Nonprofit Leadership, Certificate

Program Overview

This Nonprofit Leadership certificate program equips students with the knowledge and skills to excel in various roles within the nonprofit sector. Through core courses and restricted electives, students gain expertise in program planning, financial management, and program administration. An internship provides practical experience, preparing graduates for careers such as Executive Director, Development Director, and Program Director.

Program Outline

Outline:

Program Requirements:

Major Common Core:

• NPL 273: Introduction to the Nonprofit Sector (3 credits)
• Designed as an introduction to the nonprofit sector, this course provides the foundation for students working toward a certificate in Nonprofit Leadership.
This workshop addresses the historical and philosophical foundations in nonprofit leadership as well as exploring key leadership issues.
• NPL 473: Advanced Workshop in Nonprofit Leadership (3 credits)
• Designed as the sequel to NPL 273, this course addresses managing operations, developing and managing financial services, and managing people.
This course will include a service-learning component.

Major Restricted Electives:

• GWS 330: Feminist Activism and Social Justice (4 credits)
• This course examines fundamentals of feminist research and the relationship between theory and practice.
Students will engage philosophical and methodological questions about the production of knowledge; learn concrete research skills; and complete individual research/action projects.Spring
• RPLS 376: Program Planning in RPLS (3 credits)
• The emphasis of this course is on the program planning process-from creating the idea through evaluation of the program-and how it fits into the agency profile.
Various formats such as leisure learning, tournaments, trips and outings, and special events are highlighted for a variety of leisure service agencies.
• SOC 466: Program Planning and Evaluation (4 credits)
• Nonprofit, human services, and many other organizations develop programs and interventions to help people, the environment, animals, and the community.
This course will explore the theoretical and practical aspects of how to plan and evaluate these programs using effective, evidence-based methods. Students will learn the basics of how to design and evaluate a program and will also have an opportunity to practice developing aspects of an actual program.
• SOWK 435: Applied Social Work Research (4 credits)
• Explores research issues and techniques, needs assessments, and program and practice evaluations.
In addition, there is a lab designed to supplement class discussions and to assist students in understanding some of the technical details and specific skills associated with conducting research and writing a research proposal. The lab enhances skills in developing questionnaires, reviewing previous studies, using American Psychological Association (APA) citations and data analysis using SPSS. Another Statistics course may meet the course prerequisite with approval of the BSSW Program Advisor.
• URBS 413: Urban Program Evaluation (3 credits)
• Reviews processes and techniques related to evaluation of public programs.

• NPL 486: Fundraising for Nonprofits (3 credits)
• Designed as an overview to fundraising and development for nonprofit organizations, this course addresses the development of a fundraising plan and attracting donors.
There will be an emphasis on organizational outreach using both traditional and new media.
• NPL 488: Financial Management for Nonprofits (3 credits)
• Designed as an overview of financial management for nonprofit organizations, this course addresses the integration of mission-driven planning and financial management with an emphasis on tax exemption, accounting systems, financial statements, budgets, and regulatory reporting.
• RPLS 465: Event Planning and Design (3 credits)
• This course introduces students to the concepts, principles, and the design involved in the event planning strategy; special event management; stakeholder development; budgets and finance; site selection; contracts, vendors, and marketing and promotions.
• RPLS 473: Recreation Management II-Fiscal Resources (3 credits)
• This course investigates basic economic principles behind managing finances and budgets in recreation, sport and tourism settings.
Particular attention will be applied to revenue generation, specifically via grant writing, and creating and managing budgets. Upper division prerequisites can be taken concurrently with instructor permission.
• URBS 453: Grants Administration (3 credits)
• Raising resources for public and nonprofit organizations--from needs assessment through obtaining funding to managing the grant after it is awarded.

• NPL 460: Administering Cultural Organizations (3 credits)
• Theoretical and practical aspects of administering arts organizations.
Examines the management, budgeting, marketing, and administration or cultural organizations in the postmodern era.
• RPLS 483: Personnel Leadership in RPLS (3 credits)
• This course examines leadership roles in and principles of human resources in recreation and park organizations to build and maintain an effective work force.
A range of human resource topics and leadership theories are explored.
• SOC 417: Program Administration (4 credits)
• This higher level course offers knowledge, strategies, tools-techniques, and leadership skills to effectively manage human and social services programs.
Learn sociological theories of organizations and behavior to manage programs and organizations with different structures and functions. Apply learned skills to current and/or future professional positions as, e.g., project managers, organizational leaders and CEOs, or as private contractors to federal and state government, local community, and/or international organizations.
• URBS 230: Community Leadership (3 credits)
• Introduction to community leadership-elected, professional, or voluntary-and the skills and values which support it.
• URBS 230W: Community Leadership (3 credits)
• Introduction to community leadership-elected, professional, or voluntary-and the skills and values which support it.

A three (3) credit internship with a qualifying nonprofit organization is required. The internship must be developed under the guidance of the Director of Nonprofit Leadership.

• GWS 498: Internship: Community (1-6 credits)
• The Gender and Women's Studies internship provides students with the opportunity to gain experience within an on-campus, off-campus private, public or community organization.
This internship provides a means for pursuing an interest in a field of work, or within a particular organization; gaining work and/or activist experience and practical skills; making appropriate contacts which might be useful in establishing a future career.
• NPL 497: Internship: Nonprofit Leadership (3 credits)
• The internship in nonprofit leadership is designed to provide an opportunity to apply coursework, to develop key skills in the nonprofit sector, to experience professional socialization, and to inform potential career trajectories.
The internship must be completed within a nonprofit organization.
• RPLS 497: Internship (1-8 credits)
• Course based on student/advisor agreement.
• RPLS 497: Internship (1-8 credits)
• Course based on student/advisor agreement.
• SOC 497: Internship: Sociology (1-12 credits)
• The internship in sociology is designed to provide opportunity to apply classroom learning, to practice and enhance skills, to experience professional socialization, and to explore a career.
It also serves as a vehicle for the student to become more aware of personal strengths and identify areas in which further growth is needed.
• SOWK 497: Internship: Social Work (1-10 credits)
• Additional field experience in approved social agency.

Careers:

Nonprofit Leadership Career Opportunities

This certificate provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary for a variety of career opportunities in the nonprofit sector, including:

• Executive Director
• Development Director
• Program Director
• Fundraising Manager
• Public Relations Manager
• Marketing Manager
• Human Resources Manager
• Operations Manager
• Communications Coordinator
• Grant Writer
• Volunteer Coordinator