Critical Cultural Competence

The Certificate in Critical Cultural Competence is offered for undergraduate students in any major and is administered by the School of Social Work.

Study in Critical Cultural Competence is designed to help you learn how to appreciate your own cultural identity while developing the ability to examine and understand your orientation to other people's cultural identities, such as class, ethnicity, gender, and sexual orientation.

The certificate program will help you acquire the knowledge, skills, and attitudes you'll need in order to relate effectively across cultures in diverse environments, both domestic and international.

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 culture-related privilege and disprivilege, and a greater appreciation for cultural differences.

The program will help you prepare for work in all sorts of fields, such as business, communication, education, health, psychology, and social work.

1. Submit your application.

   You can apply through the University of Iowa application or the Common Application (fall session only). We make admission decisions on a rolling basis beginning October 1 (International Application deadlines vary depending on your area of study).

2. Pay the application fee.

   The $80 application fee is non-refundable. No application fee waivers are available unless you will be graduating from a high school inside the U.S.

3. Upload your academic records.

   Within your Admissions Profile in MyUI, upload copies of all required official transcripts from every secondary school (high school), college, university, technical/vocational institute, or professional institution you have attended.
   
   Examine the Country Specific Admissions Requirement List to learn more about the required credentials and minimum academic standards needed for Admissions. Iowa offers college credit for a variety of exams.

4. Meet our English Proficiency Requirement.

   See details of our English Proficiency Requirements. If applicable, have the testing agency send us your TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo score.

5. Have your ACT or SAT scores sent by the testing agency.

   Our institution code is 1356 for the ACT; 6681 for the SAT.

   ACT or SAT is required if:​
   • You plan to use ACT/SAT to meet the English Proficiency Requirement
   • You plan to apply for scholarships (some awards require an ACT or SAT score)