Are you new to the nonprofit field or are you already in the growing profession of nonprofit management?
This program will not only improve your knowledge, but it will also provide you with the essential skills you need to land the perfect job in the nonprofit sector.  Best of all, you will earn a certificate from The Ohio State University upon program completion. 

As more and more fields require certification, this program makes you competitive in the marketplace by empowering you to manage nonprofits in the most effective way as you and the industry face new challenges.

Curriculum Requirements - 162 class hours, including 65 hours of approved internship

The Ohio State Office of Continuing Education and FIRSTLINK have identified courses and competencies that workers in the nonprofit field need to be successful and have integrated them into the classes needed for completion of this certificate program.

One two–five page paper and a portfolio are also required.

The curriculum is designed so that you can complete the requirements within one year or work at your own pace.  Classes will be available during the work day and evenings although not all classes are available both times (View course schedule.). 

Classes will be held at either FIRSTLINK located at 195 North Grant Ave., Columbus, Ohio, or The Ohio State University Office of Continuing Education, Mount Hall, 1050 Carmack Road, West Campus (near Lane Ave. and Kenny Road), Columbus, Ohio.

In order to complete the series of classes needed to receive this certification, you are required to first attend the Nonprofit Survey 101 course held once each quarter.  All other classes, including the internship, may be taken in any order only after completing the survey course.  The internship requirement may be completed simultaneously with any of the other classes.

In Nonprofit Survey 101, you will learn important basic elements of working in the nonprofit field, and you will be given more information about the overall program as well as a portfolio in which you will track and document your own progress throughout the program.

Internship:  65 hours (required)
FIRSTLINK must approve all internship opportunities in advance.  If needed, FIRSTLINK can help you locate an appropriate internship.  You must meet with a designated representative of FIRSTLINK either after every 20 hours of internship work or three times during the internship.

Paper:  The paper should summarize what you have learned through class work and during the required approved internship.  The paper should be double spaced and submitted by e-mail to the Ohio State Office of Continuing Education at nzinga.1@osu.edu or sieling.1@osu.edu.  While not graded, the paper should be well written as it will comprise an important component of your portfolio.

Portfolio:  You are required to maintain your own portfolio to track your work toward the certification.  Your portfolio will be used to document and show others, including employers, your progress in achieving each requirement.  After completion of the required and elective courses, internship, and paper, the portfolio will be submitted for review to Kemba Nzinga at The Ohio State University Office of Continuing Education.

Certificate:  To receive the NONPROFIT LEADERSHIP CERTIFICATE, you will present your completed portfolio with two–five page paper to Kemba Nzinga, The Ohio State University Office of Continuing Education, 225 Mount Hall, 1050 Carmack Road.  Please call (614) 292-8571 to set up an appointment for consultation or review of your portfolio.  The portfolio will be examined for verification of attendance of all classes, completion of all requirements, and the paper. 

Student Enrollment Requirements –

While it is recommended that you have graduated from a college or university, it is not a requirement to earn the certificate.  However, high school graduation or equivalency is required.  To participate in this noncredit only program, you do not need to apply for academic student status at The Ohio State University.  Since noncredit students at Ohio State do not have academic student status, you will not receive a student BuckID or any other university privileges. 

You must attend a minimum of 75 percent of each class to receive a Letter of Completion for your portfolio.

Registration