Nonprofit leadership training that drives results

The Nonprofit Management certificate (NPMGT) gives you the tools and framework needed to meet the increasing challenges facing the nonprofit sector today. The transcriptable certificate has been earned by UW graduate students from across the University’s colleges and schools and provides the opportunity to develop management and leadership skills to be successful in nonprofit, philanthropic, and social sector organizations.  

Requirements

The program provides students with fundamental knowledge of the nonprofit sector through one core course and four elective courses:

  • PUBPOL 550 Managing Nonprofit and Philanthropic Organizations (AUT, 4 credits) addresses management and policy challenges in nonprofit and philanthropic organizations, emphasizing the environment within which nonprofit work is performed, distinctive characteristics of nonprofits, legal requirements, cultural values, and leadership.
  • Four elective courses (totaling 12-16 credits) in management, leadership, or policy analysis that broaden the basic knowledge base for nonprofit management. At least two electives must be taken within the Evans School.
  • A portfolio and paper developed by each student and due at program completion reflects upon the key learning experiences of the certificate.  

Completion of the Nonprofit Management certificate will be acknowledged on the student’s official UW transcript.

Students are encouraged to review the UW Graduate School policies on certificate programs.

Eligibility and Admissions

Current UW graduate students who have completed at least one quarter with a minimum 3.0 GPA are eligible to apply. For most master’s degree students, the certificate coursework is taken across one academic year alongside coursework in their degree granting department; coursework may also be completed over multiple years.

To apply for the certificate, please email the following materials as a single PDF to evansuw@uw.edu. Put NPMGT Application_Last Name in the subject of your email. 

  1. A short letter of application introducing yourself, your academic program at UW, your background, areas of interest, professional and academic experience, future professional goals, and interest in the certificate. 
  2. A current resume listing both educational and professional experience.
  3. University of Washington transcript (unofficial is fine; minimum GPA 3.0).

Questions? Contact evansuw@uw.edu.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. While the nonprofit management certificate was designed for UW graduate students outside of the Evans School, Master of Public Administration (MPA) students are welcome to join. Completion of both the MPA and the certificate will require additional credits as only 6 can overlap between the degree and certificate. MPA students also have additional ways to tailor their degree. Students should confer with the Office of Student Affairs at evansuw@uw.edu.  

Yes. The nonprofit management certificate is a state-supported program. Graduate students in fee-based degree programs are welcome to join the certificate but should take note that most fee-based programs will use a different process to apply, register and pay for their courses than students in state-supported programs. The Continuum College policies about student status in “dual-major” would be helpful to review. 

Currently, admission to the certificate operates on a rolling admission basis. Once your application is received, it is reviewed by our committee and the decision is sent within two to three weeks.  

While we have a preference for you to take PUBPOL courses to fulfill your elective requirements, we understand this is not always practical. If you identify graduate level courses from other departments or schools that have appropriate learning in areas of methods of international development, then please bring an exception request to our attention. In your email message justify how the graduate-level course meets the spirit of the certificate and your professional goals. 

Typical electives include: 

  • PUBPOL 555 New Models for Mission-Based Business (AUT) 
  • PUBPOL 555 New Models for Mission-Based Business (AUT) 
  • PUBPOL 531 Development Management and Governance (AUT) 
  • PUBPOL 503 Executive Leadership (AUT) 
  • PUBPOL 521 Managing Public Grants and Contracts (WIN)  
  • PUBPOL 545 Advocacy for Social Change (WIN) 
  • PUBPOL 509 Managing People in Public and Nonprofit Agencies (WIN) 
  • PUBPOL 548 Public Policy & Program Implementation (SPR) 
  • PUBPOL 552 Philanthropy and Society (SPR) 
  • PUBPOL 553 Nonprofit Financial Management (SPR)