Admission Information | Certificate Requirements | Certificate Brochure (pdf)

The nonprofit sector is the fastest growing employment sector in today's economy. Nonprofit organizations face new challenges: government funding cutbacks, growing numbers of clients, and the expanding need to acquire and manage financial resources. Nonprofit managers must find ways to help their organizations meet these challenges. They must deal effectively with boards, staff, volunteers, clients, funders, and members of the public. Yet few opportunities for specialized training in this multi-faceted role have been available in Northeast Ohio, despite its rich and varied nonprofit community.

Enrolling in the Nonprofit Management Graduate Certificate Program will provide you with learning designed to empower nonprofit administrators with the skills necessary to succeed. It is aimed at executive directors and other managers, as well as those with business or government management experience who are seeking a bridge to the nonprofit sector.

Admission to the Certificate Program in Nonprofit Management is based on the following:

• Evidence of ability to do quality professional-level work
  The applicant must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution. Rare exceptions may be made for persons with substantial and extensive experience in nonprofit sector management.
• Evidence of career commitment to nonprofit management
  This is normally clear from the resume, but the applicant should also address this topic in the application.
• Evidence of administrative experience
  The application and resume should illustrate the extent and level of administrative experience. Applicants should have completed at least two years of management work.

The certificate program includes four required courses (two required and two electives).

Required Courses:

NAL/PAD 550: Fundamentals of Nonprofit Administration and Leadership (Required)
Examines nonprofit organizations as community institutions, and the role of institutional management and leadership in their development. Covers the nature of leadership and management in the nonprofit sector and the differences between them; fundraising and financial management; governance and the respective roles of board, staff and volunteers; the political, economic and inter-organizational environment; community relations; needs assessment; and, planning and performance measurement. A highly interactive, hands-on course emphasizing discussion, case analysis and problem solving. See a sample syllabus for PAD 550.

NAL/PAD 656: Capstone Seminar in Nonprofit Leadership and Management (Required)
This seminar considers key aspects of leadership and management in the nonprofit sector as they are applied in practice and integrates significant theory and research results with practical skills. This course is intended as a capstone experience for students pursuing the graduate certificate in nonprofit management and/or the MPA nonprofit specialization.

Electives:

Two electives may be chosen from the following list. Other appropriate courses may be selected with approval from the student’s advisor.

• NAL 651 Fund Raising and External Relations for Nonprofit Organizations (4 credits)
• NAL 652 Financial Administration and Control of Nonprofit Organizations (4 credits)
• NAL 510 Proposal Writing and Program Development (4 credits)
• NAL 630 Public Human Resources Management (3 credits)
• NAL 498/598 Levin Chair Seminar in Volunteerism or other Special Topics offered by the Nonprofit Program

The required courses should be taken first. The time to completion of the certificate will range from 1 1/2 to 2 years, depending on whether students take one or two courses per semester and whether students attend classes during the summer session.

For more information, contact:
Graduate Programs Coordinator
Levin College of Urban Affairs
216.523-7522
urbanprograms@csuohio.edu