PROPOSAL FOR A GRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN MANAGEMENT OF NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS

Approved by Public Administration Committee

November 3, 2006

 

Academic focus

 

Many government programs are increasingly implemented by organizations in the nonprofit sector.  In addition, nonprofit organizations are allied with government agencies in co-producing essential public goods and services.  As a result, nonprofit organizations comprise an increasingly significant portion of the American economy as well as an essential element in American civic life. They are found in such diverse fields as health care, education, human services, environmental management and criminal justice, as well as in cultural and civic activities. They thus provide vital services that are essential to the well being of communities.  The goal of the Certificate Program in Management of Nonprofit Organizations is to provide students with the managerial and analytical tools needed to help prepare them for leadership positions in nonprofit entities.

 

The nonprofit emphasis draws upon important public administration organizational and management principles that can be used in the nonprofit sector to strengthen systems and services. The certificate provides training in nonprofit management skills within the broader context of public administration knowledge. Our goal is to help students develop skills that can be used to achieve organizational missions uniquely aimed at serving the interests of the community.

 

Target clientele

 

The Certificate is intended primarily for professionals already working in the nonprofit sector or those in governmental or private settings who would like to work or volunteer in the nonprofit sector, and students without professional experience who seek to prepare themselves for nonprofit careers.  Staff in nonprofit agencies like United Way or government agencies like Ohio Job and Family Services that interact with NPO’s would be examples of likely students.

 

The fundamental organizational and management principles provided by this program can be used by leaders in the nonprofit sector to strengthen both their systems and service delivery and to prepare students to lead and administer nonprofit organizations. The Program provides affordable, practical and accessible information to people working in the nonprofit arena, whether they are paid staff, directors, board members, philanthropists or volunteers in human-service, cultural, educational, religious and community organizations. The Program integrates The University’s commitment to academic excellence with the practical wisdom of the instructors and the realistic work experience of the participants.

 

Prerequisites:

Undergraduate degree

PSC 3420 Principles of Public Administration or equivalent, or permission of Program Director

            (note:  additional prerequisites may be required for certain electives)

 

REQUIRED COURSES: (four)

 

PSC 5410 Management of Nonprofit Organizations

PSC 5440 Budgeting and Financial Administration

PSC 5430 Public Personnel Administration

Mktg 5170 Marketing for Nonprofit Organizations, or

Mktg 5410 Marketing Systems

 

ELECTIVES: One appropriate elective chosen with permission of the Director of the MPA Program from courses in the following departments:

 

Political Science and Public Administration

Accounting

Business Administration

Criminal Justice

Education Administration and Supervision

Public Health and Rehabilitative Services

Human Resource Management

Information Operations and Technology Management

Research and Measurement, Department of Foundations of Education

Endorsement from College of Business Administration.