Nonprofit Management Graduate Certificate

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The graduate certificate in Nonprofit Management is designed for students currently employed in nonprofit organizations as well as students interested in entering the nonprofit sector. The curriculum combines scholarly knowledge with practical applications. Classes are taught by experienced faculty from a variety of fields including public administration, social work, communication, and finance, and by experienced professionals in the local nonprofit community.

Courses present trends affecting nonprofits and government alike and how to use these for the successful leadership and management of nonprofit organizations. Learning with professional managers from other nonprofit organizations, students can develop their style of leadership and management while gaining knowledge and skills in topics outside their immediate job areas for further professional growth. Students gain valuable hands-on project and consulting experience and enjoy a close relationship with faculty and colleagues in the program. For more information, see the website.

Admission Requirements

All applicants to the graduate certificate in Nonprofit Management must have a baccalaureate degree from an institutionally, regionally, or internationally accredited institution. Applicants can be from any discipline or major.

Applicants must submit all transcripts from previous institutions to the UA Little Rock Graduate School. Work in other graduate or professional programs will be considered in admission decisions. In addition, all applicants must submit the following documents directly to the Nonprofit Management graduate coordinator:

A written statement of educational and career goals
A current resume
Two letters of recommendation

Regular Admission

Applicants will be considered for regular admission if they have achieved a cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale or better on a previous baccalaureate or graduate degree, or if they have achieved a GPA of 3.0 or better on their last 60 hours of coursework.

Conditional Admission

Applicants will be considered for conditional admission if they have achieved a GPA between 2.7 and 2.99 on a previous baccalaureate or graduate degree, or if they have achieved a GPA between 2.7 and 2.99 on their last 60 hours of coursework. Conditionally admitted students must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or better in their first 9 hours of coursework to remain in the program.

Special Conditional Admission

Applicants with a GPA between 2.4 and 2.69 who demonstrate extraordinary potential for professional achievement may petition the Nonprofit Management Graduate Coordinator for special consideration if they have a minimum of three years of verified professional work in nonprofits and are recommended after a personal interview. Applicants whose petitions are approved by the Nonprofit Management Graduate Coordinator will be subject to the same requirements and restrictions as those listed above for conditionally admitted students.

Program Requirements

The graduate certificate in Nonprofit Management requires 18 graduate credit hours, including 6 required hours and 12 approved elective hours. In the Capstone Course, students prepare and present a final group project to a nonprofit or government client.

Required Courses

PADM 7336 - Managing the Not-for-Profit Sector (Three hours)
PADM 7374 - Capstone Project (Three hours)

Electives

Other elective courses must be approved in advance by the graduate coordinator.

Current approved elective courses include:

PADM 7313 - Human Resource Management in the Public Sector
PADM 7324 - Financial Management for Nonprofit Organizations
PADM 7326 - Public and Organizational Networks for Nonprofits
PADM 7334 - Grant Writing and Fundraising
PADM 7335 - Urban Management
PADM 7341 - Managing Public Disputes
PADM 7346 - Current Issues in Public and Nonprofit Management
PADM 7380 - Public Program Evaluation
SPCH 7311 - Small Group Communication
RHET 5375 - Grant Writing
MCOM 7350 - PR for 21st Century Non-Profits

Graduation Requirements

Cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 on an approved program of study as outlined above.
Successfully passing of both the written capstone project and the oral presentation of the project.

Note: Course descriptions of the PADM courses may be found in the Public Administration portions of the catalog, MCOM courses descriptions may be found in the Mass Communications portion of this catalog, RHET courses may be found under the Professional and Technical Writing portion of the catalog, and SOWK course descriptions may be found in the Social Work portions of this catalog.