1

Demonstrating a commitment to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace or community.

2

Enhancing your understanding of different cultures, perspectives, and experiences — helping you work effectively with people from diverse backgrounds, especially in leadership roles.

3

Increasing your credibility as a diversity and inclusion professional, advocate, or leader.

4

Improving your ability to identify and address barriers to inclusion, equity, and belonging.

5

Meeting requirements for certain job roles or contracts that require diversity, inclusion, and equity expertise or certification.

6

Developing a change strategy to shift an organization’s culture.

7

Onboarding the leadership effectively to your strategy and plan.

Overall, a diversity certification program will help you develop the awareness, attitude, skills, and knowledge needed to create a more inclusive and equitable environment for everyone.

Your Capabilities

What Can You Do with Your Diversity Certification?

As a certified diversity professional, you can:

Design and deliver diversity and inclusion training programs for employees and leaders.
Conduct cultural audits and assessments to identify areas for improvement in diversity and inclusion.
Develop strategies and policies to promote diversity and inclusion in the workplace or community.
Advise leadership on best strategies and practices for creating an inclusive work environment.
Work with HR teams to ensure that hiring and promotion practices are inclusive and unbiased.
Advocate for diversity and inclusion within the organization or community.
Serve as a resource for employees who have concerns or questions related to diversity and inclusion.
Monitor and evaluate the impact of diversity and inclusion initiatives on the organization or community.
The DELA Difference

Why Choose DELA for Diversity Certification?

Diversity Executive Leadership Academy (DELA) is an accredited organization offering professional development programs designed to train managers and senior leaders in the awareness, attitude, skills, and knowledge needed to lead diverse and inclusive organizations. DELA programs uniquely focus on organizational development, diversity and inclusion strategy, training, recruitment, and inclusion competence.

Programs are intensive and immersive, and may involve a combination of in-person or virtual training sessions, executive coaching, and experiential learning opportunities. Instructors must also be practitioners so they can bring applied experience into the courses.

It is the only free-standing accredited organization that offers diversity certification credentialing.

Accredited & Free-Standing

The only free-standing accredited organization offering diversity certification credentialing.

Strategy-Focused

Uniquely focuses on organizational development, D&I strategy, training, recruitment, and inclusion competence.

Immersive Learning

Intensive programs combining in-person or virtual sessions, executive coaching, and experiential learning.

Practitioner Instructors

Instructors must also be practitioners, bringing applied experience directly into the courses.

Accreditation

Is DELA Accredited?

Yes, we are honored to say. Accreditation ensures that the training meets instructional design and delivery criteria to meet learners’ expectations. You can be certain that our training programs are of the highest quality.

DELA operates under Diversity Training University International (DTUI.com), which is accredited by the International Association of Continuing Education & Training (IACET) accrediting body.

To obtain IACET accreditation, an organization must
1

Review the IACET Accreditation Criteria and Standards to ensure your organization meets the eligibility requirements.

2

Complete the IACET application and submit the required documentation and fees.

3

Participate in an on-site review or virtual review by an IACET representative.

4

Implement any necessary improvements based on the review findings.

5

Maintain compliance with the IACET Accreditation Criteria and Standards through ongoing reporting and monitoring.

How to Apply

Want to learn more? Join one of our no-pressure Q&A sessions and reserve your seat today.

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Contact Us

Please do not hesitate to contact us. We know that this is an important decision.

+1 415 692 0121 info@dtui.com
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