Program Overview

Introduction to the Duke Nonprofit Management Program

The Duke Nonprofit Management Program is a unit of Duke University Continuing Studies and Summer Session, addressing the sustainability and impact of nonprofit organizations, workers, and volunteers. The program provides affordable, practical, and accessible training to those working in and with the nonprofit sector—whether they are paid staff, directors, board members, philanthropists, volunteers, or members of faith-based communities.

Program Overview

The Nonprofit Management Program offers:

• Certificate in Nonprofit Management - 12 classes of 6 hours for a total of 72 hours of instruction
• Nonprofit Management Intensive Track
• Executive Certificate in Nonprofit Leadership
• Individual Courses
• Custom Training

Mission

The mission of the Duke Nonprofit Management Program is to strengthen the capacities of people, organizations, and networks within the nonprofit sector.

Benefits

This program builds on the unique combination of:

• Great content, that is both current and relevant
• Broad-based curriculum covering a wide spectrum of the nonprofit sector
• Excellent instructors with practical nonprofit experience and varied teaching experience
• Networking built on the in-class experience and co-learning with your fellow students
• Plus the Duke University commitment to excellence

Curriculum

Earning the Duke Certificate in Nonprofit Management requires that a student attend 72 hours of instruction, divided among core areas and electives. This includes:

• 5 Core Courses of 6 hours each, for a total of 30 hours
• 5 Key Electives – 1 from each Core Area, for a total of 30 hours
• 12 hours of general elective, special topics or additional Key Electives

Core Areas

There are five Core Areas:

• Nonprofit – Board Development/Governance
• Nonprofit – Financial Management
• Nonprofit – Fundraising
• Nonprofit – Human Resource Development
• Nonprofit – Planning & Evaluation

Core Courses

Each Core Area has a Core Course:

• Core Course: Nonprofit – Board Development/Governance (6 hours)
• Core Course: Nonprofit – Financial Management (6 hours)
• Core Course: Nonprofit – Fundraising (6 hours)
• Core Course: Nonprofit – Human Resource Development (6 hours)
• Core Course: Nonprofit – Planning & Evaluation (6 hours)

Key Electives

Each Core Area has Key Electives:

• Nonprofit – Board Development/Governance: Developing an Engaged Board of Directors, Fundraising: Coaching the Nonprofit Board to Make the Ask, Running Effective Meetings
• Nonprofit – Financial Management: Basic Accounting for Nonprofits, Cost Allocation for Nonprofits, Financial Reporting for Nonprofits, Fresh Approaches to Securing Business Support
• Nonprofit – Fundraising: Grant Writing, Marketing for Nonprofits, Telling Great Stories to Advance Your Cause
• Nonprofit – Human Resource Development: Employment Law for Nonprofits, Volunteer Engagement, Creating High Performance Teams, Coaching for Top Performance
• Nonprofit – Planning & Evaluation: How to Start a Nonprofit, Performance Measurement for Nonprofit Organizations, Sustainable Strategic Planning for Nonprofits

Courses

Courses are offered in various formats, including:

• Core Courses
• Key Electives
• General Electives
• Special Topics

Schedule and Registration

• Currently, all classes and programs are held as live, interactive virtual sessions via Zoom.
• Classes are from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm (ET) with a 1-hour break from approximately 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm.
• Registration methods:
  • Register online
  • Register by phone

Tuition and Funding Sources

• Tuition: Varies by course
• Duke Employee Discounts: 10% off course fee
• Funding Sources: Various loan options and scholarships are available

Policies and Procedures

• Refund Policy: To receive a refund, minus a processing fee for each course cancelled, or to switch to a different course, we must receive your written cancellation / transfer request at least two weeks before the course begins.
• Attendance Policy: Class starts promptly at 9:00 am each day and ends at 4:00 pm (ET). To receive credit for a Duke Nonprofit Management class, students must attend and actively participate in the class as scheduled.
• Student Age Requirement: The Nonprofit Management Program requires that students be at least 18 years of age to register for nonprofit classes.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the Duke Nonprofit Management Program?
• What is the mission of the Duke Nonprofit Management Program?
• What are the benefits of the Duke Nonprofit Management Program?
• What is the content of the Duke Nonprofit Management Program?
• Who are the instructors?
• Who are the students?
• How much do courses cost?
• May I take Nonprofit Management courses if I don’t intend to earn a certificate?
• When are Information Sessions offered?
• Where are courses offered?
• When are courses held?
• Are my costs tax deductible?
• Do you have job placement services?

Earning the Certificate

• Students can earn the certificate in 2 different ways:
  1. Open enrollment classes - Students must complete 72 hours of course work divided among the following options in the curriculum: 5 Core Courses; 5 Key Electives; and 12 hours from above or from General Electives, Special Topics in Nonprofit Management, and Online Courses.
  2. Intensive Track - Students must complete 8 full days of the classroom experience, plus 24 hours of pre-assigned work.

Executive Certificate in Nonprofit Leadership

• The Executive Certificate in Nonprofit Leadership offers high-impact training for seasoned nonprofit professionals whose leadership transforms organizations, communities, and lives.
• Prospective students must apply and be accepted before registering for the Program.
• The Executive Certificate is open to those who hold the Certificate in Nonprofit Management and have at least three years of management experience.
• It is also open to those not holding the Certificate but who have at least five years of management experience.