Continuing & Professional Education Courses
The Center for Nonprofits & Philanthropy (CNP) launched the Certificate in Nonprofit Leadership (CNL), a non-credit bearing Continuing & Professional Education opportunity. This Certificate has been curated for current nonprofit professionals, on-the-ground volunteers within the sector, current or prospective board members, or those considering a transition to the sector. Current CNL courses cover topics including nonprofit leadership, strategic management, board governance, and performance management.
The Certificate is earned by completing five Continuing & Professional Education courses, which are exclusively offered online and take only three weeks at a time to complete. Participants may also take courses individually, based on their interests. Through the CNP’s partnership with Texas A&M University’s office of Continuing & Professional Education, we are pleased to provide International Accreditors for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) Continuing Education Units (CEUs). Each course earns 2 CEUs, and the Certificate earns 10 CEUs. In addition, the CNP is an Approved Provider for Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) International. Each course earns 9 hours of continuing education points, and the Certificate earns 45 points.
Course Format | Course Offerings | Course Features | Cost
Course Format:
- Each course in the Certificate program contain three modules. Modules begin on Wednesday at 9:00 a.m. CST and end the following Tuesday at 9:00 p.m. CST. All materials are available throughout the week and can be accessed after the module has ended.
- Virtual office hours take place on Monday evenings from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. CST. These sessions are optional. Office hours provide an opportunity for the cohort to gather together with the instructor and discuss key takeaways from that week as well as to connect with peers. Feedback from participants indicates high levels of satisfaction from participating in these sessions.
- View the full Spring 2021 and Fall 2021 course schedules, and review the Course Offerings section below for more information on the content in each course
Course Offerings:
Nonprofit Leadership in Turbulent Times
Fall 2021 Course Dates: August 11 – 31, 2021
Survival is at stake when nonprofit organizations and its leaders are unprepared for crises. Along with academic literature which points to preparation being a primary strategy for not falling victim to crises, this course also highlights the need for leaders to comprehend how these scenarios develop. Nonprofit Leadership in Turbulent Times introduces and challenges learners to identify crisis situations and their categories, identifies crisis tasks leaders should be responsible for, and discusses strategies for prioritizing external and internal communication leadership.
Introduction to Nonprofit Strategic Management
Fall 2021 Course Dates: September 8 – 28, 2021
This course provides a framework (the Nonprofit Strategic Management Cycle), which identifies strategic decision areas to consider as nonprofit managers create social value and sustain operations. Participants will use strategic analysis techniques and apply the framework to a case and their organization.
Nonprofit Board Governance for Executives
Fall 2021 Course Dates: October 6 – 26, 2021
Boards impact the success of nonprofit organizations, and this course is designed to prepare individuals to effectively serve on and lead nonprofit boards. In three weeks, participants will learn about the role of the board in leading nonprofit organizations; board responsibilities, structure and staff relationships; and board recruitment, engagement, and assessment. Participants will apply course materials to better understand their nonprofit boards and how to implement best practices.
Introduction to Performance Management
Fall 2021 Course Dates: November 3 – 23, 2021
Performance management helps executives and managers improve their operational processes, strengthen organizational service delivery, and enhance accountability. Performance management refers to a system that organizes information based on the regular collection and analysis of performance data. The data are used to understand results achieved and to support managerial decision making. The whole idea behind using performance management is to improve the organization’s performance and mission achievement. This course introduces the Balanced Scorecard as a tool for nonprofits to measure performance, assists nonprofits in turning strategy into measurable action, and to support better managerial decision making.
Introduction to the Situational Leadership Model
Fall 2021 Course Dates: December 1 – 21, 2021
This course introduces the highly regarded theory of leadership, known as the Situational Leadership Model, which focuses on leadership in situations. Though first developed in 1969, this approach has stood the test of time as an important tool for managers and leaders in a variety of professional settings. The assertion of the theory is that different kinds of leadership are required for different situations.
Course Features:
- High Quality, Intensive Learning. The courses are developed and delivered by faculty members from Texas A&M University and the Bush School. Topics are drawn from graduate-level coursework with a structure designed for working professionals. Instructors apply real-world concepts to advance professional development which guides participants towards current and future-oriented leadership practices at nonprofit organizations.
- Small, Discussion-Oriented Classes. The courses are developed and delivered by faculty members from Texas A&M University and the Bush School. Topics are drawn from graduate-level coursework with a structure designed for working professionals. Instructors apply real-world concepts to advance professional development which guides participants towards current and future-oriented leadership practices at nonprofit organizations.
- Next-Level Nonprofit Leadership. The CNL is geared toward professionals seeking to become more effective in their roles and for those who seek advancement opportunities within the field. The Certificate can be completed in approximately four months, with individual courses taking three weeks to complete online and encompassing approximately eight hours of instruction. Though we encourage participants to aspire toward completing the five required courses for the CNL, participants are invited to pursue any of the Continuing & Professional Education course offerings that appeal to their interests.
- Trusted Reputation. Texas A&M University prides itself on being among the best national public universities for a superior education at an affordable cost, and for being the top public university in Texas for best value. In the brief 23 years since the founding of the Bush School of Government & Public Service, the nonprofit management program regularly finds its way into the U.S. News and World Report’s best graduate nonprofit management programs.
- Connect Globally. Texas A&M University prides itself on being among the best national public universities for a superior education at an affordable cost, and for being the top public university in Texas for best value. In the brief 23 years since the founding of the Bush School of Government & Public Service, the nonprofit management program regularly finds its way into the U.S. News and World Report’s best graduate nonprofit management programs.
Cost:
- $1499 – Certificate in Nonprofit Leadership; commitment to all five courses up front
- $349 – Individual Continuing & Professional Education course
- Three or more staff and/or board members from the same organization are eligible for a 10% discount. Contact our staff for more information.
