Nonprofit Management Graduate Certificate
November 1, 2025
January 12, 2026
Lead nonprofits to create meaningful change in your community
The nonprofit sector is growing rapidly, creating high demand for skilled professionals who can lead organizations to success. With this 12-credit hour certificate, you’ll gain the knowledge and tools to effectively manage nonprofits, ensuring they achieve their mission and create meaningful societal impact.
Learning outcomes for this online graduate certificate specialized in nonprofit management include:
- Leadership and Management: Develop the skills to guide nonprofits toward achieving their goals while making a lasting impact in the community.
- Strategic Planning: Learn to create long-term strategies that drive organizational growth and sustainability.
- Operational Expertise: Strengthen your understanding of governance, financial management, advocacy, marketing, fundraising, and grant writing.
- Problem-Solving Skills: Identify and address internal and external challenges to ensure your nonprofit thrives.
Why choose Ohio State for the online Nonprofit Management Graduate Certificate?
Through The Ohio State University John Glenn College of Public Affairs, you will gain insights from experienced faculty ranked #9 nationally by U.S. News & World Report for nonprofit management. With their guidance, you’ll build the confidence and skills needed to excel in this growing field. Additionally, our alumni extend across Ohio, the United States and abroad, ensuring you will have a network or peers wherever your career takes you. United by our commitment to make positive and lasting impacts on the world, Glenn College alumni work in research, government, business, international relations, NGOs and nonprofits.
One of the benefits of completing this online certificate is that your journey can continue with the online Master of Public Administration (MPA) or the Master of Public Administration Leadership (MPAL). 100% of the certificate’s credits can be applied into one of these master’s degree programs.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are passionate about furthering your career and making a difference in your community through nonprofit work then you should consider applying to the nonprofit management certificate. Whether you’re looking for professional development in nonprofit management or looking to transition into the field, you’ll develop specialized expertise needed to tackle challenges and lead strategically. A completed bachelor’s degree is required for admission into this program.
Yes, this online program is fully asynchronous, meaning you can log in to view instructional materials and complete your work whenever it is best for your schedule.
One of the benefits of completing this online certificate is that your journey can continue with the online Master of Public Administration (MPA) or the Master of Public Administration Leadership (MPAL). 100% of the certificate’s credits can be applied into one of these programs.
Related Programs
Accelerate your career with one of our other public affairs programs. All certificate credits transfer into either the Master of Public Administration or the Master of Public Administration and Leadership program. Whether you’re exploring professional development opportunities or building a strong foundation for a master’s degree, our programs offer in-demand skills in a flexible format.
Related Programs
Accelerate your career with one of our other public affairs programs. All certificate credits transfer into either the Master of Public Administration or the Master of Public Administration and Leadership program. Whether you’re exploring professional development opportunities or building a strong foundation for a master’s degree, our programs offer in-demand skills in a flexible format.
Criminal Justice Administration Graduate Certificate
Federal Policy and Management Graduate Certificate
Public Management Graduate Certificate
Academic Calendar
Students can enroll in the Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management year-round. Start your program in Spring, Summer, or Autumn term with application deadlines in November, March, and June.
Academic Calendar
Students can enroll in the Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management year-round. Start your program in Spring, Summer, or Autumn term with application deadlines in November, March, and June.
Admission Criteria
To qualify for this certificate, you must meet the following requirements:
- Bachelor’s or advanced degree
- Minimum 3.0 GPA
For your application, you will be required to submit:
- College transcript(s)
- If your GPA is below a 3.0, then one letter of recommendation is required for consideration
- Statement of purpose
- Resume or CV
The Ohio State University participates in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA).
SARA is a national initiative that increases student access to distance education courses and programs while maintaining compliance with state regulations. Institutions participating in SARA can offer educational opportunities in all 49 SARA member states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico without seeking individual approval in each state.
California is not a SARA member state, however, OSU may offer online courses and programs to students located in California under the California Private Post-Secondary Act of 2009.
The Application Process
Once you understand your program’s admission criteria, please note the application deadline. You’ll need a quiet space and a variety of materials for your application. To learn more, please see our Admissions page for the full process. Ready to Apply? Find your application here.
Career Outlook
The nonprofit sector continues to grow, with increasing demand for skilled leaders who can manage organizations effectively and drive strategic initiatives. Roles in nonprofit management often include executive directors, program managers, development officers, and grant writers. As organizations seek innovative and mission-driven leaders, a strong foundation in nonprofit management can set you apart and open doors to a rewarding and impactful career.
Top Occupations by Median Income
What They Do
Plan, direct, or coordinate the activities of a social service program or community outreach organization. Oversee the program or organization’s budget and policies regarding participant involvement, program requirements, and benefits. Work may involve directing social workers, counselors, or probation officers.
