Graduate Nonprofit Management Student Information

What is the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance?

The Nonprofit Leadership Allianceoffers the only national nonprofit management leadership credential developed with, and recognized by, the nonprofit sector. Our students complete rigorous, comprehensive, academic and experiential requirements, preparing them for nonprofit sector careers. More information can be found at www.nonprofitleadershipalliance.org.
With the National Certificationin Nonprofit Management/Leadership and the corresponding CNP (Certified Nonprofit Professional) designation, you will be fully prepared to succeed in any career in the nonprofit sector!

How do I get nationally certified?

Masters in Nonprofit Management and Graduate Certification in Nonprofit Management students at the University of Central Florida can get certified by completing the following:

  • Complete the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance Track in either the Masters in Nonprofit Management Program or the Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management Program including a 300 hour internship (3 credit hour). If you do not wish to complete an internship, you can provide documentation of at least 300 hours of professional experience in the nonprofit sector. If you provide documentation of professional experience in the nonprofit sector, you would then be required to complete an elective for the 3 credit hours.
  • Demonstrate Nonprofit Competencies: identified and validated by the nonprofit sector, the competencies outline the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to lead and manage a nonprofit organization
  • Show evidence of Leadership and Service Activities: demonstrated community leadership skills in diverse situations (includes volunteer service, student association participation and leadership, etc.).
  • Create and complete a profile with the National Office at www.nonprofitleadershipalliance.org. (ADDITIONAL FEES APPLY)
  • Attend the Alliance Management/Leadership Institute® (AMI) (ADDITIONAL FEES APPLY)
  • Once the online profile is complete, student must apply for national certification through the national office at www.nonprofitleadershipalliance.org. (ADDITIONAL FEES APPLY)

How do I use my credential?

CNP is the new professional designation for all alumni certified through the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance (formerly American Humanics). Certified alumni use the professional credential CNP to denote their specialized skill-set in nonprofit management and leadership. As a holder of the Nonprofit Certification in Nonprofit Management and Leadership, you can start using this designation immediately on your business card and resume. The CNP credential goes right after your name, just like a Master's or Doctoral degree. If you have an academic credential, list it first, followed by the CNP. For example, Jane Doe, CNP or Jane Doe, MNM, CNP.

What do I tell people about my credential?

·  CNPs have received the National Certification in Nonprofit Management and Leadership by the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance (formerly American Humanics)

·  CNPs have met national standards in 10 critical nonprofit management and leadership competencies including fundraising, board development, risk management, and diversity.

·  CNPs participate in practical application of these competencies through a 300-hour (or more) internship or professional experience, directly addressing the challenges faced by nonprofits.

·  CNPs have demonstrated service and leadership skills in diverse community situations.

·  CNPs share connections made at the Management/Leadership Institute (AMI), the largest national conference bringing together college students, faculty members, nonprofit professionals, and nonprofit HR executives, for the purpose of nonprofit management and leadership development.

·  CNPs belong to a national network of over 7,000 people, providing management and leadership skills for today’s nonprofit organizations.

Competency Development Matrix

The following represents the Nonprofit Competencies and the corresponding courses in the graduate program.

Required Competencies / Related Courses
·  Governance, Leadership, & Advocacy / ·  PAD 6142 Nonprofit Organizations
·  PAD 6149 Nonprofit Administration
·  Community Outreach, Marketing and Public Relations / ·  PAD 6142 Nonprofit Organizations
·  Cultural Competency and Diversity / ·  PAD 6142 Nonprofit Organizations
·  PAD 6417 Human Resource Management
·  Legal and Ethical Decision Making / ·  PAD 6142 Nonprofit Organizations
·  PAD 6335 Strategic Planning and Management
·  There should also be an ethical component in other courses in the MNM program.
·  Financial Resource Development and Management / ·  PAD 6142 Nonprofit Organizations
·  PAD 6208 Nonprofit Financial Management
·  PAD 5146 Nonprofit Resource Development
·  PAD 5850 Grant and Contract Management
·  Foundations and Management of the Nonprofit Sector / ·  PAD 6142 Nonprofit Organizations
·  PAD 6149 Nonprofit Administration
·  PAD 6417 Human Resource Management
·  Program Development / ·  PAD 6142 Nonprofit Organizations
·  PAD 6335 Strategic Planning and Management
·  PAD 6327 Public Program Evaluation Techniques
·  Volunteer Management and Human Resource Management / ·  PAD 5145 Volunteerism in Nonprofit Management
·  PAD 6142 Nonprofit Organizations
·  PAD 6417 Human Resource Management
·  Future of the Nonprofit Sector / ·  PAD 6142 Nonprofit Organizations
·  Personal & Professional Development / ·  It is assumed that post baccalaureate and graduate students met the Personal & Professional Development Competency. Most of your learning in this area will be from your own personal and professional experience.

Graduate Registration Form

Please complete the form below and return to .

Name: / Expected Graduation Date:
Address: / City: / State:
Preferred Email: / Phone:
Have you completed at least 300 hours (either an internship or paid employment) in the nonprofit sector? / Yes* or No**
If yes, Name of Nonprofit Organization:
Your Position:
Approximate # of hours per week: / Total # of Hours:
Start Date: / End Date:

*If you answered “yes,” you must send a statement on organization letterhead from your supervisor or board member indicating your position and length of service to .

**If you answered “no,” you must contact the internship program director, Dr. Vanessa Littleton at for placement and internship registration assistance.

For Office Use Only: Attended AMI: Yes or No Completed Internship: Yes or No If work experience, submitted Documentation: Yes or No