Cultural Competency and Implicit Bias

General Information

• Approved Credit Hours: 4 hours
• State: Pennsylvania 
• Course Availability: 365 days from enrollment

Course Description

Implicit bias is defined as the attitudes or stereotypes that affect an individual's understanding, actions, and decisions in an unconscious manner. Cultural competency is defined as understanding cultural norms, preferences, and challenges within our diverse communities. This 4-hour course is designed to meet both the implicit bias and cultural competency requirements.

Course Topics

This course will guide you through the following key areas:

• Unit 1: Understand what culture is and how it shapes behavior.

• Unit 2: Examine core cultural patterns that influence American values and expectations.

• Unit 3: Explore communication styles, including direct, indirect, verbal, and nonverbal communication.

• Unit 4: Identify how culture affects workplace dynamics, power, status, and decision-making.

• Unit 5: Recognize stages of cultural awareness and how attitudes toward difference evolve.

• Unit 6: Define implicit bias and understand how mental shortcuts influence judgment.

• Unit 7: Examine types of implicit bias and their impact on individuals and the real estate industry.

• Unit 8: Learn practical strategies to mitigate bias and promote fair, thoughtful decision-making.

Warning 

No recruiting for employment opportunities for any real estate brokerage firm is allowed in this class. Any recruiting should be promptly reported to the State Real Estate Commission by calling the Pennsylvania Professional Compliance Office at 1-800-822-2113.

Instructor & Customer Support

For questions about the course content, please contact the Instructor.

• Course Instructor: Elizabeth Tigner
• Contact Information: instructor.etigner@onlineed.com
• Instructor Availability: Monday-Friday, business hours, excluding holidays
• Instructor Policy Response Time: within 1 business day

If you have questions about your account or course navigation, please contact the course provider:

• OnlineEd
• Phone: 1-(503)-670-9278
• Email: mail@onlineed.com
• Chat and additional options: 
  https://www.onlineed.com/system/pages/contact.php

Completion & Attendance Requirements

Completion Requirements. Continuing education credit is awarded upon successful completion of all required course components and satisfaction of regulatory active time requirements.

Stay Active in the Course. The course platform electronically monitors active participation. Time tracking will pause during periods of inactivity. You may exit and return to the course at any time. Your progress will be saved.

Active Time Requirements. Per Pennsylvania regulations, CE courses require minimum seat time for course completion. If you complete the instructional material early, you must remain actively logged in until the required time has elapsed before credit can be awarded.  The state regulator recognizes a 50-minute clock hour – accounting for 10 minutes of break time every hour – so you must spend at least 2 hours and 30 minutes in this course.

You’ll have a far better experience if you read the materials and don’t attempt to rush through.

Assessments

This course includes quizzes at the end of each unit which must be completed.

According to your state regulators, completion of the course does not require passing a final exam. There is no final exam at the end of the final unit of this course.

Course Completion Survey

Students are encouraged to submit a survey upon completion of the course. This short survey helps us improve the course material and student experience. It is required by most regulatory agencies. Your thoughtful feedback is appreciated.

Certificates & Credit Reporting

Upon successful completion of all course requirements, a certificate of completion will be issued. You are responsible for maintaining a copy of your certificates of completion and renewing your license with the state regulator. 

Schools do not report course completions in Pennsylvania. Make sure you keep your Certificates of Completion in your records per state regulations.

Technology Requirements

Courses may be accessed from a computer, tablet, or mobile device with a stable internet connection.  We recommend the most recent browser versions.  This includes all modern browsers and operating systems including Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Apple Safari, Opera, iPhone / iOS, and Android-based mobile devices, smartphones, and tablets. The course is entirely web-based and does not require any software to be downloaded or installed.  For accurate time tracking and progress recording, access courses in one browser window at a time. 

Course Prerequisites

There are no prerequisites for this course.

Refund & Cancellation Policy

All tuition and fees paid for the course are refundable when: (a) the course of instruction is discontinued by OnlineEd and such discontinuation has prevented a student from completing the course; or (b) the enrollment of the student was procured as a result of any misrepresentation in promotion materials of the school, or representation made by an owner or employee of the school. All refunds will be completed within 30 days after the effective date of enrollment termination. Refunds will not be given to any student after the student has successfully registered in a course or courses, as once registered, student has access to the registered courses. In hardship cases, OnlineEd may issue a refund at its sole discretion. OnlineEd does not issue retroactive partial refunds for courses that are subsequently discounted or put on sale after a student makes a purchase.

Academic Integrity and Identity Verification

Students must complete all coursework independently. OnlineEd prohibits misrepresentation of identity or allowing another individual to complete coursework on your behalf. Failure to comply with academic integrity policies may result in denial of credit.

Student Conduct Policy

Students are expected to show respect, courtesy, and consideration when interacting with school staff and students. Students are expected to conducting themselves in a professional, legal, and cooperative manner that is not disruptive, harassing, intimidating, or dangerous. Deviation from these standards may result in disciplinary action.

Non-Discrimination Policy

OnlineEd does not discriminate for admission on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, marital status, age or disability. Any person who feels they have been unlawfully discriminated against may file a complaint with the School Director, either by email (schooldirector@onlineed.com) or by postal mail (ATTN: School Director, 14355 SW Allen Blvd. Suite 240, Portland, OR 97005). If OnlineEd determines that any employee of OnlineEd has engaged in discriminatory activity, such employee shall be disciplined.

Grievance Policy

If a student has a grievance against OnlineEd, its staff or students, the aggrieved student shall contact the School Director by email or mail, stating the nature of the grievance. The School Director shall evaluate the grievance and respond to the student based upon their findings.

Policies on Cheating and Misrepresentation

Cheating on courses that supply completion certificates, designations, or official credit is not tolerated. OnlineEd is not obligated to continue to furnish credit or continued support for students caught cheating on any part of the coursework or testing.
 
Misrepresentation of personal identity is strictly forbidden for all OnlineEd courses. Falsifying personal information, forgery, and misrepresentation may result in immediate suspension. Additional actions by state and federal agencies may include loss or suspension of a license, failure to grant a license, fees, or criminal prosecution.

Publisher

This course is developed and delivered by OnlineEd, LLC.

OnlineEd, LLC
14255 SW Allen Blvd., Suite 240
Portland, OR 97005
(503) 670-9278
https://www.OnlineEd.com/
mail@OnlineEd.com

Mission Statement

To provide superior distance education that exceeds industry standards and expectations in course content and delivery methods to those who seek to enter a new profession and those engaged in a profession.