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Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management

Ideal for professionals who want to advance their skillset in nonprofit management.

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Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management

The certificate in Nonprofit Management from AU's School of Public Affairs combines academic rigor and skill set training to enhance the performance of those currently working in the nonprofit sector. It also sets a solid foundation for master's degree students about to enter the field. This interdisciplinary certificate program encompasses course offerings from the School of Public Affairs, the Kogod School of Business, and the School of Communication, with opportunities for you to select courses from the School of International Service and the College of Arts and Sciences as well.

A graduate certificate from the School of Public Affairs is a symbol of professional achievement widely recognized by nonprofit agencies and international organizations, as well as government and corporate employers. Classes are offered every spring, summer, and fall. This certificate program requires 15 hours of approved graduate-level course work.

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This certificate requires 15 credit hours of approved coursework with at least 9 credit hours at or above the 600-level. Students must take 6 credit hours of required courses, 3 additional credit hours in finance and accounting, management and leadership, and strategic communication, plus 6 elective credits chosen in consultation with their advisor. In addition to taking courses within the School of Public Affairs, you may also pursue coursework in the Kogod School of Business, the School of Communication, the School of International Service and the College of Arts and Sciences.

If you choose to continue your studies toward a degree, you may transfer up to 12 credit hours as long as you indicate your plans before the 12-credit threshold in the certificate program. You also may apply up to 3 hours earned at an accredited college or university as transfer credit toward a certificate.

Students must complete the coursework with grades of C or better in each certificate course. Grades lower than C are not accepted toward the fulfillment of requirements, although they will be included in the GPA calculation. Overall, students must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 in certificate courses in order to be awarded the certificate.

To continue your eligibility, you must take at least 6 credit hours during each 12-month period, and complete the certificate within four years. International students are required to enroll in 9 credit hours each semester, except for summer.

For more information, please contact the SPA Graduate Admissions Office at 202-885-6230 or spainfo@american.edu.

The School of Public Affairs operates on a rolling admissions basis for our graduate programs. This means that applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis until programs reach capacity for either Spring or Fall entry. While previous academic or professional work in the career field is not required, your application file should demonstrate a serious commitment to a career in this field. Please consult the following web resources to learn more about building an application file for the program:

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International Student Application and Admission

For more information, please contact the SPA Office of Graduate Admissions at 202-885-6230 or spaapp@american.edu.

The MA degree in Political Communication requires 36 credit hours of approved graduate work for students entering the program with a bachelor's degree. A minimum grade point average of 3.0 in all coursework is required to remain in good standing and to earn the degree. Full-time status is considered to be nine credit hours per semester. Students are expected to complete the degree within two years.

The program includes the Capstone in Political Communication or . This is a demonstration of your critical thinking, research, and writing skills through a substantial research paper or practicum.

For more information, please contact the SPA Graduate Admissions Office at 202-885-6230 or spainfo@american.edu.