Advanced Certificate in Nonprofit Management

Advanced Certificates 

Designed to prepare students to succeed in the leadership and administration of nonprofit organizations, the Advanced Certificate in Nonprofit Management is intended for practicing managers and leaders in a broad range of human service, cultural, educational, religious and community organizations, and for those who wish to prepare for professional advancement. The curriculum provides a theoretical and practical examination of the governance of nonprofit organizations, the management of volunteers and professionals, marketing, resource development and fundraising, strategic planning, program evaluation, financial oversight, and the social and political context of the nonprofit sector. All classes are offered during late afternoon or evening hours, online, and on weekends for the convenience of working adult students.

The curriculum covers all aspects of nonprofit administration and management:

  • Leading and managing non-profit organizations and interacting with boards of directors
  • Supervising volunteers and professionals
  • Fundraising and resource development
  • Marketing
  • Quantitative and qualitative program evaluation
  • Financial management
  • Planning and decision making
  • Social, economic and political trends affecting the nonprofit sector

Online & In-Class Formats Available

This certificate is available as a fully online or in-classroom certificate. Learn more about our online learning options.

Non-Degree Study Option*

Qualified students with WashU School of Continuing & Professional Studies (CAPS) authorization may take up to six units of Nonprofit Management graduate-level course work on a non-degree basis. To do so, please email caps@wustl.edu.

*International students are only eligible to apply for non-degree study as a Graduate Student-At-Large if they already hold a visa that permits part-time study. International students holding a B-2 or F-2 visa are only permitted to register for courses that are recreational or avocational. International students holding F1 visas are not eligible to apply for the “Graduate Student-At-Large” program or any of our advanced certificate programs at this time.

Admission Requirements

This graduate certificate program is open to qualified students with a baccalaureate degree, although others with significant professional or volunteer experience may apply after consulting with the program director. Qualified individuals in the community may also enroll in selected courses without participating in the full certificate program. With permission, students may enroll in Nonprofit Management courses before they are officially admitted to the certificate program.

US Citizenship or Eligible Noncitizen

International students interested in the certificate programs must hold a visa that permits part-time study (including F-2 and J-2 visas).  Students holding  F-1 visas are not eligible for these programs.  Students holding a B-2 visa may be eligible if the coursework is recreational or avocational in nature.

Application Requirements
Application Deadlines

Admission decisions are made on a rolling basis and typically take one to two weeks. An application is incomplete and will not be reviewed until all of the application requirements have been received or processed.  Applicants are encouraged to submit all materials by the following dates:

  • Summer 2024: April 30, 2024
  • Fall 2024: July 31, 2024
  • Spring 2025: Dec. 31, 2024
Completed Application Form

The online application is available on our Apply page. Applications are ready for review when all fields on the application form are completed and the required documents have been received.

Official Transcripts From All Previous College Work

Transcripts are required from each institution that you have attended and taken courses, received your bachelor’s degree, taken post-graduate courses, or where a higher-level degree was conferred.  Official transcripts must be sent directly from the school’s registrar to CAPS.  Electronic transcripts should be forwarded to caps@wustl.edu.  For transcript questions, please get in touch with our Admission Coordinator/CRM Specialist, Patricia Agnew, paagnew@wustl.edu.

Non-United States course work transcript verification
If the transcript you submit for consideration is from a college or university outside the United States, a course by course transcript evaluation is also required. Evaluations will be accepted from World Education Services (WES), Spantran or another member institution of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). For Spantran evaluations, you must use this form

Personal Essay

Tell us about yourself in a brief essay (about 250 words). Why are you applying to WashU School of Continuing & Professional Studies? What are your goals, both academic and professional? Is there additional information we should know about you when considering your application?

TOEFL/IELTS Scores (if applicable)

All international students are required to submit TOEFL iBT or IELTS scores at the time of application. The TOEFL iBT and IELTS may be waived for applicants who, immediately prior to their application for admission, have done both of the following:

  • Lived for three years or longer in the United States or another country where English is the primary language of daily life (e.g. Canada or United Kingdom).
  • Completed three or more years of study at a college or university which is located in that country and where the language of instruction is English.

This policy applies to all international students, even those who have earned a degree from a United States college or university.

If an applicant moves away from an English-speaking country after living and studying there for three years or more, TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo scores are then required for admission. 

Changes to the English Language Proficiency Requirements (2022–23)
Effective March 23, 2022, if an applicant is unable to take the TOEFL iBT or the IELTS, they may document their efforts to take the tests, contact the CAPS Admissions, and request the Duolingo, TOEFL ITP Plus for China, or TOEFL iBT Home Edition as exceptions. 

International student application deadlines & fees

Additional TOEFL and IELTS information for international students adversely affected by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) can be found on the CAPS International Student Information webpage.

US Citizenship or Eligible Noncitizen

International students interested in undergraduate programs must hold a visa that permits part-time study (including F-2 and J-2 visas).  Students holding  F-1 visas are not eligible for these programs.  Students holding a B-2 visa may be eligible if the coursework is recreational or avocational in nature.

Three Letters of Recommendation

A college instructor or professional associate should complete letters of recommendation. If an instructor cannot be contacted, applicants may submit a waiver request to provide three professional recommendations. Letters can be submitted through the online application or mailed by the recommender.

Personal Interview

A personal interview with CAPS staff is recommended, and an interview may be requested by the Program Coordinator or Director of Admissions. 

Writing Sample

Describe a significant challenge to the nonprofit sector over the next three years, and explain how you will respond to this challenge as a nonprofit professional.

Enrolling in WashU School of Continuing & Professional Studies (CAPS)

We are here for you every step. Getting started at CAPS is easy.

1. Meet with a Recruiter
2. Start Your Application
  • Applying is easy, and our advisors are here to help you find the path that fits your needs. Apply Today!
3. Plan Ahead

Take a course today. Apply later.

At CAPS, students can take courses without applying to a degree program. If you are interested in taking a class to get to know CAPS, to fulfill credits, for professional development, or to follow a passion, the non-degree option is for you. Learn more.

Course Work

Nonprofit Management courses can be applied to the MA in Nonprofit Management degree program, and some can be applied to the MA in Human Resources Management program, offered through CAPS.

REQUIRED COURSES: 12 UNITS

  • Management in Nonprofit Organizations (U76 507)
  • Resource Development for Nonprofit Organizations (U76 508)
  • Financial Management of Nonprofit Organizations (U76 525)
  • Legal Issues Impacting Nonprofit Organizations (U76 570) 

ELECTIVE COURSES: 3 UNITS (APPROVED NONPROFIT MANAGEMENT COURSE WORK)

CFRE International Approved Courses

Some Nonprofit Management courses are approved for 37.5 CFRE certification points per course. Please review our individual course descriptions to determine which courses are approved.

Student Success Navigators

Every CAPS student is paired with a Student Success Navigator at the time of admission to help you navigate your path and needs. We will provide you with the tools to make each moment spent on your education as valuable as possible. Students will receive:

  • individual appointments with an experienced Student Success Navigator;
  • career planning services to prepare you for opportunities after graduation;
  • a partner throughout your journey to ensure success.

HOURS
Student Success Navigators are available from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday.

Email

Still have questions?

Program Coordinator: 
Joe Cruz
314-935-8665
CJoe@wustl.edu

Academic Advisor:
Rebecca O’Laughlin 
314-935-6742
Rolaughlin@wustl.edu