Institute for Humane Education
GRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN HUMANE EDUCATION
Online, USA
Graduate Certificate
DURATION
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2026
STUDY FORMAT
Distance Learning
Key Summary
About: The Institute for Humane Education's online 15-credit Graduate Certificate covers five core courses: Introduction to Humane Education; Environmental Ethics; Animal Protection; Human Rights; Culture and Change. It's open to applicants with a master's or doctorate or to those not pursuing a full degree. You can stay teaching while studying and build expertise in humane education, curriculum, sustainability, animal welfare and social justice.
Career Outcomes: Graduates can work in K–12 teaching, curriculum development, teacher training, nonprofit program management, advocacy, environmental and animal protection, community education, policy outreach and consulting. These career opportunities support education, social change, sustainability and human rights.
The Graduate Certificate in Humane Education comprises the five core courses required for the master’s degrees in humane education (listed below). Students who already have a master’s or doctoral degree, or who are not interested in pursuing a full degree, are welcome to apply to the Graduate Certificate program to develop expertise in the foundations of humane education and learn to educate effectively on behalf of people, animals, and the environment.
This 15-credit Graduate Certificate program in Humane Education is delivered online, allowing students to remain in their teaching professions and communities while attending graduate school.
Graduate Certificate students who are classroom educators at all levels add this 15-credit certificate to their existing credentials, enabling them to teach new content areas and advance their careers through opportunities where post-graduate work is preferred. Those who are not classroom teachers apply their learning and certificate credentials to a wide variety of endeavors, initiatives, and professions that focus on change-making.
Students are required to take the five foundational courses in humane education:
Introduction to Humane Education
Environmental Ethics
Animal Protection
Human Rights
Culture and Change
