Seven Online Courses to Learn About Diversity and Inclusion

In the past few years, diversity and inclusion have been at the forefront of conversation and have become increasingly important both in education and business.

Research has shown that diverse companies have a higher cash flow, are more likely to be innovators in their field and have a much higher chance of capturing new markets.

It’s a no-brainer that knowing about this topic in our progressively global society is key, especially if you’re looking to enter or progress in the world of business.

Now that the coronavirus pandemic has led millions of people across the world to practice social distancing, a useful way to keep yourself busy while stuck inside is expanding your skillset and knowledge – and online courses are a great way to do that.

Here at TopMBA, we’ve put together a selection of seven free online courses that’ll help you learn more about diversity and inclusion from the comfort of your own home.

Purdue University – Understanding Diversity and Inclusion

Understanding Diversity and Inclusion is a perfect introduction to the topic. The three-week course offered by Purdue University on FutureLearn explores how we can learn to embrace personal and cultural differences in a wide range of situations, from unconscious biases to ethnocentric mindsets in the workplace. The course is open to all, from current students to graduates and corporate workers.

ESSEC Business School – Diversity and inclusion in the workplace

Diversity and inclusion in the workplace is a four-week, nine-hour online course offered by ESSEC Business School. It is beginner level, and thus ideal for new graduates and entry-level/junior professionals looking to understand how diversity and inclusion can be applied to the corporate world. With topics such as personal perceptions, leadership and human rights, this course is as comprehensive as it gets.

Catalyst – Becoming a Successful Leader (Inclusive Leadership Training)

The four-week course Becoming a Successful Leader will help you identify the leadership style all 21^st century leaders should possess to promote diversity and inclusivity. This is an ideal opportunity for current students and graduates to develop soft skills they’ll be able to apply to future real-life situations, both in university and the workplace.

University of Illinois – Race and Cultural Diversity in American Life and History

If you’re interested in learning more about the ways in which race, ethnicity and cultural diversity have shaped life and history in the United States, this is the course for you. Offered by the University of Illinois, this 11-hour course is designed for students and workers who want to understand diversity and inclusion from an ideological and historical perspective.

University of Pennsylvania – Optimizing Diversity on Teams

Optimizing Diversity on Teams is a course offered by the University of Pennsylvania, ideal for aspiring managers with a flair for teamwork. In roughly 14 hours, students will learn what diversity is, how to handle conflict and how to use inclusion to maximize team performance, innovation and creativity.

Pearson – Develop Your Cultural Intelligence

In an increasingly connected world, workplaces are filled to the brim with a multitude of cultural backgrounds. While this is a good thing, it also means it’s never been more important to have cultural intelligence. If you’re about to begin your career in business, developing your own will allow you to thrive in many different environments – and this course is the perfect way to get started.

LinkedIn Learning – Unconscious Bias

The LinkedIn Learning course Unconscious Bias is one of the most popular on the platform, and for good reason: being able to acknowledge and overcome your own biases is a crucial skill to have if you want to make smart business decisions. The course is self-paced and can be completed in as little as one day, making it ideal for students and workers who are busy even during lockdown.