
Our Online Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management Can Help You
Gain the skills to lead and thrive in one of the largest sectors in the U.S. economy with the Kent State University online nonprofit management graduate certificate program.
$559.90 out of state
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Take your career to a higher level with our affordable, flexible online MPA or graduate certificate in nonprofit management. Our 100% online programs allow you to keep up with your current responsibilities while you study. Find out how we can help you become the leader you want to be.
Download our guide to learn more about:
- Career Opportunities
- Customizing Your Degree
- The Student Experience
- Admission Requirements
- Tuition and Financial Aid
Our Program Is Both Rigorous and Flexible
I’m a working mom with 18+ years in my career. I needed something that was accredited and rigorous, but also flexible enough to allow me to work, parent and go to school. Kent State fit that description.
Time for a Quick Career Upgrade?
Transform your career with as little as one year of part-time courses. We can help you affordably gain the skills you need to lead your nonprofit to success and make a real difference with your service.
Is This Program Right For You?
If you are already working in the nonprofit sector, this program will help you develop your expertise and increase your influence. Our graduate certificate in nonprofit management is also a quick, affordable introduction to the field if you are just starting your career or pivoting from work in another sector. Our admissions staff is happy to provide more information.
Learn Principles That Apply to Any Nonprofit
No matter the field or the size of the organization, nonprofit organizations must operate according to the law and specific financial and advocacy practices. Successful nonprofit leaders also keep up with best practices in governance, program management and leadership. The Kent State online graduate certificate in nonprofit management offers you expert-led courses on these key topics.
Skills You Will Develop
Your coursework for the nonprofit management graduate certificate can help you develop these key leadership skills:
- Recruiting, selecting, leading and managing people in public organizations
- Developing and managing budgets for nonprofit and public organizations
- Fundraising and resource development for nonprofit organizations
- Implementing effective nonprofit governance

The condensed seven-week courses taken one at a time, instead of two simultaneous semester-long courses, makes it easier to immerse yourself in that one topic and focus on it exclusively, which I feel enhances the learning experience.
Nonprofit Industry Career Options
With the expertise you gain in our nonprofit management program, you could start a nonprofit, operate a small, local organization or pursue a satisfying career in a variety of settings. The nonprofit industry encompasses organizations including:
- Schools, foundations and churches
- Social and business engagement associations
- Human services providers
- Arts, cultural and humanities groups
- Advocacy, rights and policy organizations1
Nonprofit Numbers
The nonprofit industry is one of the largest sectors in the country, and key roles within it are projected to have much faster than average job growth through 2030.2, 3
- There are more than 1.8 million nonprofits in the United States1
- U.S. nonprofit revenues are $2.48 trillion4
- 12.3 million people draw paychecks from U.S. nonprofit organizations5
Because the industry is so large and diverse, many job roles are available for experts in nonprofit management, ranging from advocacy director to major gifts officer and CEO. Here are some representative nonprofit titles and average national salaries.
Program Overview
Develop the skills most important to your career with our flexible curriculum design. Kent State’s online graduate certificate in nonprofit management:
- Is open to people with bachelor’s degrees
- Offers asynchronous online flexibility
- Has a part-time workload with focused, seven-week courses
- Has no GRE requirement
- Has three start dates: January, May, August
See the Course List
Earning your graduate certificate in nonprofit management could be just the beginning of your professional education. You can transfer 12 credits from Kent State’s nonprofit management graduate certificate to the Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree when you decide to continue.
Accredited and Affordable
Complete your graduate certificate in nonprofit management for less than $7,000, even though our Public Administration program is one of a select few online programs accredited by the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA).
We’re proud to be recognized with the Military Friendly® gold designation, for the level of service we offer members of the extended military community and all our students. Our rankings reflect our commitment to helping you achieve your dreams.
Well-Rounded, Expert Faculty
Professors for the online graduate certificate in public management are connected, engaged practitioners and researchers with expertise in diverse areas.
Faculty interests and experience include policymaking and policy implementation, political systems and public management, city planning, professional ethics, nonprofit governance and advocacy, quantitative research methods, international business, and public sector IT management.
With their varied interests, experiences and connections, our faculty can help you chart your course to a successful nonprofit management career.
