The Curriculum in Nonprofit Studies

Healthy communities through strong community organizations

Our mission: We are committed to providing well-prepared nonprofit professionals for community organizations in the region, to contribute to the increased social and cultural quality of life for our community members. We are pleased to help fulfil the mission of the University of Washington, Tacoma, to serve its community by strengthening leadership and citizen engagement.

Nonprofit Management at the University of Washington, Tacoma

While completing an undergraduate or graduate degree at UWT, students also have the opportunity to earn a valuable Minor and Certificate in Nonprofit Management. Individuals already having a Baccalaureate Degree can pursue the Certificate in Nonprofit Management through the same curriculum as the Minor in Nonprofit Management.

The Certificate program and the Minor prepare students to take leadership roles in one of the many nonprofit organizations in the region (and across the country). Graduates work in their communities making a difference in the quality of life for their fellow community members.

Through a partnership of two UWT programs, Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences (IAS) and Business, many courses are available in nonprofit management, marketing, organizational development, leadership, fundraising and grant writing, and the history and theories involved in the study of community organizations.

The program requires an internship experience at a local nonprofit as well as a final capstone course building from the internship. These experiences draw on the knowledge the students have learned in courses and are structured to be on a management level.

Our recent graduates’ positions include:

 Director of Development, American Red Cross/ Pierce County

 Director, Lakewood Boys and Girls Club

 Director of Major Gifts/Annual Giving, Franciscan Foundation

 Campaign Executive, United Way Pierce County

Recent internships include:

 Helping an organic farm on Vashon Island, WA set up its board and nonprofit incorporation paperwork

 Traveling to Romania with NW Medical Teams and developing a camp program for children there

 Working in the development office of the Pacific Northwest Ballet—learning how a large group fundraises

 Planning and facilitating a Foster Care Forum for the Casey Foundation Family Program

Minor and Certificate in Nonprofit Management Requirements:

Required 5 credit courses are designed to be self-standing and can be taken in any order. Students should have senior status and have taken at least one of the first three courses listed below before setting up the internship. The Capstone course should be taken after the other requirements are completed.

1. TCSIUS 431Community Organizations and the Nonprofit Sector5 cr.

2. TCSIG 431 Organizational Development5 cr.

3. TCSIUS 451 Essentials of Fund Raising and Grant Writing5 cr.

4. TIAS 496A Internship 5 cr.

5. TCSIUS 457A Nonprofit Capstone Course5 cr.

Total: 25 cr.

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS:

1. TCSIUS 431 Community Organizations and the Nonprofit Sector:

A core course in the Certificate in Nonprofit Management. Among other things this course examines the historical and theoretical foundations for philanthropy, volunteerism and service learning as a tradition in American culture. This discussion is positioned in the framework of the lively current debate around the state of citizenship and community in America. The course also presents an overview of nonprofit management issues, from creating a mission statement to managing volunteers and setting up advisory boards. Agency leaders from the community are brought in to the class to share their expertise on a wide range of nonprofit management and community issues.

2. TCSIUS 431 Organizational Development:

A study of organizational culture, focusing on identifying archaic and ineffectual organizational principles, and assessing new and innovative approaches to organizational challenges and change in the context of the effects of emerging technologies. This course brings together current organizational theories for comparison. Students are encouraged to consider using a synthesis of approaches to best identify and deal with complexities and challenges in various types of organizations.

3. TCSIUS 451 Essentials of Fund Raising and Grant Writing:

This survey course examines the world of fund raising for the nonprofit and community organization. Starting with the history and the specific nature of philanthropy in America, the course engages students in a comprehensive look at the best practices, systems, and management principles underlying successful fund raising programs. Students affiliated with local nonprofit organizations will have an opportunity to develop projects related to their organization.

4. TIAS 496 Internship:

Internships are an integral part of the Certificate. Through supervised service-learning experiences in the local nonprofit sector, students gain important insights into the profession. These experiences also provide students with important professional contacts and networks that will later prove invaluable for job placement as well as for the successful implementation of their future or current professional duties. Internships also offer important learning environments where students can apply the principles studied in curriculum classes.

5. TCSIUS 457 Nonprofit Capstone Course:

This is the capstone learning experience in the Certificate. We work with students to ascertain the position they would most like to achieve as a graduate and entry-level professional. The experience is designed to permit students to produce some substantive evidence of their level of expertise and experience, such as a personnel manual, annual plan, strategic plan, revised mission statement, program manual, etc.

For more information please contact Dr. Stephen DeTray, Faculty Coordinator, Curriculum in Nonprofit Studies, UWT, at (253) 692-5654, or Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences, (253) 692-4450.