Cornell Certified Diversity Professional/Advanced Practitioner (CCDP/AP)
Several years ago, Cornell ILR developed the nation's first Certified Diversity Professional (CCDP) Program. In response to the growing complexity and depth of the field, Cornell is now offering a new certification: the Cornell Certified Diversity Professional/Advanced Practitioner, or CCDP/AP.
This program is intended for diversity professionals with a minimum of three years substantive experience in the diversity field, who wish to hone their skills and increase their depth of knowledge. This certification will provide experienced professionals with additional knowledge, skills and strategies to promote individual professional growth and organizational success.
Cornell will no longer offer the basic CCDP at the New York campus. However, anyone who enrolled in that program prior to 2009 will be permitted to either finish that program and receive the CCDP or, if qualified, to transfer to the new program.
Requirements
To become a CCDP/AP, applicants must have a minimum of three years' experience as a diversity professional, and must successfully complete the Diversity Management Certificate program. They must then complete the CCDP/AP application (pdf).
Individuals already holding the CCDP certification who wish to transition to the CCDP/AP may do so by completing the requirements.
CCDP/AP applicants must then complete the Advanced Diversity Strategies class, as well as two additional 200 or 300 level classes from the diversity curriculum. Applicants must then successfully complete a diversity-related project. The project must be on a current issue in diversity and related to your diversity work in your organization or in your private practice. The project must be turned in before an individual can be certified. Applicants must also complete an exam, which will consist of both multiple choice and essay questions.
Examination Information
Two hours are allotted to complete the exam which will be administered electronically. An optional, complimentary review session is available prior to the exam. Review and exams are held twice each year, in December and in May. The fall 2009 review will be on December 15, 2009, and the exam will be on December 16, 2009. The cost of the exam is $495 (no other discounts apply).
Recertification
In order to retain your CCDP/AP certification, you must recertify every two years. A list of recertification requirements may be obtained by contacting Sherrie Morales at sm92@cornell.edu.
Use CCDP/AP After Your Name
Certified individuals are issued a certificate attesting that they have met the standards of the Cornell program and are entitled to make the public aware of their credentialed status from Cornell through the use of the initials CCDP/AP after their names.