UA Little Rock offers a graduate certificate in nonprofit management for executives, directors, and managers of nonprofit organizations as well as students interested in entering the nonprofit sector. The program is designed to improve the management and leadership skills of people working in organizations in a variety of settings. Many students who finish the graduate certificate will enroll in the MPA program.
The curriculum combines scholarly knowledge with practical applications. Classes are taught by knowledgeable faculty and experienced professionals from a variety of fields including public administration, social work, communication, and finance, and by experienced professionals in the local nonprofit community. Learning with managers from nonprofit organizations enables students to develop their personal styles of management and leadership while gaining knowledge and skills in topics outside their immediate job areas for further professional growth.
The graduate certificate requires 18 graduate credit hours, including 6 required hours and 12 approved elective hours. In the Capstone Course, students prepare and present a final group project to a nonprofit or government client.
Admission Requirements
All applicants to the graduate certificate in Nonprofit Management must have a baccalaureate degree from an institutionally, regionally, or internationally accredited institution. Applicants can be from any discipline or major.
Applicants must submit all transcripts from previous institutions to the UA Little Rock Graduate School. Work in other graduate or professional programs will be considered in admission decisions. In addition, all applicants must submit the following documents directly to the Nonprofit Management graduate coordinator:
- A written statement of educational and career goals
- A current resume
- Two letters of recommendation
Applicants will be considered for regular admission if they have achieved a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better on a previous baccalaureate or graduate degree, or if they have achieved a GPA of 3.0 or better on their last 60 hours of coursework.
Graduation Requirements
- Cumulative GPA of at least 3.0
- Successfully passing of both the written capstone project and the oral presentation of the project.
Curriculum
For professionals not wanting to enroll in a university degree program, the Certified Volunteer Manager program offered through APAC can serve as a beneficial alternative. At the undergraduate level, the Nonprofit Leadership Studies minor offers students an opportunity to prepare for leadership roles in nonprofit organizations.
Gainful Employment Disclosure: Federal regulations require UA Little Rock to disclose specific information about any non-degree program that is approved for Title IV federal financial aid. Currently, this certificate program is eligible for federal financial aid.
For more information, contact Dr. Jerry Stevenson: jgstevenson@ualr.edu or 501-916-6049.
