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Civil Rights Compliance Office

Civil Rights Student Course

Understanding Civil Rights (UCR) is a required online course about the University’s civil rights policies. The course explores civil rights at the University of Washington with a focus on the protections provided to individuals based on their race, color, or national origin (including shared ancestry and ethnicity).

This course reflects the University’s ongoing commitment to creating a respectful, safe, and welcoming environment for all members of our community.

After completing the UCR course, students will be able to:

  • Identify ways to support inclusive and nondiscriminatory learning, living, and working environments at the UW.
  • Recognize discrimination and harassment as prohibited conduct under University of Washington policies, and understand when such conduct may contribute to a hostile environment.
  • Describe available support and resources, including how the Civil Rights Compliance Office responds to reports.
  • Understand how to make a Civil Rights & Title IX report.

Student course completion expectations

Completion of the course is required for:

  • Existing students, who will be assigned the course in Spring 2026 and must complete it by May 31, 2026.
  • New students entering any UW campus or location, including first-year, transfer, graduate, and professional students, must complete it before their second quarter at the UW.
  • Returning students who have not previously completed the civil rights student course must complete it before their second quarter back at UW.

The following students are not required to complete the course but may access it voluntarily:

  • Non-matriculated students, including high school students, most certificate program participants, and those enrolled in non-degree offerings.

Course FAQs

Accessible Accordion

If you have recently experienced or supported someone who has experienced discrimination or harassment and are interested in an alternative course, contact civilrightsed@uw.edu. You do not need to share personal details when you send an email inquiring about the alternative course option.

Please submit any feedback or questions about the course to civilrightsed@uw.edu.

While the University currently requires students to take the foundational civil rights course only once, students will be required to take a refresher course in future years. The refresher aims to keep all UW community members aware of the University’s civil rights policies, support, and resources.

Yes, this course is specific to the University of Washington and contains information every UW student needs. This course may build on the information you have learned in other classes or training.

Some student employees are also required to complete the employee civil rights course. Graduate student employees must take the employee version of the course, while other types of student employees are not required to complete it at this time. The employee and student courses have unique information relevant to those respective roles.

The employee and student courses have unique information that is relevant to those respective roles. If you have already completed the employee course but are also a student, you will also need to complete the student version.