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Nonprofit Management Certificate Online Graduate Program

Matthew Seawright, who earned his degree in 2019, holding his framed SNHU degree in an office with a computer monitor and bookshelf in the background.

Cost per credit $637

Total courses 6

Total credits 18

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Program Overview Why get a nonprofit management certificate online?

Position yourself to manage a diverse range of nonprofit organizations with an online Leadership of Nonprofit Organizations Graduate Certificate from Southern New Hampshire University. Through your coursework, you'll learn how to lead organizational change, initiate and implement strategic planning, develop financial support and create effective marketing strategies. The best part? Because the program is only 6 classes, you could complete it in less than 1 year.

Skills you'll learn:

  • Decision-making techniques
  • Effective leadership practices
  • Organizational change tactics
  • Strategic planning methods
  • Financial support sourcing
  • Budgeting approaches
Kerry Smith at a desk in an office working on her laptop with an open notebook and smartphone beside her.

Courses & Curriculum Nonprofit management certificate online classes that make an impact

In this program, you'll explore marketing, leadership and organizational concepts, and strategies for nonprofit organizations. 2 of your courses will be focused on marketing, while the other 4 will hone in on leadership skills.

Your nonprofit leadership certificate may also pair well (and, in some cases, even overlap) with one of SNHU's master's programs, should you choose to take your education further.

Degree Courses

Online nonprofit management courses

Our Leadership of Nonprofit Organizations Graduate Certificate is 18 credits – or only 6 classes. You'll learn from instructors who have years of experience in leadership and with nonprofit organizations. Many adjuncts are currently serving in these positions, which gives you the opportunity to know what's happening at nonprofits right now.

Courses may include:

Course ID: MKT 500
This course is a study of the activity by which organizations discover consumer and other organizations' needs and wants, and then provide satisfaction through a mutually beneficial relationship. Students will explore the topics of selecting a target market, conducting marketing research, and designing product, price, promotional, and distribution strategies through the development of a marketing plan.
Course ID: MKT 660
Students in this course apply marketing concepts and practices to not-for-profit organizations. This course also explores sources of financial support and strategies for their development.
Course ID: OL 500
This course is a study of individuals and groups and their interaction. Students examine theories of motivation, communication, leadership, power and change with practical relation to contemporary issues. They also study organizations for key design variables and reward systems aimed at improved performance and organizational efficiency through employee motivational programs, participative management and cooperative decision making.
Course ID: OL 663
This course focuses on transforming organizations by introducing Kotter's eight processes by which leaders effect change. Because organizations, leaders, and employees differ, various techniques and strategies are examined. The course integrates Kotter's processes for leading change, organizational development and transformation theory and practice, and analysis of an organization which has effected systematic change. The use of work teams as a key change factor will have special emphasis.
Course ID: OL 665
This course is a study of planning, budgeting, control and other management activities in the context of the not-for-profit institution.
Course ID: OL 670
This course combines theory and practice by encouraging students to learn traditional and contemporary leadership theories and apply them to the analysis of the behavior of business managers, entrepreneurs and other recognized individuals. This course includes readings, cases, exercises and numerous examples of effective leadership models. Areas covered include the societal evolution of leadership; the leadership roles of strategy, vision and transformational change; the development of leaders; the leadership responsibilities of creating effective teams, organizations and cultures; the exploration of different leadership styles; and current popular approaches to leadership theory.

 Visit the course catalog to view the full Leadership of Nonprofit Organizations Graduate Certificate curriculum.

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Upcoming term starts: March 24, 2025 | June 9, 2025

Next term starts:
Jan. 6, 2025

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Online Student Experience What’s it like going to SNHU?

Attending college online at SNHU can be a life-changing experience. In fact, 93.2% of online students would recommend SNHU according to a 2023 survey with 21,000+ respondents.

What to expect:

10-week terms

Learn around your schedule

24/7 online support

Online Classroom

What does an online course look like?

You’ll take your courses within SNHU’s Brightspace platform. This is where you’ll find your:

  • Schedule of weekly assignments
  • Discussion boards
  • Grades
  • Instructor announcements
How to Take an Online Class at SNHU
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Whether you're applying for an undergraduate or graduate degree, you’ll fill out a form to verify your previous education experience. As part of our admissions process, we'll help you request transcripts from your previous school(s) to see if you can transfer any credits into your SNHU program! (Also for free!)

After reviewing your official evaluation, you can decide if SNHU is right for you! If you choose to enroll, just pick your start date and get ready for classes to begin.

Talk to an admission counselor: 888.327.SNHU | enroll@snhu.edu

Accreditations

SNHU is accredited by the regional accreditor the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). The university also carries specialized accreditations for some programs.

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Tuition Cost & Savings College can be more affordable than you think

As a nonprofit university, SNHU offers some of the lowest online tuition rates in the country. And when you work with our Financial Services team, we'll explore ways to help you save even more on your education – and customize a payment plan that works for you.

