Every employee and volunteer in a nonprofit organization plays a role in meeting the philanthropic goals and charitable purposes of the organization.

The Certificate in Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership is designed to meet the needs of these employees and volunteers looking for advanced study in the theory and practice of nonprofit administration.

Ideal for nonprofit professionals, community volunteer leaders and active philanthropists, the Certificate is offered by the Division of Public and Nonprofit Administration. The Certificate requires 18 hours of graduate coursework, all available in both on-campus and online formats. 

What is the Graduate Certificate in Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership?

The Certificate in Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership offers nonprofit professionals, community volunteer leaders and other interested individuals an opportunity to increase their knowledge of nonprofit leadership and philanthropy theory and practice. The Certificate is issued by the University of Memphis through the Graduate School and administered by the Division of Public and Nonprofit Administration.  It is designed to meet the needs of mid-career professionals looking for advanced study in these areas.

What classes are included in the curriculum for the Certificate?

The Certificate requires 15 hours of graduate coursework for completion, four core courses and one elective.  The core courses are:

• PADM 7641         Theory & Practice of Nonprofits     
• PADM 7605         Human Resources Administration
• PADM 7642         Resource Development for Nonprofits
• PADM 7643         Nonprofit Leadership and Philanthropy

Students may choose either of the following courses as an elective:

• PADM 6221         Issues in Urban Administration
• PADM 7612         Program and Policy Evaluation
• PADM 7603         Collective Bargaining

Courses may be taken either on campus or online.  All courses are available in both formats.

How long does it take to complete the Certificate?

Coursework for the Certificate may be completed in a 12 month timeframe. Students must take two courses (6 hours) in both the fall and spring semesters and one course (3 hours) in the summer.

How does the Certificate work for my schedule?

Scheduling for the Certificate in Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership is designed for the working adult.  These courses are offered either on campus one night a week or online in a asynchronous format.

How much does the Certificate cost?

Tuition and fees for the Certificate are the same as regular graduate tuition for the University of Memphis.  There is no additional fee for enrolling in the program.  The fee schedule is available on the UM web site. 

Can I earn the Certificate while I am enrolled in another degree program at University of Memphis? 

Yes. This Certificate may compliment a course of study in a different field. As such, applicants may be enrolled in another graduate degree program. In this circumstance, some coursework from the student’s graduate degree program may be counted toward the Certificate. Applicants should discuss their situation with the Certificate Advisor.

How do I apply for admission to the Certificate program?

Applicants seeking the Certificate must first be admitted to the University of Memphis Graduate School through the regular application process. For most students seeking the graduate certificate only, admission will be as a graduate, non-degree seeking student.

Applicants must also meet the requirements for admission to the Certificate program. Students must submit a copy of their current resume, a personal statement of approximately 500 words describing present interests and career goals including why the Certificate is important to these goals, and two letters of recommendation, with at least one being from a nonprofit leader. This application packet will be reviewed by the Certificate Admissions Committee and applicants will be approved for admission based on the following criteria:

• Undergraduate GPA
• Graduate coursework, where applicable
• GRE or GMAT scores (Applicants may be eligible for a professional service waiver for the standardized exam requirement. See the MPA web site for more information.)
• Personal statement of interest
• Professional experience
• Letters of recommendation

Where do I submit program admission information?

Jordan Moore, GA
University of Memphis
119 McCord Hall
Memphis, TN 38152
(901) 678-4395
 jemoore3@memphis.edu

Who will be my advisor for the Certificate program?

Leigh Hersey, PhD
University of Memphis
130 McCord Hall
Memphis, TN 38152
(901) 678-1754
lnhersey@memphis.edu