Program Overview

Introduction to the Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management

The Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management is a 12 semester credit hour program designed to provide an overview of the nature and context of nonprofit organizations, combined with skill-based courses to develop the competencies needed by nonprofit managers. Nonprofit organizations constitute an increasingly significant sector of the American economy and an essential element in American civic life, found in diverse fields such as healthcare, education, human services, and criminal justice, as well as in cultural and civic activities.

Program Overview

The certificate is intended for professionals already working in the nonprofit sector, those working in private for-profit or governmental settings who would like to work or volunteer in the nonprofit sector, and students without professional experience who seek to prepare themselves for nonprofit careers. Completion of twelve (12) semester credit hours is required to attain the Certificate in Nonprofit Management, and these semester credit hours may be counted toward a degree if the student completes all requirements for full admission as a graduate student.

Faculty

The faculty for the Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management includes:

• Professors:
  • Meghna Sabharwal
  • Sheryl L. Skaggs
• Associate Professors:
  • Evgenia Gorina
  • James R. Harrington
  • Sarah Maxwell
• Professor Emeritus:
  • L. Douglas Kiel
• Clinical Professor:
  • John R. McCaskill
• Associate Professor of Practice:
  • Teodoro Benavides

Coursework

The program requires the completion of 12 semester credit hours, consisting of:

• Required courses: 9 semester credit hours
  • PA 6374 Financial Management for Nonprofit Organizations
  • PA 6382 Nonprofit Management
  • PA 6315 Evaluating Program and Organizational Performance
• Prescribed Electives: 3 credit hours
  • Choose any one of the following:
    • PA 6369 Grant Writing and Management
    • PA 6386 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Organizations
    • PA 6387 Strategic Planning for Nonprofit
    • PA 6389 Volunteer Management
    • PA 6391 Nonprofit Marketing and Communication
  • Permission from the Public Affairs Program Head or MPA Director is required for courses outside this list.

Program Requirements

Courses for the certificate must be completed within a 3-year period with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.