The University of Missouri - St. Louis offers a Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management and Leadership for individuals at various stages of involvement in the nonprofit sector. The NPML program is particularly well-suited for those either considering a career in the nonprofit sector or who are currently employed as nonprofit staff but looking to advance in the field. Volunteers, board members, and other leaders of nonprofit organizations also have much to gain from the NPML Certificate courses.
Whether an individual’s field of interest is arts and culture, human services, education, the environment, or political advocacy, the NPML Certificate program offers a challenging and comprehensive course of study.
The NPML Certificate requires the completion of 18 credit hours.
Required Core Courses (9 credit hours)
(Cross-listed under PPA and Soc Wk)
Internship (3 credit hours)
Students earn valuable practical experience in their choice of a nonprofit setting. In cases where the student has equivalent professional experience, the internship may be waived. An additional elective course then substitutes for the internship.
Electives (6 credit hours)
Students choose according to their interests from a wide array of courses in business, communication, psychology, public policy, social work, and sociology to complete the Certificate.
For more information call (314) 516-6378 or go to NPMLat UMSL.
Course Schedule
| Course Number | Course Name | Credits | Day/Time | Duration | Fall | Spring |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6300 | Leadership & Management in Nonprofit Organizations | 3 | Weds 6:55–9:35 pm | 16 weeks | X | |
| 6310 | American Philanthropy & Nonprofit Resources Development | 3 | Tues 6:55–9:35 pm | 16 weeks | X | |
| 6311 | Management Issues in Nonprofit Organizations: Staff Management Issues | 1 | Fri & Sat 9am–5pm OR Thurs 6:55–9:35 pm | 2 days OR 5 weeks | X | |
| 6312 | Management Issues in Nonprofit Organizations: Legal Issues | 1 | Fri & Sat 9am–5pm OR Thurs 6:55–9:35 pm | 2 days OR 5 weeks | X | |
| 6313 | Management Issues in Nonprofit Organizations: Financial Issues | 1 | Fri & Sat 9am–5pm OR Thurs 6:55–9:35 pm | 2 days OR 5 weeks | X |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I consider the NPML Certificate?
In the past two decades, the nonprofit sector has become increasingly complex with more government oversight and greater public demand for services. The UM-St. Louis Nonprofit Management and Leadership program has kept pace with these changes, and organizations throughout the region recognize that NPML graduates receive rigorous and well-rounded preparation to work in the sector. In fact, the UM-St. Louis program is the only one in the region that has full membership in the Nonprofit Academic Centers Council, which has developed industry-recognized guidelines for education in the field.
How many have earned the certificate and how has it helped their careers?
Since 1998, more than 300 individuals have completed the certificate, including many highly regarded nonprofit leaders in the region.
Who are the instructors?
The faculty for the NPML program includes both academic experts and working professionals. Students consistently rate their NPML instructors as “excellent.”
What are the courses like?
The Certificate courses combine theoretical knowledge with practical skills that will help students address the challenges facing nonprofits today and into the future.
Must I have a degree to take the NPML Certificate courses?
The Certificate courses comprise a “stand alone” program: you do not have to pursue a degree to earn the Certificate. However, you must hold a bachelor’s degree to earn the graduate certificate.
Can I take the courses for credit?
All of the Certificate courses can provide credit toward the completion of a degree. Many UM-St. Louis students complete the Certificate as part of their course of study toward graduate degrees in fields such as Social Work, Public Policy Administration, Political Science and Sociology.
Must I take a minimum number of courses each semester?
There is no minimum number of NPML courses that must be taken at one time, so students can set their own pace for completion of the Certificate. It is possible to take just one course each semester.
Ok, you’ve convinced me. Apply Now!
Graduate school applications must be submitted online.
For more information call (314) 516-6378