This certificate is not eligible for federal financial aid. Students seeking alternatives to federal financial aid can explore tuition assistance, grants and scholarships, as well as private loans. To learn more about private loans, visit our Funding Your Education with Student Loans page.

Online certificate tuition

Student
Cost per credit
Cost per course
Cost for 18-credit certificate
Full- and part-time students
$637
$1,911
$11,466
Active-duty military and spouses | Full- and part-time students**
$470
$1,410
$8,460

Tuition rates are subject to change and are reviewed annually.

*Note: Students receiving this rate are not eligible for additional discounts.

Additional costs: Course materials vary by course.

Career Outlook What can I do with a leadership of nonprofit organizations graduate certificate?

In the United States alone, there are 1.3 million charitable nonprofit organizations.1 And each of these groups relies on the help and the goodness of others to forward their mission. Because there are so many types of nonprofits, you should be able to find an area you're passionate about — from human services to education.

Occupations

Earning this online certificate can help position you for a number of roles, including:

Review press releases and sponsor corporate events to help maintain and improve the image of clients.

Oversee campaigns and events intended to bring in donations for an organization.

Organize events and campaigns to raise money and other donations for an organization.

Prepare instruction manuals, journal articles and more to communicate complex information in a simpler manner.

6%

Increase in roles for public relations and fundraising managers through 2032, projected by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).1

$130,480

Median annual pay for public relations and fundraising managers as of May 2023, according to the BLS.1

Understanding the numbers
When reviewing job growth and salary information, it’s important to remember that actual numbers can vary due to many different factors—like years of experience in the role, industry of employment, geographic location, worker skill and economic conditions. Cited projections do not guarantee actual salary or job growth.

Frequently Asked Questions

A nonprofit management certificate is a credential that can help you develop specialized skills to successfully lead a charitable organization.

Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) offers a graduate nonprofit leadership certificate that can provide you with a better understanding of what makes an organization thrive. When you've completed the program, you can begin using those practices and strategies to help your nonprofit really take off.

Fundraising events and campaigns throughout the year can be crucial to a nonprofit forwarding its cause. That's why you'll take 2 marketing courses – to help you understand consumer needs, budgeting and promotions, so you can create a solid marketing plan.

You'll also take courses on leadership so you can motivate your staff, your volunteers and your donors to follow your lead to effect change inside and outside of your organization.

A variety of degrees could be used to work in nonprofit management. Business administration, finance, marketing, communications – just to name a few.

However, if you specifically want to learn about leadership within nonprofits, a Leadership of Nonprofit Organizations Graduate Certificate could be just what you're looking for.

If you have your undergraduate degree, this 6-course graduate certificate could be a first step toward career mobility. If you're a master's-degree holder, this certificate may help you develop the right skill set for your ideal job.

The certificate program includes classes on both marketing and leadership – 2 crucial topics in the nonprofit sector. Of the courses, 2 were designed just for the nonprofits, so you can learn about planning, budgets and strategies that are unique to this area of the workforce.

Yes – and many people do! Nonprofits are similar to many other organizations in that they need a variety of skill sets to keep everything moving.

The National Council of Nonprofits reports that millions in the U.S. alone work for nonprofits. More than 10% of the private workforce (12.3 million citizens) is employed by nonprofits.1

But don't be fooled by the term "nonprofit." Employees are paid, and financial impacts are made on a variety of causes. "Nonprofit" typically refers to how the organization is classified for its tax code, as well as the conditions it needs to meet to remain in this category.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that management occupations are in demand. Through 2032, the BLS projects management occupations to grow faster than the average for all occupations through 2023.2

In addition, fundraising and public relations managers should also see more open roles, with 6% growth projected through 2032.2

Working for a nonprofit has many benefits personally and professionally – and you won't have to worry about not making a living wage to do so.

Yes, you can earn a nonprofit management certificate online. A number of universities offer online certificates to help you sharpen your skill set.

Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) is especially equipped to teach about the nonprofit sector, because we're also a nonprofit.

Plus, there are perks to earning your nonprofit leadership certificate online.

First is the convenience factor. When you earn your degree online, you aren't confined to someone else's schedule – you get to create your own. In fact, SNHU offers 24/7 coursework access.

Another factor when you're looking at online leadership certificate programs is the cost. At SNHU, we're committed to keeping costs low. In fact, our online tuition rates are some of the lowest in the nation.

You'll also have the chance to work with instructors who currently work in nonprofit and leadership roles, which can provide valuable insight.

Related Articles

Sources & Citations

1National Council of Nonprofits, on the internet, at:

  • https://www.councilofnonprofits.org/what-is-a-nonprofit (viewed Apr. 9, 2024)
  • https://www.nonprofitimpactmatters.org/site/assets/files/1/nonprofit-impact-matters-sept-2019-1.pdf (viewed Apr. 9, 2024)

2Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, on the internet, at:

  • https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/public-relations-managers.htm (viewed Apr. 19, 2024)
  • https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/home.htm (viewed Apr. 9, 2024)

Cited projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth.