Certification Programs

Certificate in Nonprofit Administration (Online!)

About the Program

Louisiana State University in Shreveport offers a Certificate in Nonprofit Administration for currently employed nonprofit professionals and other persons who wish to enhance basic administrative skills. This program is a direct response to rapid expansion of the human service field which began in the last decade and is only expected to accelerate. In part, this expansion is fueled by the movement toward devolution, which is the transference of social programs from the federal to state and local levels. Another important factor impacting the need for more nonprofit education opportunities is the realization that nonprofits account for ten percent of the gross national product and employ more persons than the construction trades. The sheer momentum generated by the sector is enormous.

This Certificate in Nonprofit Administration is a response by Louisiana State University in Shreveport to requests for training by persons currently working in nonprofits and those who want to enter the field. It is an introduction to the basic knowledge and skills of the nonprofit industry. Further opportunities for nonprofit education exist at LSU in Shreveport through American Humanics Certification for entry level professionals at the undergraduate level and the Master of Science in Human Services Administration at the graduate level.

The Certificate in Nonprofit Administration is a non-credit program offered 100% online. After completing all three semesters of study, students are awarded a certificate by Louisiana State University in Shreveport.  A certificate for a continuously enrolled student may be earned in one calendar year. Persons wishing to learn about a specific topic may enroll for just that topic when it is offered and pay the appropriate fee. Dates for module offerings will vary according to the calendar for the semester in which they are taught.  Students may register through the Department of Continuing Education or by clicking on the links below.

Modules

There are seven noncredit courses leading to this certificate:
Fundraising, Strategic Planning, Boards of Directors, Leadership, Grant Writing, Volunteer Management, and Financial Management.  Upon completion of all seven courses, students receive the Certificate in Nonprofit Administration.

• Fundraising
  This is an eight week module which looks at philanthropy in America and various forms of fundraising such as donor campaigns, third party fundraising organizations, event planning, corporate giving and planned giving.    The course uses Kim Klein’s book Fundraising For Social Change published by Jossey-Bass and it is available through LSUS or a bookstore of your choice including online providers.
  DATE: August 24, 2009
  The cost is $120 for the 8 week session.  (Register Online)
  
  
• Strategic Planning
  This four week module provides focused instruction on strategic planning. This session is based on the book by Michael Allison and Jude Kaye titled Strategic Planning for Nonprofit Organizations: A Practical Guide and Workbook and published by John Wiley & Sons.  The session covers topics such as the natural resistance to strategic planning and organizational change as well as practical knowledge for instituting and enhancing an organization’s strategic planning. 
  DATE: October 19, 2009
  The cost is $60 for the 4 week session. (Register Online)
  
  
• Board of Directors
  This module is a brief overview of the responsibilities of a nonprofit board of directors including officer responsibilities, and an examination of the relationships between professional staff and board members.  The text for this course is Cyril O. Houle's, book Governing Boards published by Jossey-Bass.
  DATE: November 16, 2009
  The cost is $45 for the 3 week session.  (Register Online)
  
  
• Leadership
  This module looks at the reseach and theory of organizational leadership specifically applied to nonprofit organizations.  The text used is by Bert Nanus and Stephne M. Dobbs, Leaders Who Make A Difference published by Jossey-Bass. Practical knowledge and skills are emphasized throughout this module.
  DATE: Spring 2010 TBA
  The cost is $45 for the 3 week session.   (Register Online)
  
  
• Grantwriting
  This module introduces the participants to the fundamentals of grantwriting including the location of funding sources on the Internet, the importance of developing an outline from the request for proposal, and key budgetary considerations.  The Foundation Center's Guide to Proposal Writing written and published by The Foundation Center is the recommended text.
  DATE: Spring 2010 TBA
  The cost is $45 for the 3 week session.   (Register Online)
  
  
• Volunteer Management
  This module broadly examines all aspects of volunteer management from program design to recruitment, supervision, evaluation and rewards. The  text used is by Steve McCurley and Rick Lynch, Volunteer Management: Mobilizing all the Resources of the Community,  published by Heritage Arts.
  DATE: Spring 2010 TBA
  The cost is $135 for the 9 week session.   (Register Online)
  
  
• Financial Management
  This module reviews practices and procedures of responsible money management ordinarily found in well-administered organizations. The textbook used in this module is by Thomas A. McLaughlin,  Streetsmart  Financial Basics for  Nonprofit  Managers, published  by Wiley.
  DATE: Summer 2010 TBA
  The cost is $240 for the 8 week session.   (Register Online)
  

Note:
Persons may take one or any combination of the courses that they wish.

Students must pay a one-time $5.00 technology fee each semester whether you take one or all courses.

Required textbooks are available through the LSUS bookstore or a bookstore of your choice including online providers.

For More Information Contact:

Stacey Martino, MA
Applied Research Project Manager &
American Humanics Coordinator
LSUS Institute for Human Services & Public Policy
318-795-4245
stacey.martino@lsus.edu