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The School of Social Work offers a Certificate in Critical Cultural Competence (CCC) to University of Iowa undergraduate students in any major.

The Certificate in Critical Cultural Competence is designed to help students learn how to appreciate their own unique cultural identities while developing the ability to examine and understand their orientation to other people's cultural identities, such as class, ethnicity, gender, and sexual orientation.

Though critical cultural competence has been traditionally emphasized in fields like business, communication, education, health care, psychology, and social work, this kind of understanding is increasingly recognized as crucial in almost any profession. The certificate program helps students acquire the knowledge, skills, and attitudes they need to relate effectively across cultures in diverse environments, both domestic and international.

In addition to core CCC courses, students pursuing the certificate can choose from an array of electives offered by diverse UI departments including African American Studies, Native American and Indigenous Studies, Sociology, Communication Studies, Gender, Women’s and Sexuality Studies, Anthropology, Global Health Studies, Latina/o/x Studies, Writing, Religious Studies, Museum Studies, and more. Each student works closely with their advisor and the certificate program's coordinator, Social Work Clinical Assistant Professor Yolanda Spears, MSW, to create a unique study plan to complement their academic program and career interests.

After completing the Foundations in Critical Cultural Competence course, one student remarked, “The material covered in this course can change the way students look at our world and the different systems in it. Students need more courses that really educate them on diversity, equity, and inclusion, and this course is it."

Learning to be culturally competent is not always easy—in fact, some of the most lasting lessons are learned in discomfort.

Another student said, “Professor Spears challenged me to step out of my comfort zone and have hard conversations, because that is how I will learn and be successful -- in this class, and in real life. While it was uncomfortable … I am glad she pushed me to face my whiteness and my fears in order to become more culturally competent.”

Spears said, “We are in a relationship as a class. This classroom is a safe space for us to talk about things that are difficult to talk about. I want to make sure each student feels recognized and cared for, so they can grow and find their voice without silencing others.”

Students who complete the certificate program develop an awareness of treating people fairly, equitably, and thoughtfully and being concerned with issues of power, privilege, and social justice; an understanding of culture-related privilege and disprivilege, and a greater appreciation for cultural differences.