Nonprofit Management Certificate

The Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management provides an overview of central concepts in managing nonprofit organizations and is intended to meet the needs of students seeking a focused experience in preparation for a career in nonprofit organizations. It may be appropriate for students who seek to expand their knowledge but who do not wish to commit to a master’s degree program.

Certificate students enroll in regular courses of the School, which carry graduate credit. Regular graduate tuition and fees apply. Under certain circumstances, credit earned in the certificate program also may be applied toward the Master of Public Administration degree. However, admission to the MPA degree program has separate requirements from those of the certificate program and students considering going on for a degree should consult with a faculty advisor early in their program.

Courses and requirements

The Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management requires that students complete 12 credit hours, including the courses listed below. Students must maintain at least a 3.0 grade point average in order to be awarded the Graduate Certificate.

Group 1: Required Course:

PAD 231: Governing and Managing Nonprofit Organizations

Group 2: At least ONE of the following courses:

PAD 232: Managing Fund Raising and Philanthropy
PAD 233: Nonprofit Enterprise

Group 3: Any TWO of the following courses:

PAD 218: International NGO Management
PAD 232: Managing Fund Raising and Philanthropy (If not taken as Group 2 requirement above)
PAD 233: Nonprofit Enterprise (If not taken as Group 2 requirement above)
PAD 234: Managing Nonprofit Boards
PAD 264: Public and Nonprofit Program Evaluation

Other Trachtenberg School nonprofit courses that may be offered from time to time

In certain circumstances, the certificate program advisor may approve courses offered in other GW schools as substitutes for courses listed in Group 3.

Admission to the Certificate Program

This program is available at the George Washington University's main campus in downtown Washington, DC. It is not available as a distance-learning program.

Director: Dr. Michael Worth
Coordinator: Catherine Johnston Matto