York University’s School of Continuing Studies paid for a series of Facebook ads promoting its Certificate in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI).
The online course lasts eight months and comes with a steep $5,000 domestic tuition fee—likely an attempt to generate revenue as the school grapples with chronic financial struggles.
The university claims that the course will help learners understand DEI terminology, recognize challenges faced by “protected groups,” and foster an equitable work environment.
The course’s primary assignment is to develop a single DEI-focused action plan for a workplace, forming the core component of the portfolio students will complete upon graduation.
However, the DEI certificate does not offer recognized academic credits toward a professional or undergraduate degree. Instead, it provides a certificate that graduates can display on their LinkedIn profiles, featuring the York University brand.
The course was promoted via social media on November 5, 2024—the same day U.S. President Donald Trump was re-elected after campaigning on a promise to eliminate DEI from government policy through an executive order on day one.
