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Non-Profit Management Certificate
Enhance your leadership skills to expand your impact.
Today’s charitable organizations are facing a unique set of challenges navigating a complex economy. Fairfield University’s graduate non-profit management certificate was designed to help passionate professionals develop and refine the administrative and leadership skills they need to amplify their organization’s mission.
Built for those who are interested or already working in the non-profit sector, this 12-credit program will help students acquire the practical skills needed to effectively manage an impactful and financially stable organization. Advance your career further by laddering directly into a master’s of public administration when you’re ready.
Completion Time: 8 months
Schedule: Full-time | Part-time
Start Dates: Fall (September) | Spring (January) | Summer (May)
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Tips for Success: Fairfield's MPA Non-Profit Management Track
Thursday, April 25 at 6 p.m. ET
Increase your influence with a graduate certificate in non-profit management.
Curriculum
Acquire practical skills you can put to work right away.
The curriculum in this non-profit certificate program is centered on career-relevant skills that can be applied to your day-to-day work immediately. You’ll gain a solid understanding of the foundations of public administration in a non-profit environment while developing key competencies, such as grant writing, project management, fundraising, and budget planning.
Through constructive dialogue and experiential learning, you’ll sharpen your analytical and management skills so you can effectively evaluate and strengthen your organization’s performance to help ensure long-term stability.
Learn more about the non-profit certificate program. Take the next step.
Potential positions for individuals with a non-profit management certificate include:
- Non-profit program director
- Fundraising coordinator
- Communications director
- Grant writer
- Finance manager
Courses (12 total credits)
- Introduction to Public Administration
- Economics of the Nonprofit Sector
- Project Management
- Data Analysis for Public Administrators
- Grant Writing
Build a meaningful career that gives back.
Highlights
Tailor your courses to fit your precise career needs.
All students in this online non-profit certificate program will gain a deep understanding of the public administration field and the economics of the non-profit sector. Build upon that foundation further by choosing two elective courses that will help you round out your skill set in the particular areas you need, including financial management, grant writing, and project management.
Apply your certificate toward a master’s degree — if and when you choose.
Upon earning your non-profit management certificate, you’ll be equipped with ready-to-use skills that will empower you to make an immediate impact in your position. If you decide you’d like to advance your career further, you can transfer all 12 credits toward a Fairfield master of public administration degree at any time.
Faculty & Academic Approach
Career-relevant curriculum delivered by leaders in the field.
Our distinguished faculty members bring decades of industry experience into the classroom, offering invaluable, firsthand advice for future leaders in the non-profit world. By earning a graduate certificate in non-profit management at Fairfield, you’ll gain practical knowledge and hands-on training directly from seasoned professionals.
Gayle Alberda
Prior to her career in academia, Dr. Alberda held many positions in the political field and worked on campaigns ranging from city council to governor to U.S. Senate. She has been recognized for her research and contributions to various industry publications and often serves as a political analyst for prominent media outlets. See more
Thomas J. Murray III
Dr. Murray joined the Fairfield University faculty in 2011 after earning a PhD in economics from the University of Notre Dame. His teaching interests include financial management and budgeting, urban economics, and the economics of sports, and his work has been published in several economics publications. See more
Experience our College of Arts and Sciences.
Fairfield’s College of Arts and Sciences offers graduate programs and certificates that promote intellectual and reflective query, discovery, and practice — allowing students to build the foundation for a lifetime of learning. You’ll benefit from our flexible schedules, collaborative learning environments, and enriching field experiences that set the stage for career advancement.
Enhance your role as a public administrator with a graduate certificate in non-profit management.
Admissions
Guidance as you pursue your non-profit management certificate online.
From your first admission conversation to program completion, you’ll find support at every turn. The Fairfield University student support network is dedicated to meeting your needs and offering personal, academic, and financial guidance as you progress through your non-profit certificate program.
Admission requirements
The non-profit management certificate program at Fairfield University is open to students with a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university. A GPA of 3.0 or above is preferred.
- A completed online application.
- A non-refundable $65 application fee paid by credit card. (Application fee is waived for current Fairfield students and individuals who attend an information session.)
- A professional resume. Applicants are required to submit (online) a current resume that includes employment and education history.
- Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended demonstrating a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0. All foreign transcripts must be evaluated by an approved evaluating service.
Want details on courses, schedules, and financial aid? We’re here to help.
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The future you want starts here.
Earn an online graduate degree that fits your life and your goals. We’ll give you the flexibility and career skills you need to make it happen. Take the next step and learn more.