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Dr. Wallace E. Boston School of Business

Nonprofit Management

Online Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management

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Program Requirements Related Programs Admission Requirements Paying for School

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$0 Application Fee
$0 Transfer Credit Evaluation

0 Entrance Exams
No GRE/GMAT Required

About This Program

Establish a solid foundation in leadership, fundraising, government relations, communications, marketing, and finance with a graduate certificate in nonprofit management from American Public University (APU).

With an eye on today’s economic and regulatory environment, this online certificate’s nonprofit management courses explore elements critical to successful nonprofit management: tax exemption and legal classifications, brand management, human resource planning, board membership development, donor systems and communications, general accounting, and public relations.

This concentrated six-course nonprofit management graduate program will help you learn how to effectively engage advocates; measure and optimize performance; leverage social media resources; build enduring partnerships; and recruit, inspire, and motivate a volunteer base.

What You Will Do

  1. Analyze a nonprofit organization’s structure to maximize the work of its paid and volunteer staff and board members
  2. Understand the legal and moral responsibilities of executives and leaders within nonprofit corporations
  3. Evaluate a nonprofit’s financing to ensure it is able to draw an appropriate mix of funding from the variety of streams available
  4. Design and implement a fundraising plan for a charitable nonprofit to supplement other funding
  5. Understand the meaning of tax-exempt status and how this relates to an organization’s public service obligations under the law

Program at a Glance

Number of Credits
18
Transfer up to 9 credits1
Cost Per Credit
$455 | $250*
$386.75** | $409.50***
*with Preferred Military Rate
**with Veteran Grant
***with APUS Opportunity Grant
Courses Start Monthly
Online
and vary from 8 to 16 weeks

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Program Requirements Printable Catalog Version

Must take all courses for this section.

Course ID: 3909

|
A survey of the legal structure that defines and regulates the nonprofit sector and an examination of fundamental governance issues in nonprofit corporations. The focus of the course is on the board of directors (trustees) and the executive director and their fiduciary responsibilities established both by law and by the moral imperatives from actions on behalf of the public interest.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
07/29/24 - 01/03/25 01/06/25 - 03/02/25 Winter 2025 Session B 8 Week session
09/30/24 - 02/28/25 03/03/25 - 04/27/25 Winter 2025 Session D 8 Week session
11/28/24 - 05/02/25 05/05/25 - 06/29/25 Spring 2025 Session I 8 Week session

Course ID: 3910

|
A comparative analysis of the various theories, principles, and styles of leadership and how they apply to the management and governance challenges in nonprofits; complex organizations with a wide range of stakeholders and often fragile and fragmented financing.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
08/26/24 - 01/31/25 02/03/25 - 03/30/25 Winter 2025 Session I 8 Week session
10/28/24 - 04/04/25 04/07/25 - 06/01/25 Spring 2025 Session B 8 Week session
12/30/24 - 05/30/25 06/02/25 - 07/27/25 Spring 2025 Session D 8 Week session

Course ID: 3911

|
A comprehensive study of the key financial statements to help monitor the organization’s financial health. An analysis of fund accounting, the importance of quality financial reporting and financial controls to protect and sustain nonprofit organizations, and the budget as a tool to direct the organization are included in this course.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
07/29/24 - 01/03/25 01/06/25 - 03/02/25 Winter 2025 Session B 8 Week session
10/28/24 - 04/04/25 04/07/25 - 06/01/25 Spring 2025 Session B 8 Week session

Course ID: 3912

|
A comprehensive analysis of the dimensions of philanthropy in the United States, the structure of effective fundraising programs, and the competencies needed by successful fundraisers. The course also examines the motivations of donors, impact of tax policy on giving, and resources available for nonprofit fundraisers.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
07/29/24 - 01/03/25 01/06/25 - 03/02/25 Winter 2025 Session B 8 Week session
09/30/24 - 02/28/25 03/03/25 - 04/27/25 Winter 2025 Session D 8 Week session
11/28/24 - 05/02/25 05/05/25 - 06/29/25 Spring 2025 Session I 8 Week session

Course ID: 2728

|
This course will expand the student's understanding of the leading approaches to public administration with a focus on the local and state levels of government. It will cover topics including decision-making, budget and taxation, and electoral and legal differences between state and local governments and other states. It will cover the legislative process, and how it fits into the larger federal system. Students will see the implications to the larger federal issues they have studied and their application to state and local bureaucracies.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
08/26/24 - 01/31/25 02/03/25 - 03/30/25 Winter 2025 Session I 8 Week session
10/28/24 - 04/04/25 04/07/25 - 06/01/25 Spring 2025 Session B 8 Week session
12/30/24 - 05/30/25 06/02/25 - 07/27/25 Spring 2025 Session D 8 Week session

Choose 3 credit hours from this section.

Course ID: 2757

|
This course investigates today’s global environment of electronic commerce and that influence on today’s business enterprises. The learning’s in Strategic E-Commerce Marketing spotlight E-Commerce opportunities, issues, options and techniques necessary to create an appropriate ECommerce marketing plan for an enterprise. The course also provides the students with the real world experience of developing a pseudo working website in coincidence and in support of the Marketing plan. Other issues examined include channel structures given an electronic environment and the impact on supply chain management, e-tools, and ECommerce marketing as viewed through the traditional marketing mix. Critical evaluations of web sites, web tools, promotions, advertising, selling and communications are also explored.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
08/26/24 - 01/31/25 02/03/25 - 03/30/25 Winter 2025 Session I 8 Week session
10/28/24 - 04/04/25 04/07/25 - 06/01/25 Spring 2025 Session B 8 Week session
12/30/24 - 05/30/25 06/02/25 - 07/27/25 Spring 2025 Session D 8 Week session

Course ID: 2759

|
This course is a study of the elements involved in such key global marketing functions as product, price, place and promotional activities. Students will evaluate global marketing opportunities, develop strategy, and simulate implementation of it as it relates to total organizational strategy.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
07/29/24 - 01/03/25 01/06/25 - 03/02/25 Winter 2025 Session B 8 Week session
09/30/24 - 02/28/25 03/03/25 - 04/27/25 Winter 2025 Session D 8 Week session
11/28/24 - 05/02/25 05/05/25 - 06/29/25 Spring 2025 Session I 8 Week session

Courses Start Monthly

Next Courses Start Jan 6
Register by Jan 3
Apply Now Request Info

Admission Requirements

  • All APU master's degree/graduate certificate programs require a bachelor’s degree (or higher) from an institution whose accreditation is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA®).
  • Please read all graduate admission requirements before applying to this program and be prepared to submit the required documentation.
  • There is no fee to complete the APU admission application for this program. View steps to apply.

CHEA® is a registered trademark of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. 

Materials Cost

Technology fee: $85 per course 

Need Help?

Selecting the right program to meet your educational goals is a key step in ensuring a successful outcome. If you are unsure of which program to choose, or need more information, please contact an APU admissions coach at 877-755-2787 or [email protected].

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Consumer Information

Disclosures

Maryland Residents learn more about costs, completion rates, median debt, and more.

 

1The University reserves the right to accept or deny credits according to policies outlined on our University website. Please see the University's transfer credit policy webpage for complete information.

*Cost Per Credit Hour

The Preferred Military Rate is $250 per credit hour for undergraduate and master's-level courses. This rate is available to all U.S. active-duty servicemembers, National Guard members, Reservists, and military families, including parents, spouses, legal partners, siblings, and dependents.

See all military student benefits.

Cost of Attendance

Learn more about American Public University's cost components and full cost of attendance.