Institutions of higher education face increasing expectations to ensure compliance with evolving federal Title IX regulations. The need for trained professionals who can conduct fair, legally compliant, and trauma-informed investigations has never been greater.
The online Title IX Investigator Certificate Program provides self-paced training for professionals who support, administer, or investigate Title IX and related matters in higher education, including discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and sexual misconduct. The program focuses on related laws and compliance standards that help organizations to reduce risks, strengthen ethical decision-making, and ensure consistency in investigative practices. Participants develop practical skills for conducting fair, neutral, and defensible Title IX reviews while supporting institutional obligations and community safety.
Delivered in a fully online and asynchronous format, this program provides the flexibility to learn at your own pace while applying new skills in your profession. Students can enroll and start any time before December 1, and will have until December 24, 2026 to finish the program. Upon successful completion of all three modules, participants will earn a certificate and a digital badge to demonstrate their new expertise.
While this program curriculum has been developed by leading academic and professional experts at CSULB, it is also available to any industry professional seeking Title IX expertise. California State University is deeply committed to upholding the principles and regulations of Title IX, ensuring that all students, faculty, and staff, regardless of gender, have equal access to all opportunities as well as a safe, inclusive environment.
This program is designed for:
Title IX coordinators, investigators, and support staff
Attorneys and legal professionals specializing in misconduct or civil rights
Student affairs and athletics administrators
Undergraduate and graduate students exploring careers in compliance
Anyone interested in applying Title IX expertise to their own workplace
Learn from experienced legal and higher education practitioners
Build practical, job-ready skills aligned with Title IX roles
Develop a portfolio of applied work, including case-based exercises
Access templates, tools, and best practices for immediate application
Earn digital badges for each completed module
Complete the program in a structured, efficient timeframe
Apply federal Title IX regulations and institutional policies to real-world scenarios including reports of discrimination, harassment, sexual misconduct, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking
Conduct fair, compliant, and trauma-informed investigations
Gather, evaluate, and document testimonial and documentary evidence.
Manage case intake, resolution pathways, and post-investigation responsibilities
Analyze evidence and assess credibility using established standards
Promote a culture of safety, equity, and accountability
Develop investigation plans and produce reports that demonstrate procedural fairness, neutrality, and compliance
Explain the historical, legal, and regulatory foundations of Title IX
Program Outline
This non-credit certificate consists of three sequential modules, designed to build knowledge from foundational concepts to advanced investigative practice.
Each module includes pre-recorded lectures, applied learning activities, and assessments, with an estimated total learning time of 20–25 hours completed over approximately three months.
Learners will earn a digital badge upon completion of each module and, upon completion of all three modules, will earn the Title IX Investigator Certificate.
Introduces the legal and policy foundations of Title IX, including jurisdiction, reporting obligations, and compliance requirements such as FERPA and Clery. Participants learn how cases enter the Title IX process and develop skills in documentation, trauma-informed communication, and supportive measures.
Focuses on intake and early case management, including assessing jurisdiction, documenting allegations, and implementing supportive measures and safety planning. Participants explore resolution pathways such as informal resolution, dismissal, and formal complaints while applying due process principles.
Provides advanced training in investigative planning, evidence gathering, and trauma-informed interviewing. Participants develop skills in credibility assessment, evidence analysis, and writing clear, defensible investigative reports aligned with institutional policy and federal regulations.
Instructors
Kerry holds a law degree from Santa Clara University. She has worked as a Congressional Aide for Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren for four years, handling constituent concerns, advising on policy, and representing the office to the community. During her undergraduate studies at University of California, Irvine, Kerry was a student intern in their Title IX office and was mediation-certified at UCI’s Student, Faculty, and Staff Mediation Program.
Dr. Michael Ekema is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Human Resources at the College of Business at CSULB. His research focuses on meta-analysis, sexual harassment, and individual differences—areas where he combines his expertise in data-driven analysis and organizational behavior to contribute valuable insights to the field of human resources. He earned his PhD from the CUNY Graduate Center and Baruch College. Dr. Ekema also holds two master’s degrees, one from the CUNY Graduate Center and another from Virginia Tech, as well as a bachelor’s degree from Cornell University.
Michael Ekema, Assistant Professor, Department of Human Resources, College of Business at CSULB
Larisa Hamada is the Assistant Vice President for Equity and Compliance at California State University, Long Beach. With a comprehensive background in equal employment investigations, employee relations, diversity education, and compliance, her expertise spans areas such as ADA compliance, Title IX, whistleblower protections, and student affairs. Larisa is a member of SHRM/PIHRA, a certified HIPAA Privacy Officer, and a Diversity Education Trainer. She is also responsible for coordinating sexual harassment prevention training programs, helping to foster an inclusive and compliant campus environment. Larisa is committed to promoting equity, compliance, and education throughout the university community.
Larisa Hamada, Assistant Vice President for Equity and Compliance, CSULB
Nick Rodriguez holds a law degree from Chapman Fowler School of Law and a Bachelor’s of Science in Criminal Justice from CSULB. His prior experience includes clerking at the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office, Orange County District Attorney’s Office, Long Beach City Prosecutor’s Office, and working as a peer mentor at Riverside Juvenile Hall.
Nick Rodriguez, Associate Director, Equity & Compliance
