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Certificate in Nonprofit Human Service Management

Sign up for a free information session about our Certificate Program:

This year-long, graduate-level certificate program is designed for mid-career professionals in nonprofit organizations by recognizing the complex and challenging set of skills that are necessary to carry out the work effectively.  The program is conducted through a partnership with Suffolk Unive. The program includes five blocks of classes in key areas of nonprofit management. There is also an optional sixth block for those who would like more in depth study of administration and finance.

Who attends this program?


This program is for nonprofit agency staff working in program management, human resources, administration and finance capacities. Current participants include program managers, residence directors, project managers, office managers, executive directors, and staff accountants. This program is flexible, affordable, graduate-level education. Registration is open to employees of Providers’ Council members and non-member nonprofit organizations, and experienced professionals who would like to enter the nonprofit sector.

What does this program offer?

  • Academic training for those who may not have already received formal education specific to management, evaluation, administration and finance responsibilities in a nonprofit organization.
  • Preparation for career growth opportunities
  • A professional network among the participants
  • Potential graduate credit waivers to Masters programs

What benefits does this program offer to employers?

  • Educational curriculum that addresses your organization's needs
  • Great employee benefit for committed staff
  • May help retain critical staff
  • Can increase the capacity of the organization
  • Can develop new leadership candidates


What are the classes in this program?

The program will provide education in the following areas for the Certificate in Nonprofit Human Service Management:

  • Human Service Management (overview)
  • Human Resources
  • Financial Management
  • Nonprofit Legal and Ethical Issues
  • Entrepreneurial Nonprofits/Social Entrepreurship
  • Program Evaluation

And, for those in the Advanced Studies in Administration & Finance portion of the program:

    Economic, Administrative and Financial Strategies of Public Service

Reasons to consider applying for the Certificate Program:

  • The program is a great value -- for about the cost of one graduate class you get five graduate classes, valued up to $12,000
  • Receive training and education that will make you eligible for career advancement
  • Develop a professional network to support your career advancement

Applying

The application for the 2012/2013 academic year is available to download below. Applications are accepted on a rolling until August 3, 2012. Space is limited, so apply as soon as you can.

See below to learn more about the program

Links to more information

  • Application for the Certificate in Nonprofit Human Service Management Program. You will be able to select either the basic five blocks of the program, or both the five blocks and the advanced studies program. This application is for employees who will be sponsored by their employer to participate in the program. If you are not going to be sponsored by your employer, please contact Sara Morrison Neil to discuss and for a different application.

Clips from the 2011 graduation speeches

Keynote by John Drew, CEO of ABCD

Carl Baker, Class Speaker

Poem by Class Speaker Lisa Correnti

Professor Elizabeth Kilcoyne on the Finance Class

Poem by class speaker Lisa Correnti.

Fees
Application Fee: $50 per organization (only one fee per organization, regardless of the number of applicants per agency)

Tuition fees: For the Certificate in Nonprofit Human Service Management:
$2,000 for members
$3,200 for non-members

For the Certificate in Human Service Management with Advanced Studies in Administration & Finance:
$2,600 for members
$3,800 for non-members

Graduate Credit
In additional to developing critical skills sets, those who complete the program may also be eligible to apply credits towards a masters degree program.

Participants in the Certificate in Nonprofit Human Service Management Program with Suffolk University can earn up to 12 credits, and those who continue to the Advanced Studies program can earn up to 15 credits. Other universities have accepted graduate credits from this program as well as Suffolk. Each university and masters program will decide how many credits can be transferred from the certificate program. Some popular masters degrees at  Suffolk University are:

  • Master of Public Administration [The certificate program completes four of the 14 required courses for this degree]
  • Master of Health Administration
  • MBA in Nonprofit Management
  • MPA/MS Mental Health
  • MPA/MS Criminal Justice

At Clark University, participants can earn credit for the hours of study they have completed and get a waiver for the classes completed that would also be required for a masters program. The credit is non-transferrrable outside of Clark University. Applicable masters programs include:

  • Master of Public Administration
  • Master of Professional Communication

Spotlight on Chris Snell, Participant in the Clark Certificate in Community Human Services Management program

Chris Snell is a clinical coordinator at the Seven Hills Foundation.  He provides clinical support to 10 residences.  He helps to write behavioral plans, guidelines and supports the clinical needs of individuals in these residences.  Chris graduated from the Clark Certificate program in 2009.   

What first drew you to the Certificate program at Clark?
I had a colleague that graduated from the program last year who recommended it to me.  Because I have been on the clinical side of the human services field, I felt this was a good opportunity to learn more about the administrative aspects of the work. 

So far, how have you enjoyed your experience in this program?
I have thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated this program.  Probably the biggest surprise for me was the interactions with people from other agencies.  It was interesting to learn about similar agencies in the area, the variety of services they provide, the way they are structured and how they work.  I have also really appreciated the set up and small size of the classes. 

What has been your favorite class of the program?
My favorite class was probably the Research Methods class.  I was able to do a study on one of the individuals I support measuring the effect of medication on self-injurious behaviors of this client.  It was very educational for us in how we work with this individual.

How has the program helped you in your current position?
The program has really been helpful by providing me with more information and education about the administrative aspects of my work and running an agency.  I have absolutely used  what I have learned in my job, specifically around issues of supervision, human resources and financial management.  For example, I am more effective when asking for increased funding because I have a better understanding of how to collect and present the data to support my requests. 
Why do you think other organizations should support staff who are interested in doing programs such as this?
This program really helps to broaden the spectrum of abilities of employees by encouraging people to learn from others in different settings.  For me, it helped to solidify my loyalty to Seven Hills because they were willing to support their staff in pursuing their education.   

What advice would you give to those considering the program who have not yet decided if it is right for them? 
I would absolutely recommend this program and have already encouraged several colleagues to apply.  To be successful, it is critical to have strong time management skills since the workload is hefty. 

Are you considering going on to graduate school after this program?
Yes, I am leaning towards studying for my MPA at Clark.

About Our Partnerships

Suffolk University's Center for Public Management began health and human service certificate programs in 2000 in partnership with several health and human service providers, then with the Providers' Council in 2002. So far, through all their community partnerships, they have educated over 1,200 future leaders. The Providers' Council embraces the goal of training future leaders as part of our mission in serving human service providers in Massachusetts and is proud to have graduated over 350 future leaders.

For more information about Suffolk University masters programs, visit their website.

Clark University's College of Professional and Continuing Education began a partnership with the Providers' Council in 2005, expanding the Certificate Program to a second location: Worcester. Clark University has long been distinguished  for its pursuit of scientific inquiry and humanistic studies, enlivened by a concern for significant social issues. Clark University now also offers expertise in the fields of cross-cultural studies and cutting edge technology applications.

For more information about Clark University College of Professional and Continuing Education programs visit www.copace.clarku.edu

QUESTIONS? Contact Sara Morrison Neil at the Providers' Council for any additional information you may need.