Certificate in Nonprofit Management

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Created for professionals in nonprofit organizations, the graduate-level Certificate in Nonprofit Management offers specific knowledge and skills related to human resource development, organizational evaluation, finance, conflict resolution, and decision-making. The curriculum is designed for individuals who do not have formal training in the business aspects of managing a nonprofit organization.

What You Will Learn

The certificate can be designed to fit your needs through focus on one of the following areas of emphasis:

  • Leadership
  • Integrative leadership
  • Finance and fundraising
  • Changing organizational environment
  • Policy analysis
  • Arts management

Certificates Toward Degree Programs

Credits taken for the Nonprofit Management Certificate may be used to fulfill Humphrey School degree program requirements, contingent on approval from advisor(s) and subject to the Humphrey School's "Application of Graduate Credits to Degree Requirements" policy.

View Certificate in Nonprofit Management application requirements

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Curriculum

The Nonprofit Management Certificate requires 12 semester credits, including 3 credits in core courses, and a minimum of 9 credits in electives. At least 6 elective credits must come from the "PA" electives listed below. The remaining credits may be taken from this list or, with advisor approval, other graduate-level courses.

Required core course (3 credits)

  • PA 5101 – Management and Governance of Nonprofit Organizations (3 cr.)

Note: Core course must be taken for a letter grade.

Electives (Minimum of 9 credits)

Select courses, in consultation with the advisor, to meet the 12-credit minimum for the certificate. At least 6 credits must come from the following list. The remaining credits may be taken from this list or, with advisor approval, other graduate-level courses. Your program plan must be approved by a faculty adviser.

Earn at least 6 credits from the following:

  • PA5003 - Introduction to Financial Analysis and Management (1.5cr.)
  • PA5104 - Human Resource Management for Public and Nonprofit Organizations (3cr.)
  • PA5105 - Integrative Leadership: Leading Across Sectors to Address Grand Challenges (3cr.)
  • PA5108 - Board leadership development (1cr.) Practicum
  • PA5113 - State and Local Public Finance (3cr.)
  • PA5114 - Budget Analysis in Public and Nonprofit Orgs (1.5cr.)
  • PA5116 - Financing Public and Nonprofit Organizations (1.5cr.)
  • PA5122 - Law and Public Affairs (3cr.)
  • PA5123 - Philanthropy in America: History, Practice, and Trends (1.5-3cr.)
  • PA5135 - Managing Conflict: Negotiation (3cr.) Online may be available
  • PA5136 - Group Process Facilitation for Organizational and Public/Community Engagement (1cr.)
  • PA5144 - Social Entrepreneurship (3cr.)
  • PA5145 - Civic Participation in Public Affairs (3cr.) Practicum
  • PA5151 - Organizational Perspectives on Global Development & Humanitarian Assistance (3cr.)
  • PA5190 - Topics in Public and Nonprofit Leadership and Management (1-3cr.) Topics Course
  • PA5251 - Strategic Planning and Management (3cr.)
  • PA5311 - Program Evaluation (3cr.) Field Study
  • PA5405 - Public Policy Implementation (3cr.) Online may be available
  • PA5920 - Skills Workshop (0.5-4cr.) Topics Course
  • PA5927 - Effective Grantwriting for Nonprofit Organizations (1.5cr.) Online may be available

Cost

Information on certificate program costs can be found on the Tuition and Financial Aid page of our website.