Questions about the program
1. How many students are in the program?
a. Each cohort will be limited to 15 people to maintain a high-touch community of learners.
2. How long does it take to complete the program?
a. The program begins in September and takes one full year to complete. During the first 9 months of the program, participants will complete seven content modules and participate in two interactive forums. The final three months of the program are dedicated to completion of the forums and the individual's Diversity/Disparity Action Plan. See Curricular Detail for details of the curriculum.
3. What backgrounds do participants in this program have?
a. Participants in this program will have earned a baccalaureate degree and will hold positions such as Director of Diversity for a health care organization.
4. What is the approach to teaching and learning?
a. Leadership competencies such as this program seeks to develop cannot be taught by traditional ways (e.g., lecture). Based on the Simmons' faculty experience, modules have been designed in such a way as to shift the predominance of teaching/learning activity to higher retention methods by means of participant involvement in demonstration, discussion groups, and teaching others. Supporting the development of leadership competencies is the practice of reflection (a trait of mindfulness); thus, participants are expected to engage in reflection throughout the program and to include these reflections in their portfolio. Overall, the objective is to create and sustain a learning community whose members will continue, after completion of the program, learning and developing throughout their career.
b. All modules, activities, techniques, and assignments—and their timing and duration—have been selected to build participants' abilities from baseline, through intermediate, to advanced levels of six foundational leadership competencies derived from the NCHL "Competency Integration in Health Management Education"(March, 2006) plus relevant additional leadership competencies.
5. What value does this certificate have? What will I be qualified to do with this certificate?
a. This program is designed to prepare individuals who will serve as senior diversity practitioners in health care organizations.
6. What is required of me to participate in this program?
a. The program structure consists of three "tracks." One encompasses the basic tool kit of knowledge and technical skills (modules). The remaining tracks are means of integrating knowledge, technical skills, and leadership competencies—the portfolio Forum and the Diversity/Disparity Action Plan Forum. The purpose of the portfolio Forum is to provide a systematic and formal structure that supports your personal learning as well as leadership competency development, both in the Certificate Program and throughout your career. The DAP Forum is designed to help you, among others, develop, test, and share evidence-based best practices regarding diversity and disparities; develop collaborative individual and institutional relationships across the nation, in pursuit of common goals; and support each other's efforts in achieving your desired goals.
b. Pre-work for the program will begin in late August, and will require 2-3 hours/week for approximately 2 weeks. Once the program begins, you should be prepared to commit 5-7 hours/week to coursework and 2 forums.
c. Successful completion of each module is demonstrated by completing all written assignments for each module to the satisfaction of the instructor, and posting 3-4 times per week in each forum during the weeks the forum is active.
d. Should a participant fail to successfully complete a module.
7. I work full time. Can I do the program on a part time basis?
a. The Certificate in Diversity Management was designed for participants who work full time. Although it is a full time program, with participants entering as a cohort, you will be completing the program one topic at a time.
8. What does the curriculum include?
a. Please see the full curriculum and course descriptions found in Curricular Detail.
9. Will courses be offered in a particular sequence?
a. Yes, the program runs in a pre-defined sequence. Go to Curricular Detail for the full curriculum and course descriptions.
10. Can I start this program in any semester?
a. No. The program begins each September.
11. Do I need to come to the Simmons campus?
a. The first face to face residency and the final face to face residency are held at Simmons each September.
12. What is the cost of tuition?
a. $8,000.00. There will be an additional small fee of a few hundred dollars, to cover the direct cost of two 360 feedback evaluations and the license for the online portfolio that participants will use throughout the program.
13. Are scholarships or assistantships available?
a. Not at this time, but there may be some financial assistance available in the future. Please contact Dr. Lynn Foord at 617-521-2639 if you have an interest in financial assistance.
14. Whom can I speak to if I have questions about the program?
a. You may call the Director of the Certificate program, Dr. Lynn Foord at 617-521-2639.
Questions related to eligibility
1. I do not have a baccalaureate degree. Am I eligible to apply to this program?
a. No, a baccalaureate degree is required for application to the program.
2. What kind of work experience do I need?
a. Applicants must have a minimum of three years of experience as a diversity/disparity practitioner in a health care organization. This may include experience as managers, human resource professionals, or practicing clinicians.
3. Do you require a minimum GRE score?
a. No GREs are required.
4. Do you require a minimum GPA (grade point average)?
a. No GPA is required.
5. What level of familiarity with technology is required in this program?
a. Participants in the program should be comfortable with technology such as sending and receiving email, adding and opening attachments, and online chat (Instant Messenger). Part of the pre-work for the program is an online 2 week orientation to Simmons eLearning, which will assure that each participant is fully prepared to communicate and learn in the online environment.
6. May I pay by credit card? If so, how?
a. Please contact Kelsey Ill at 617-521-2357 for information related to payment.
Questions related to the admissions process
1. How do I enroll?
a. Instructions for registration as well as the registration form for the Certificate in Diversity Management are available under the Registration link in the left-hand side of this page.
2. When can I register, and what is the deadline?
a. Registrations are due by July 17(extension of regular deadline of July 1) to begin in September,2009.
3. When will I learn about my enrollmnt status?
a. Individuals will be notified three to four weeks following receipt of their complete registration form.
4. What if some of my registration materials have not arrived by the deadline date?
a. You will be notified that your registration was not complete by the deadline date, and advised to submit all remaining materials for the next cohort.
5. May I defer my enrollment?
a. No, deferment is not possible for the Certificate in Diversity Management.
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