About Social Justice Education Graduate Certificate in Teaching for Diversity – Online

The Social Justice graduate certificate curriculum bridges theory and research with the practice of teaching for diversity and social justice. Through three foundational courses students will explore the ways that inequities get enacted and perpetuated in educational settings, along with strategies for effective methods of addressing and remediating these inequities. Through in-depth specialization and practicum courses, students will gain curriculum development and facilitation skills to effectively employ social justice education practices in educational settings- inside and outside of classrooms.

Who should consider the Social Justice Education online certificate?

This online certificate is ideal for educational professionals who want to acquire the tools and knowledge they need to effect positive change in their work environments. It is  relevant for teachers, counselors, psychologists, administrators, and student affairs professionals who work throughout the educational system, kindergarten through college, in after-school and youth development programs, and in community-based organizations. The online SJE certificate program is well-suited for those already working full-time and whose professional and/or personal commitments make an online program convenient and affordable.

Want to learn more about the graduate certificate program? Sign up for one of our monthly virtual information session for a chance to speak with faculty and other prospective students over Zoom. 

For more information, please contact the certificate program director, Dr. Nina Tissi-Gassoway, SocialJusticeCert [at] umass [dot] edu (SocialJusticeCert[at]umass[dot]edu) 

Instructions for Enrolling in Classes in SPIRE

Detailed instructions are available at How to Enroll in Online Classes page. A short summary is below:

  1. Create a student record. (You should not need to do this step if you took a course in the previous year) Go to spire.umass.edu. Prior to logging in, on the right hand menu click on Non-Degree Enrollment Application and fill out the form there. You will receive an email with your NetID and password (this may take 2-5 days to process before moving to the next step.)
  2. Create an enrollment appointment. Once you have received your NetID and password you can create an enrollment appointment by logging in to SPIRE (spire.umass.edu) with the NetID and password you received.  In the Student Center, select the Manage Classes tile > Enrollment Appointments > UWW Enrollment Appointments. Select the term you wish to have an active enrollment appointment.
  3. Register for classes. The enrollment appointment should be available immediately. Register for the class on SPIRE (spire.umass.edu). In Manage Classes, On the left hand menu select Add, Drop & Edit Classes, then select Class Search, Add & Enroll. (Avoid using the Schedule Builder.)  Search for the class you want to take; most students muct confirm that it has a section with Univ+ (or UWW) under Session.

Questions about how to register? Contact UMass University Without Walls at regoff [at] uww [dot] umass [dot] edu (regoff[at]uww[dot]umass[dot]edu), 413-545-3653 or 800-922-8211.

Tuition and Fees

University Without Walls (UWW/CPE) at UMass Amherst administers registration and payments for the graduate certificate.  Courses are listed as "Univ+" (or UWW) courses on SPIRE. 

Further information about tuition can be found on Online Program Tuition and Fees page or through the Bursars Office at bursar [at] admin [dot] umass [dot] edu (bursar[at]admin[dot]umass[dot]edu) or call 413-545-0337.