Work Activities
Establish and oversee administrative procedures to meet objectives set by boards of directors or senior management. Direct activities of professional and technical staff members and volunteers. Evaluate the work of staff and volunteers to ensure that programs are of appropriate quality and that resources are used effectively.
Wage Range
- Entry Level: $50,020
- Mid Level: $78,240
- Senior Level: $129,820
Related Careers
- Child, Family, and School Social Workers
- Community Health Workers
- Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare
- Healthcare Social Workers
- Rehabilitation Counselors
Job Sectors
- Customer and Personal Service
- Administration and Management
- English Language
- Psychology
- Education and Training
What They Do
Plan, direct, or coordinate activities to solicit and maintain funds for special projects or nonprofit organizations.
Work Activities
Assign, supervise, and review the activities of fundraising staff. Compile or develop materials to submit to granting or other funding organizations. Conduct research to identify the goals, net worth, charitable donation history, or other data related to potential donors, potential investors, or general donor markets.
Wage Range
- Entry Level: $73,700
- Mid Level: $123,480
- Senior Level: $216,660
Related Careers
- Advertising and Promotions Managers
- Fundraisers
- Public Relations Managers
- Public Relations Specialists
- Social and Community Service Managers
National occupational information in Ohio State Online’s Career Outlook tool is sourced from O*NET Online and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The median annual wage displayed to the right of each occupational title above is based on the BLS Employment Projections program. Outlook and percent change indicate projected growth or decline over the next 10 years.
Curriculum
The Nonprofit Management Graduate Certificate is a 12-credit program featuring two foundational courses and five elective credits tailored to your interests. The curriculum covers core topics like nonprofit management, governance, and financial management, while electives allow you to explore areas such as fundraising, social media marketing, managerial leadership, grant writing, negotiation, and more.
This advanced survey course provides students with theoretical knowledge and practical tools needed to manage nonprofit organizations. After an overview of the nonprofit sector, we will explore various aspects of nonprofit management such as organizational creation, strategic planning, performance evaluation, board governance, executive leadership, human resources, finance, marketing, advocacy, and collaboration. This course uses multiple learning methods such as case studies, presentations, and discussions to better understand options for addressing managerial challenges experienced by nonprofits.
Designed for students interested in careers or volunteer roles in nonprofit management and current professionals in this area, this course covers financial statements, budgeting, and audits, and explores the stakeholders invested in nonprofits’ financial health. Throughout the course, we will be reviewing case studies, conducting our own financial analyses of nonprofit organizations, and preparing materials to share with internal and external stakeholders of nonprofits to inform them of the financial health of an organization.
Elective Courses
In this course you will learn how social change has occurred in society, particularly the United States. The course covers a range of advocacy approaches including insider and outsider strategies engaged by nonprofit organizations as well as individuals. The class has a dual focus on scholarly and practical understandings of effective advocacy. You will complete assignments to learn about the social issue of you choice and prepare to become an efficacious advocate on that issue.
This course will present frameworks and strategies to support you in developing and sharpening the skills necessary to engage in safe, authentic, and effective conversations across differences including interrupting bias that manifests as microaggressions (based on minoritized group status – religion, sexual orientation, religion, gender, age, disability, race/ethnicity, etc.). Using a self-reflective and case-based approaches, you will practice the application of skills you learn with the goal of being more courageous, confident, and effective when engaging in courageous conversations across difference in public/and or nonprofit management, public policy, and other sectors.
This course is designed to introduce you to development and fundraising strategies, processes, and systems. The skills and knowledge in this course have broad applicability to those interested in working in or with nonprofit organizations, public organizations, universities, nonprofit foundations, and/or corporate foundations. The course will utilize a combination of applied theories and methods, guest speakers and readings to deliver the core content. In addition, during the course you will have the opportunity to apply what you have learned by working with a nonprofit to create a comprehensive development plan.
This course examines the marketing principles of mission-driven organizations, specifically nonprofits and government agencies. Marketing is one tool available to managers to improve organizational performance and encourage effective communication to stakeholders. This course will address the challenges public and nonprofit marketers face—from deficient resources for adequately addressing needs to a general lack of understanding of the power of marketing.
This course is designed to expose you to, and provide you with the opportunity to apply management practices and analytical frameworks grounded in behavioral and social science research and tested by organizational leaders. These practices and frameworks will help you to develop as a supervisor and leader so that you can effectively manage and lead high-performing, successful public service organizations.
This course explores the major concepts and theories of negotiation to improve negotiation skills. Through readings, role play exercises and class discussion, students develop an understanding of individual negotiation styles, core approaches to negotiation and dispute resolution, how to negotiate with multiple parties and to increase confidence in individual negotiation skills.