Build Your Professional Network
Our robust learning management system helps you stay closely connected with professors and cohort peers throughout your program. Build your professional network through:
- Class discussions
- Student forums
- Private messaging
- Live check-ins with professors
Courses
Choose one core management course (3 credits) from the following:
Core Courses
PADM 60375 Public Personnel Administration
PADM 60377 Public Budgeting and Financial Management
PADM 60379 Program Evaluation I
PADM 60574 Strategic Planning
Electives (9 Credits)
Choose three electives (3 credits each) from the following:
PADM 60200 Nonprofit Advocacy
PADM 60310 Leadership in the Nonprofit and Public Sector
PADM 60471 Nonprofit Law
PADM 60472 Nonprofit Board Executive Relationships
PADM 60477 Nonprofit Financial Resource Development
Tuition and Financial Aid
The online Postbaccalaureate Certificate in Nonprofit Management consists of 12 credits.
Ohio Residents | Out of State | |
Per Credit Hour | $549.90 | $559.90 |
Approximate Program Cost | $6,432 | $6,552 |
An additional distance learning fee for all students enrolled in a distance learning course is $15 per credit hour. Program tuition and costs are estimated and subject to change. For comprehensive tuition information, please refer to the tuition rates posted on the Bursar’s website.
We recognize that pursuing a graduate degree is a significant investment. Your Admissions Advisor can answer your questions on program costs, discuss how a Kent State degree compares to others and connect you with financial aid representatives when you are ready to discuss your financial options.
Please contact an Admissions Advisor for more information on tuition and fees either by email at onlinedegrees@kent.edu or toll-free at +1 844-234-4073.
What Are Kent State’s Admissions Requirements?
To be considered for admission, students must have completed a bachelor's degree with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Applicants with a GPA of 2.75 or higher will be considered for conditional admission. Contact an Admissions Advisor for more information about this process. The bachelor's degree may be in any area of study.
Further admissions requirements include:
- Completed online application
- Three letters of recommendation from professors and/or employers
- Application fee: $45
- Official transcripts
- Statement of purpose
- Writing sample
- Resume/CV
- No GRE required for admission
The application process is simple and we’re here to guide you through it.
Our Admissions Advisors are available to answer your questions regarding admissions requirements for the program. If you have questions, please email us at onlinedegrees@kent.edu or call us toll-free at +1 844-234-4073.
Important Dates
Application Resources

Our step-by-step application checklist will help ensure the success of your application submission.
Application FAQs
Each applicant is required to create an account in the online application system, which allows people to save their applications and track the progress of materials submitted via the application system.
I am a U.S. citizen. Where should I send my application materials?
gradapps@kent.edu or by mail to:
Graduate Admissions
P.O. Box 5190
Kent, Ohio 44242
Please be sure to include your full name and Kent State ID (9-digit number starting with 8) on all submitted documents. For questions, contact Graduate Admissions at +1 330-672-2661 or gradapps@kent.edu.
I am not a U.S. citizen. Where should I send my application materials?
Office of Global Education
Kent State University
106 Van Campen Hall
625 Loop Rd.
Kent, OH 44242
USA
For questions, contact International Admissions at +1 330-672-7970 or intladm@kent.edu
Technology
Courses are delivered through Canvas, our course management system. Course content consists of text, narrated PowerPoint presentations, video and audio, live chats, discussion groups, and other learning enhancements. To participate in this online program, you will need a computer and broadband internet connection. Your program may have further requirements that include the ability to record video and audio. If you have questions regarding technology requirements for the program, please contact your Admissions Advisor at onlinedegrees@kent.edu or toll-free at +1 844-234-4073.
Build Your Career With a Degree Built Around You
Explore the immersive online experience, our faculty roster and some post-graduation career options.
Immersive Online Curriculum
Practitioner Faculty
Public Administration Career Potential
Important Dates
- Retrieved August 2, 2022, from causeiq.com/insights/how-many-nonprofits-in-the-us/
- Retrieved August 2, 2022, from bls.gov/ooh/management/public-relations-managers.htm
- Retrieved August 2, 2022, from www.bls.gov/ooh/management/social-and-community-service-managers.htm
- Retrieved August 2, 2022, from statista.com/topics/1390/nonprofit-organizations-in-the-us/#dossierKeyfigures
- Retrieved August 2, 2022, from councilofnonprofits.org/economic-impact
- Retrieved August 2, 2022, from glassdoor.com/Salaries/nonprofit-program-manager-salary-SRCH_KO0,25.htm
- Retrieved August 2, 2022, from glassdoor.com/Salaries/nonprofit-executive-director-salary-SRCH_KO0,28.htm