Students walking in building
person walking on phone

Perspectives is an asynchronous online course designed by the Constructive Dialogue Institute to equip students with the valuable skills needed to engage in meaningful conversations across differences in background, cultural beliefs, ideas, or opinions. Durable skills have become increasingly valued by employers, and communication is the most often cited durable skill in job postings (America Succeeds, 2025). Perspectives also contributes to the development of other durable skills, such as critical thinking, metacognition, and growth mindset. As such, it promotes both intellectual and occupational dimensions of wellness. 

All new undergraduate and graduate Georgia Tech students who started an academic program in Spring, Summer, or Fall 2026, including fully-online and transfer students, are required to complete Perspectives. This required non-credit course supports the Institute’s foundational priority and strategic value, “We safeguard freedom of inquiry and expression,” while also meeting the University System of Georgia (USG) Board of Regents policy mandate that all new students complete civil discourse training. 

Perspectives is organized into six modules, each building on the prior one. It can be completed in multiple sittings, or all at one time. On average, students spent approximately one hour in total completing Perspectives in 2025-26. The deadline for course completion is December 31, 2026. 

For more information, students can email vp_sewb@gatech.edu. 

Access the Perspectives learning platform

Perspectives is organized into six asynchronous modules that students complete on their own time.

On average, students spent approximately one hour completing Perspectives in 2025-26.

Students who began academic programs in Spring, Summer, or Fall 2026 must complete Perspectives by December 31, 2026.

By the Numbers

Developing constructive dialogue skills helps reduce the possibility of interpersonal, organizational, and campus conflicts. In 2025-26, 71% of Yellow Jackets who took Perspectives reported satisfaction with their experience. In qualitative feedback, Yellow Jackets perceived benefits such as improved communication skills, conflict resolution techniques, understanding and empathy, awareness of bias and psychology, and self-awareness and emotional regulation. 

Additionally, they reported the following after completing Perspectives: 

68
66
65
64
students sitting on a couch

“The main benefit I gained from the program is learning how to approach difficult conversations with more clarity, empathy, and confidence.”

2025-26 Perspectives Learner from Georgia Tech

Frequently Asked Questions about Perspectives

What is Perspectives and why do I need to complete it?

Perspectives is an asynchronous online course designed by the Constructive Dialogue Institute to equip students with the valuable skills needed to engage in meaningful conversations across differences in background, cultural beliefs, ideas, or opinions. Durable skills have become increasingly valued by employers, and communication is the most often cited durable skill in job postings (America Succeeds, 2025). Perspectives also contributes to the development of other durable skills, such as critical thinking, metacognition, and growth mindset. As such, it promotes both intellectual and occupational dimensions of wellness. 

Since August 2025, per University System of Georgia policy, all new Georgia Tech students — both undergraduate and graduate, including transfers and fully online — must complete training in civil discourse. Georgia Tech partners with the Constructive Dialogue Institute (CDI) to offer Perspectives. 

Who is required to complete Perspectives?

First-year students who begin a new degree-seeking program at Georgia Tech in Spring, Summer, or Fall 2026 are required to complete Perspectives. This requirement applies to undergraduate and graduate students — including fully online students and transfers. 

You are not required to complete Perspectives if: 

  • You already satisfied Georgia Tech’s Perspectives requirement in a previous year 
  • You are not in the first year of your degree-seeking program at Georgia Tech (e.g., you are a second-, third-, fourth-year student, etc.) 
  • You are not currently enrolled in a degree-seeking program 
  • You are a dual enrollment student only taking classes at Georgia Tech but not pursuing a degree

How do I access Perspectives?

Perspectives can be accessed via the following link: https://programs.constructivedialogue.org/georgia-tech 

I don’t know my login information for Perspectives. How do I find it?

All students required to complete Perspectives are able to log in to the platform using Georgia Tech’s SSO (Single Sign-On) interface. The same information you use to log in to Georgia Tech platforms works for logging into the Perspectives platform. 

When I try to access Perspectives using the link, I get an error message. How do I resolve this?

Students are auto-enrolled in Perspectives at the beginning of the fall semester based on their student status. Undergraduate students are uploaded into the platform by September 14, while graduate students are uploaded into the platform by September 21.

If you are getting an error message when you try to access Perspectives, first ensure you meet the eligibility criteria outlined in the “Who is required to complete Perspectives?” section. If you meet the eligibility criteria and continue experiencing issues, contact vp_sewb@gatech.edu for assistance. 

By when do I need to complete Perspectives?

You must complete Perspectives by December 31, 2026. 

What happens if I do not complete Perspectives by the deadline?

If you do not complete Perspectives by the deadline, a registration hold may be placed on your student account. The registration hold will be removed once you complete Perspectives. Please note that registration holds block:  

  • Course registration 
  • Schedule changes (e.g., add/drop)

If you believe the hold was applied in error, contact vp_sewb@gatech.edu so we can review your situation. Students generally receive responses within 24 business hours.

I received a message to complete Perspectives, but I don’t think this requirement applies to me. What should I do?

If you believe you received a message about completing Perspectives in error (for example, if you are not currently a degree-seeking student), please contact vp_sewb@gatech.edu. 

I’m an incoming first-year student who deferred my admission to Georgia Tech last year. A hold was placed on my account for not completing Perspectives. How do I resolve this?

Please contact vp_sewb@gatech.edu. We will work with you to (a) verify your deferred enrollment status and (b) remove your current registration hold if necessary. 

Please be aware that as an incoming student for the upcoming semester, you will be required to complete Perspectives by the December 31, 2026 deadline and will have a registration hold reapplied for non-completion after the deadline.  

I completed Perspectives. When will my registration hold be removed?

If you have not met the deadline for completing Perspectives and a registration hold has been placed on your record, once you complete Perspectives, please allow up to 5 business days for the hold to be removed. If you need the hold released immediately, contact vp_sewb@gatech.edu, and we will address your request during business hours upon receipt. Please plan accordingly, as requests for immediate hold removals cannot always be accommodated. 

What if I still have questions or need help?

If you need assistance or disability-related accommodations, please direct inquiries to the following resources: