Online Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Leadership

The online Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Leadership prepares students with the foundational skills needed to advance to leadership roles at nonprofit organizations in the public and private sectors.  The 18-credit certificate is stackable and consists of three interactive, 6-credit graduate courses that offer the flexibility that working adults need to be successful.  Courses are delivered completely online and focus on philanthropy, nonprofit finance and operations and nonprofit governance and leadership. The program prepares students to advance professionally or transition to a new career in the nonprofit sector.  

What You Can Expect 

  • Gain skills and expertise that can be applied directly to your career on day one
  • The ability to finish your graduate certificate in one year on a part-time basis
  • Flexible, online courses that work around your busy schedule - and optional live online sessions with your professors
  • Lively interaction with your classmates and professors
  • No capstone or practicum requirements

Free Books:  New students who apply for the Fall 2021 semester can get free books for their first course. 

Stackable, Affordable, Flexible: The 18 graduate credits earned in the certificate fit seamlessly into the College’s MS in Organizational Leadership and Management program with a concentration in Nonprofit Leadership.

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Curriculum and Course Descriptions

ONL 520 Development & Philanthropy (6 credits, 15 weeks)
This course reviews theories and practices in fundraising, foundation development, partnerships and philanthropy leadership in nonprofit and public organizations.  Students will review applicable strategy development and execution along with appropriate software applications.  An overview of grant writing will also be provided.  Students will complete an applied development and philanthropy project pertaining to a theoretical or actual organizational setting of their choice.
Prerequisite:  Admission to the Nonprofit Leadership certificate program.

ONL 540 Nonprofit Finance and Operations (6 credits, 15 weeks)
This course reviews theories, practices, and technology applications relevant to financial and operations management in nonprofit and public organizations. An overview of labor relations practices related to nonprofit and public organizational financial operations will also be provided.  Students will have the opportunity to apply these to the preparation of a detailed financial and operations plan in a select nonprofit organization.
Prerequisite:  Admission to the Nonprofit Leadership certificate program.

ONL 560 Nonprofit Governance and Leadership (6 credits, 15 weeks)
This course reviews leadership theory and practice pertaining to governance and leadership strategies employed in nonprofit and public organizations.  Labor relations strategies will be reviewed in context, as well as the functioning of governing boards.  Students will propose resolutions to hypothetical and actual governance and leadership issues on nonprofit and public organizations.
Prerequisite:  Admission to the Nonprofit Leadership program certificate program. 
Recommended:  An undergraduate or graduate course in Management; completion of OLM 501

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Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Leadership will be able to apply principles of Leadership to nonprofit and public organizational settings in the areas of:

  1. Governance
  2. Finance
  3. Operations
  4. Philanthropy
  5. Labor relations

Upcoming Start Dates

Fall 2021

  • Applications due:  Aug. 15, 2021
  • Classes start:  Sept. 10, 2021

Spring 2022

  • Applications due:  Dec. 15, 2021
  • Classes start:  Jan. 14, 2022

Estimated Tuition for the Certificate 

$13,896* 
($772 per credit x 18 credits)

*excludes books

See if you qualify for a corporate tuition discount.

APPLY NOW - For more information about how to apply or admissions requirements, contact the Office of Graduate Studies at masters@peirce.edu or 215.670.9325.

Emergency Student Aid

Emergency Student Aid grants are available for Peirce students. Grants can be used to pay off balances, cover tuition, buy books, and for all costs of attendance, including food, rent, childcare, and transportation. Learn more.

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