Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management

Prepare to make an impact in the world around you with the Nonprofit Management Graduate Certificate at Temple University’s College of Liberal Arts. The 12-credit hour certificate program is entirely online and primarily designed for graduate students aspiring to nonprofit careers.

Nonprofits play a critical problem-solving role in society, responding to challenges like access to healthcare, criminal justice reform, education reform, hunger, sustainability and more. The National Center for Charitable Statistics estimates that the U.S. has roughly 1.5 million nonprofits employing over 14 million workers. In this program, you will learn about the diversity of nonprofits and how these organizations vary in size, structure and scope. 

Government agencies contract with nonprofits to conduct research, evaluate programs, and deliver goods and services. Gain understanding of how nonprofits work with each other and with governments at the federal, state and local levels. 

The Nonprofit Management Graduate Certificate’s curriculum provides a foundation in the concepts, themes and tools of management. Develop the following competencies for the operation and direction of nonprofits.

  • Fundraising best practices including consideration of donor types
  • Managing finances including budgeting, investment and accounting
  • Measuring outcomes and evaluating effectiveness using assessment tools
  • Setting goals

The Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management is especially suitable for students in the Master of Public Policy (MPP) program and any other program that trains practitioners working in public service careers. This certificate is also a worthwhile investment for the following people.

  • Current nonprofit employees, volunteers and board members looking to increase their organization’s effectiveness
  • Master’s and PhD students seeking greater management-related knowledge and skills
  • PhD students writing dissertations on the nonprofit sector
  • Those looking to work or volunteer for a nonprofit organization

Program Format & Curriculum

Classes for the Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management are held online, with virtual synchronous sessions held in the evenings to accommodate working professionals. Students can be enrolled full or part time and have two years to complete the program.

The curriculum consists of four, three-credit courses for a total of 12 credits. The following courses are required. 

  • Financial Management for Nonprofit Organizations
  • Nonprofit Fundraising 
  • Nonprofit Organization and Management

Students choose one of the following electives.

  • Community Based Program Evaluation
  • Leadership in Public Service and Nonprofit Organizations
  • Social Entrepreneurship—Innovative Approaches to Achieving Positive Social Impact 

Students must pass all courses and maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 to earn the certificate.

Learn more about the coursework for the Nonprofit Management Graduate Certificate.

Related Graduate Degrees

Careers

Completion of the Nonprofit Management Graduate Certificate signals to employers that the student has a solid foundation in the theory and practical applications required to manage nonprofit organizations. 

Nonprofit management professionals work in a variety of different settings. The following are examples of nonprofit management roles.

  • Chief financial officer
  • Director of communication
  • Director of development
  • Director of information services
  • Executive director
  • Human resources director
  • Program director

Tuition & Fees

In keeping with Temple’s commitment to access and affordability, this Graduate Certificate offers a competitive level of tuition with multiple opportunities for financial support.

Tuition rates are set annually by the university and are affected by multiple factors, including program degree level (undergraduate or graduate), course load (full- or part-time), in-state or out-of-state residency, and more. These tuition costs apply to the 2023–2024 academic year.

Pennsylvania resident: $1,053.00 per credit
Out-of-state: $1,449.00 per credit

You can view the full Cost of Attendance breakdown on the Student Financial Services website.

LA-NPM-GRAD

Additional Program Information