A growing interest in more equitable education, particularly regarding historical contributions of racial and ethnic communities, has heightened advocacy for adopting ethnic studies. The focus of ethnic studies courses can vary across the nation. Some courses prioritize the accomplishments and contributions of racial and ethnic minorities in the United States, while others seek to build critical consciousness by analyzing not only these individuals but understanding systemic barriers racial and ethnic minorities overcame or continue to face. Additionally, some courses focus on the history of a wide range of racial and ethnic groups in the United States, while others cover a single community's history, perspectives, and contributions. This literature review explores the research and data on ethnic studies best practices in the following sections: (1) History of Ethnic Studies as Coursework; (2) Importance of Ethnic Studies; (3) Challenges to Offering Ethnic Studies; (4) Programmatic Best Practices; (5) Best Practices for Instruction; (6) Recruitment Strategies; and (7) Educator and Advocate Resources.