Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Leadership

Grand Valley State University is now accepting applications for the 2009-2010 Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Leadership. This 15-credit, graduate-level program consists of four on-line courses (take sequentially from September 2009 through July 2010) and three in-person, one-day workshops (meeting in Muskegon on 9/12/09, 5/8/10, and 7/31/10).

The Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Leadership provides a unique opportunity to pursue a theoretically based and practically oriented education in leadership for nonprofit professionals. This program offers nonprofit managers the up-to-date professional skills and perspectives required to lead their organizations in the rapidly changing and complex nonprofit sector of society.

The Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Leadership is taught by the faculty of the School of Public and Nonprofit Administration with the support of the Dorothy A Johnson Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership.

Program Content

Content includes engaging volunteers, advancing public agendas, managing organizational change, building agency capacity, fund development, nurturing new leadership, evaluating program outcomes, mastering information technology, improving board governance, and maintaining professional networks.

Other than the three workshops, there are no times when everyone participates at the same time. Every week there will be some combination of reading, discussion boards, video clips, group projects, case studies, and reaction papers. All course content will be accessible using a current web browser such as Internet Explorer 7 or Firefox 3. A high-speed Internet connection is recommended.

Program Audience

The Certificate in Nonprofit Leadership is specifically designed for the experienced nonprofit manager who has an advanced degree or an undergraduate degree and several years of professional experience. It is intended for those holding or seeking executive positions that wish to further their education without pursuing the full requirements for a graduate degree. However, courses and workshops taken in the certificate program may be applied toward the Master of Public Administration degree.

People who should benefit from the Certificate program include nonprofit agency managers and staff, community and labor organizers, foundation directors and staff, civic leaders, healthcare managers, event planners, clergy and ministry directors, grant managers, nonprofit board members and social workers.

The Certificate program has been offered for 15 years through traditional classes held on Grand Valley's downtown Pew Campus. Starting in Fall 2009, the Certificate program will also be offered in a cohort format through intensive in-person workshops and web-based courses. The certificate will be completed in one year, starting in Fall term and ending in Summer term. In 2009, the workshops will be held at the Stevenson Center for Higher Education at Muskegon Community College.

Program Requirements

The Certificate requires the completion of 15 credit hours of graduate study:

PA550 (Fall, 9/12/09)

NP Certificate Workshop I (1 credit)

PA661 (Fall, 15 weeks)

Nonprofit Management Practice (3 credits)

PA662 (Winter, 15 weeks)

Nonprofit Resource and Financial Management (3 credits)

PA551 (Spring, 5/8/10)

NP Certificate Workshop II (1 credit)

PA663 (Spring, 6 weeks)

Nonprofit Organization and Public Policy (3 credits)

PA665 (Summer, 6 weeks)

Nonprofit Boards, Trustees, and Governance (3 credits)

PA552 (Summer, 7/31/10)

NP Certificate Workshop III (1 credit)

Program Costs

The 2008-2009 cost per credit hour is $437. The cost per credit hour has not yet been set for the 2009-2010 school year. There are no other fees except the $30 application fee. Each class will require one or more book.

Application Requirements

Applicants for the Certificate Program in Nonprofit Leadership must:

1. Apply at http://admissions.gvsu.edu/admissions/grad.asp or call 616.331.6575 for an application packet.
2. Hold an advanced degree or a bachelor's degree with a minimum of 3.0 in the last two years of undergraduate work.
3. Have some professional experience in nonprofit organizations.
4. Submit official transcripts, an application essay and three letters of recommendation.

Applicants with less than a 3.0 grade point average may be admitted if other indicators predict a likelihood of academic success. These may include: five or more years of management experience since graduation with a baccalaureate degree and/or a GRE or GMAT score.

Admission decisions are made on a rolling basis until the cohort is full. Applications should be submitted no later than July 24, but earlier application is highly recommended.