Nonprofit Management Extension Certificate

Online
E-mail: cebusiness@mtroyal.ca
Information: 403.440.6013 or toll-free 1.888.392.3655
Register: Start here
Location: Online Learning

Required Courses | Optional Courses | Student Testimonials

Gain a thorough understanding of the nonprofit sector and board governance in Canada, and discover strategies for building successful partnerships and alliances. Learn from experienced nonprofit professionals and acquire relevant skills that can be applied immediately in the workplace.

There are approximately 150,000 charities and nonprofit organizations in Canada employing nearly a million people. These nonprofit organizations have a significant impact on our communities and our economy, and those employed in the sector have a strong need for skills to meet its unique challenges.

Earn Credit Toward a Degree/Diploma
Certain Extension Certificates have been developed in cooperation with Mount Royal University credit faculties. These certificates have components which are transferable into various diplomas, applied degrees and degrees, provided applicants achieve the minimum required grade in the course(s) and meet the entrance requirements for the degree. Please see credit program websites for diploma, applied degree or degree entrance requirements. For more information on transfer credit please contact Business Education and Training at cebusiness@mtroyal.ca or 403.440.6013.

Requirements
We strongly recommend completion of Introduction to Nonprofit Management prior to registering in any other courses in the program.

Earning Your Nonprofit Management Extension Certificate
Complete the eight required courses (120 hours) and two of three optional courses (30 hours) listed in the schedule above. The Nonprofit Management program may be completed within one year or extended over three years. You may also register in individual courses provided you meet prerequisites.

Career Outlook
Successful completion of the Nonprofit Management Extension Certificate will be of benefit if you are currently in an entry- to mid-level position in a nonprofit or if you are seeking a career in the nonprofit sector.

Nonprofit Sector Facts
- The nonprofit sector is growing. According to Statistics Canada's Satellite Account of Nonprofit Institutions and Volunteering, economic activity in the core nonprofit sector grew faster than the economy as a whole from 1997-2005.
- Canada's nonprofit sector is the 2nd largest in the world. Across Canada, nearly 1.2 million people do paid work in the nonprofit sector - over 7% of the overall Canadian workforce.
- The nonprofit workforce is well-educated. 7 out of 10 nonprofit sector employees have completed post-secondary education.

Required Courses 

Introduction to Nonprofit Management
Nonprofit organizations make a significant contribution to our communities and to our economy. Explore the history, magnitude, issues, trends and challenges that affect the sector, with emphasis on leadership and management skills. 

Keys to Managing Nonprofit Organizations I: Strategic Management
Examine the fundamentals of strategic management and explore various approaches to strategic planning. Analyze the impact of your organization’s mission and vision when developing and meeting long-term objectives. Gain an understanding of the role of organizational leadership, culture, complexity and mobilizing resources for change.

Program Planning and Evaluation for the Nonprofit Sector
Explore program planning and assessment principles currently used in the nonprofit sector. Gain the knowledge and skills necessary to create new programs and initiatives in a nonprofit organization by creating a plan for a new program from the research stage through evaluation.
Required course materials: Field Guide to Nonprofit Program Design, Marketing and Evaluation, approx. $45+GST at the BookStore.

Introduction to Voluntarism in the Nonprofit Sector
Volunteers donate over one billion hours to charities each year, a value of over $14 billion to Canada’s economy. It is imperative for nonprofit organizations to manage this valuable resource effectively. Find out how to plan an effective volunteer program, motivate volunteers, provide meaningful volunteer job development, and recruit, select and train volunteers.

Board Governance in the Nonprofit Sector
To govern well, boards must understand their work and develop effective, well-thought-out processes that keep the board focused on its work while respecting the roles and responsibilities of the organization’s staff. Examine these issues and investigate various board models and structures, roles of external stakeholders and board fiduciary responsibilities.

Fund Development and Corporate Philanthropy
Look at fundraising from both a nonprofit and a private sector perspective. From the nonprofit perspective, discuss how to raise funds. On the corporate side, discuss how to create programs that provide funding.

Ethical Issues in the Nonprofit Sector
Ethics-based decision making is critical to the long-term success of a nonprofit organization. Explore various ways to approach ethical issues and different ethical decision-making tactics that can be applied to a nonprofit organization, helping to ensure its success.

Law for the Nonprofit Sector
It is vital that nonprofit managers understand the legal responsibilities of the organization. Examine a broad range of legal issues, including the laws of trust, contract law, tax law, and human resource laws. Explore a risk management process that has direct application to nonprofit organizations.

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Optional Courses

(Choose 2 of 3)

Marketing and Public Relations in the Nonprofit Sector
Gain insight into marketing and public relations as they relate to the goals and objectives of nonprofit organizations. This course provides opportunities for networking and small group discussion, and you are expected to develop a marketing and public relations plan for a nonprofit organization.

Keys to Managing Nonprofit Organizations II: Roles and Relationships
Examine the management functions in nonprofit organizations and identify different strategies for managing them. Learn to recognize the importance of major stakeholders and how to maintain relationships with them and discover the role of transaction and exchange when managing stakeholders.
Recommended: Keys to Managing Nonprofit Organizations I

Keys to Managing Nonprofit Organizations III: Emerging Trends
Examine emerging issues and trends in strategic management that are applicable to the nonprofit sector. Learn how to apply these trends to your organization. Analyze the connections between mission, relationships, functions and tactics as they apply to strategic management.
Note: We strongly recommend completion of Keys to Managing Nonprofit Organizations I and II before registering for this course.

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Student Testimonials 

“About six months and five courses later, I was able to make the jump (a leap by all accounts) into my current role. I’m proud to say that because of the support and training I received in the MRU Nonprofit Management Certificate program, I am now serving in a leadership role in the nonprofit sector - and I’m loving every minute of it!”

James Michi , Executive Director, Hillhurst Sunnyside Community Association

“The instructor...brought his professional insights to us each week, giving us information that is not found in a textbook.”

Nonprofit Management student

"Personal examples, guest speakers and sharing of what is going on in the industry."

Nonprofit Management Student

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