Public Administration

Today’s nonprofit-sector professionals must possess a range of managerial and organizational skills that will enable them to function successfully in diverse environments as well as across multiple disciplines.

The CSUN Nonprofit Sector Management Certificate program, which is embedded in the Master of Public Administration degree, provides participants with in-depth exposure to administrative and managerial issues commonly encountered in nonprofit organizations of all kinds and sizes, with an emphasis on the urban nonprofit sector.

For individuals who are currently employed in nonprofit organizations, the Nonprofit Sector Management program affords an opportunity to expand or update competencies, while those seeking careers in the nonprofit sector will develop essential skills in the areas of budgeting and financial management, governance and advocacy, leadership and team building, organizational resource development, stakeholder relations and strategic planning.

Offered in collaboration with CSUN’s College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, this 18-unit program is taught by distinguished faculty with years of professional experience as nonprofit sector practitioners and consultants. Designed for working professionals, the program features convenient class schedules, maximizes interaction with faculty and facilitates the development of valuable networking relationships.

The Nonprofit Sector Management program is currently taught both on-campus and at the centrally located Japanese-American Cultural and Community Center in downtown Los Angeles. At the downtown location, the program is offered in the cohort format, which not only maximizes interaction with faculty and facilitates the development of valuable networking relationships with fellow participants, but also permits the completion of the certificate in only one year.

A. Admission Requirements

To be admitted to the program, applicants must possess:

1. A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 or above in the last 60 semester units or 90 quarter units.
2. At least one year of work experience in the public or nonprofit sector.

B. Course List (6 courses, 18 units)

MPA 632D Overview of Nonprofit Organizational Management (3)
MPA 632E Strategic Planning, Needs Assessment and Program Design (3)
MPA 632F Issues and Problems in Human Resources, Board and Volunteer Management in Nonprofits (3)
MPA 632G Nonprofit Finance and Financial Management (3)
MPA 632H Funding and Resource Development for Nonprofit Organizations (3)
MPA 632I Program Implementation and Management for Nonprofit Services (3)

Total Units for the Certificate: 18