Grant Writing in the Public Sector provides in introduction to the public sector process of grant writing, including techniques and structure. This course is intended to help students understand the complexities involved in grantsmanship, from the beginning process of grant-seeking, through the end process of grants management post-award. Students will explore the wide array of funding opportunities through federal, state, and local grantors, while seeking to understand how these funders impact the work of organizations in the public sector.
This course provides public and nonprofit scholars and leaders with an orientation to the essential and distinctive characteristics of the nonprofit sector. It is a multidisciplinary exploration into nonprofit organizations, philanthropy, and volunteerism in society. Nonprofit studies is an emerging field within the academic community, and this course is intended to introduce students to the research literature in the field.
The purpose of this course is to provide you with an opportunity to integrate and synthesize ideas and tools from previous coursework in a capacity building project for a local nonprofit organization. This creates a mutually beneficial relationship between you and your nonprofit clients. While pursuing your client-based project, you will collect and absorb a variety of information, combine it with their existing knowledge and experiences, and provide an insightful and professional recommendation that solves a nonprofit management problem. You will work in a team to: frame the nonprofit’s problem, collect information to formulate a solution, and work closely with the client to develop the necessary deliverable. The client focus allows you to demonstrate project management, team-building, and relationship management skills.
Understanding Online Course Types
As you research the right online program for you, you likely will come across the terms “asynchronous” and “synchronous.” Learn what these terms mean and how they’re important to consider when understanding how a program will fit into your life.
Learn More
Faculty
Learn from experienced faculty at The Ohio State University John Glenn College of Public Affairs, ranked #9 nationally for nonprofit management expertise by U.S. News & World Report, you will gain the expertise to drive organizational success.
Erynn Beaton
Dr. Erynn Beaton examines how nonprofits address, reflect, or perpetuate structural inequalities, using qualitative methods like ethnography to explore these dynamics. Her research applies critical, institutional, and social movement perspectives to analyze the nonprofit sector’s role in social and economic disparities. As an educator, she empowers students to drive meaningful change, teaching the master’s Nonprofit Capstone course, where students collaborate with local nonprofits to enhance organizational capacity.
Megan LePere-Schloop
Associate Professor
Brian Mittendorf
Professor, H.P. Wolfe Chair in Accounting
Greg Wilson
Assistant Professor—Provost’s Fellow
Long Tran
Assistant Professor
Testimonials
See what students and alumni have to say about learning online at The Ohio State University.
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“I’m particularly proud of the work I did with USA Cares, a nonprofit supporting veterans in transition. Through Professor Bartman’s class, I had the chance to serve as a consultant, which gave me a unique, hands-on way to apply everything I’d learned about leadership and service. The chance to contribute meaningfully to an organization that supports those who have served our country was a humbling and rewarding experience.”
Pat Retired Colonel, United States Army, MPAL graduate -
“I chose this program because I am passionate about serving others. I knew it was right for me because of its specific focus in service. I am proud of all of the leadership components I have applied to my current role. I have learned to understand others and lead by example to create an ethical environment.”
Niyokwizera E. Online MPA student, Customer Relationship Advocate -
“I have really liked the specialization track courses: Project Management and Performance Management. Parts of the foundational courses were well done as well. The classmates have been amazing and it has been a real highlight of the program.”
Roy E. Emergency Management and Fire Prevention Coordinator, MPAL student -
“My mission is to become a federal law enforcement officer and this program sets me apart in that field because it will give me the leadership skills I need to be successful in that field.”
Ariel R. Law Enforcement Officer, MPAL student
“Ohio State is a large institution with a lot of possibilities and opportunities. You will meet people who you can connect with and who will connect you with others.”
“Being able to apply everything I was working on for school immediately to my work was my favorite part of the program.”
“I could not have faced so many obstacles without the support, strength and guidance from the faculty and staff. Even when times were tough, they believed in me, so I believed in me.”
Tuition Fee Overview
Investing in your future with a higher education degree is one of the best investments you can make for your future success. At Ohio State, we know understanding your program’s cost is an important part of your decision-making process. Below are the tuition fees you can expect with your program. Estimates are based on the expenses typical of an Ohio State Online student who would take 6 credit hours each semester as a part-time student. Actual costs may vary.
| Tuition Fees | Part-Time – Per Credit Hour (unless otherwise noted) |
|---|---|
| Instructional Fee | $829.75 |
| General Fee | $32.63 |
| Distance Learning Fee | $100.00 (per semester) |
| Non-Resident Surcharge (if applicable) | $200.00 (per semester) |
Tuition fees are subject to change. The table above serves as a guide and not an official bursar’s bill. Full-Time costs are total tuition costs per semester.
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