Postgraduate Certificate Nonprofit and Public Management

The Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit and Public Management is a 21-credit (7-course) certificate program at Portland State University designed to provide existing and aspiring middle managers in nonprofit and public organizations with the knowledge and skills necessary to be successful in carrying out their administrative responsibilities.

After completing this Nonprofit and Public Management program at Portland State University, some students opt to apply to the full MPA program or MNL program; credits taken in the GCNPM program may count toward the MPA degree or MNL degree.

Program Objectives

We aim to improve the effectiveness, efficiency, and efficacy of those who have responsibility for managing nonprofit and public organizations, by providing them with the following knowledge and skills to achieve the following learning objectives:

• Understand the distinctive role responsibilities of middle managers in the nonprofit and public sectors.
• Develop or enhance knowledge and skills to manage organizational systems, such as budgeting, personnel, management information.
• Develop or enhance knowledge and skills to manage organizational design, change, and evaluation.
• Develop or enhance knowledge and skills to manage inter-organizational and inter-jurisdictional relationships.
• Develop or enhance knowledge and skills to manage conflict.
• Develop or enhance knowledge and skills to manage cultural and organizational diversity.