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Dr. Wallace E. Boston School of Business

Nonprofit Management

Online Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management

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Program Requirements Related Programs Admission Requirements Paying for School

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$0 Application Fee
$0 Transfer Credit Evaluation

72%Have Graduated with No APUS-incurred Student Loan Debt2

About This Program

American Military University (AMU) offers a six-course nonprofit management certificate designed to help you prepare for leadership in the dynamic not-for-profit world.

AMU’s graduate certificate considers current economic and regulatory environments with topics covering:

  • Leadership
  • Finance
  • Government relations
  • Marketing, brand management, and public relations
  • Fundraising
  • Tax exemption and legal classifications
  • Human resource planning
  • Board membership development
  • Donor systems and communications
  • Accounting

This nonprofit management certificate online program teaches you how to energize supporters; measure and optimize performance; use social media; build solid partnerships; and recruit, inspire, and motivate volunteers.

What You Will Do

  1. Analyze a nonprofit organization’s structure to maximize the work of its paid and volunteer staff and board members
  2. Understand the legal and moral responsibilities of executives and leaders within nonprofit corporations
  3. Evaluate a nonprofit’s financing to ensure it is able to draw an appropriate mix of funding from the variety of streams available
  4. Design and implement a fundraising plan for a charitable nonprofit to supplement other funding
  5. Understand the meaning of tax-exempt status and how this relates to an organization’s public service obligations under the law

Program at a Glance

Number of Credits
18
Transfer up to 9 credits1
Cost Per Credit
$455 | $250*
$386.75** | $409.50***
*with Preferred Military Rate
**with Veteran Grant
***with APUS Opportunity Grant
Courses Start Monthly
Online
and vary from 8 to 16 weeks

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Program Requirements Printable Catalog Version

Must take all courses for this section.

Course ID: 5522

|
This course introduces students to the legal framework, governance practices, and ethical responsibilities that guide nonprofit organizations. Students examine the legal requirements that define the nonprofit sector, including state law, tax-exempt status, and the regulatory role of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Special emphasis is placed on the fiduciary duties of board members and executive directors, as well as governance structures and procedures used by nonprofit boards to support the organization’s mission. Key topics include nonprofit accountability, risk management, bylaws, public benefit obligations, and ethical behavior in charitable organizations. Through the exploration of legal and ethical challenges faced by nonprofits, students gain foundational knowledge to lead, support, and govern nonprofit organizations with integrity and transparency.

Course ID: 5523

|
This course provides a comparative analysis of leadership theories, principles, and styles as they apply to nonprofit management and governance. Designed for current and emerging nonprofit leaders, the course addresses the complex challenges nonprofit organizations face, including fragmented funding, diverse stakeholder interests, and mission-driven operations. Students explore executive leadership in the nonprofit sector, the dynamics between executive directors and board members, and the legal and ethical responsibilities of nonprofit professionals. Emphasis is placed on developing leadership skills, managing staff and volunteers, understanding governance structures, and navigating the social sector to enhance organizational performance, foster community impact, and advance the mission of nonprofit organizations.

Course ID: 5524

|
This course offers a comprehensive study of nonprofit financial management practices, focusing on interpreting key financial statements to monitor an organization’s financial health. Students explore nonprofit finance topics including fund accounting, financial analysis, budgeting processes, and financial controls essential for safeguarding assets and ensuring fiscal sustainability. The course prepares nonprofit leaders, executives, and board members to analyze financial reports, assess funding sources, and apply sound financial policies to support the organization's mission and strategic goals. Emphasis is placed on using financial data to guide decision-making, maintain cash flow, manage functional expenses, and promote financial accountability throughout the entire organization.

Course ID: 5525

|
This course provides a comprehensive overview of nonprofit fundraising, focusing on planning and implementing successful fundraising strategies. Students examine the dimensions of philanthropy in the United States, develop a nonprofit fundraising plan, and explore the motivations of individual donors, corporate giving, and foundations. Topics include donor stewardship, ethical fundraising practices, major donor cultivation, the roles of board members and fundraising staff, and the structure of fundraising programs. The course emphasizes strategic fundraising initiatives such as fundraising campaigns and events, donor engagement and retention, and the use of donor data and fundraising metrics to strengthen donor relationships. Students also evaluate how tax policy affects fundraising revenue and explore the competencies and skills essential for nonprofit professionals to achieve fundraising success and support the organization’s mission.

Course ID: 2728

|
This course will expand the student's understanding of the leading approaches to public administration with a focus on the local and state levels of government. It will cover topics including decision-making, budget and taxation, and electoral and legal differences between state and local governments and other states. It will cover the legislative process, and how it fits into the larger federal system. Students will see the implications to the larger federal issues they have studied and their application to state and local bureaucracies.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
07/28/25 - 01/02/26 01/05/26 - 03/01/26 Winter 2026 Session B 8 Week session
10/27/25 - 04/03/26 04/06/26 - 05/31/26 Spring 2026 Session B 8 Week session

Choose 3 credit hours from this section.

Course ID: 2757

|
This course investigates today’s global environment of electronic commerce and that influence on today’s business enterprises. The learning’s in Strategic E-Commerce Marketing spotlight E-Commerce opportunities, issues, options and techniques necessary to create an appropriate ECommerce marketing plan for an enterprise. The course also provides the students with the real world experience of developing a pseudo working website in coincidence and in support of the Marketing plan. Other issues examined include channel structures given an electronic environment and the impact on supply chain management, e-tools, and ECommerce marketing as viewed through the traditional marketing mix. Critical evaluations of web sites, web tools, promotions, advertising, selling and communications are also explored.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
07/28/25 - 01/02/26 01/05/26 - 03/01/26 Winter 2026 Session B 8 Week session
09/29/25 - 02/27/26 03/02/26 - 04/26/26 Winter 2026 Session D 8 Week session
11/24/25 - 05/01/26 05/04/26 - 06/28/26 Spring 2026 Session I 8 Week session

Course ID: 2759

|
This course is a study of the elements involved in such key global marketing functions as product, price, place and promotional activities. Students will evaluate global marketing opportunities, develop strategy, and simulate implementation of it as it relates to total organizational strategy.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
08/25/25 - 01/30/26 02/02/26 - 03/29/26 Winter 2026 Session I 8 Week session
10/27/25 - 04/03/26 04/06/26 - 05/31/26 Spring 2026 Session B 8 Week session
12/29/25 - 05/29/26 06/01/26 - 07/26/26 Spring 2026 Session D 8 Week session

Courses Start Monthly

Next Courses Start Jan 5
Register by Jan 2
Apply Now Request Info

Admission Requirements

  • All AMU master's degree/graduate certificate programs require a bachelor’s degree (or higher) from an institution whose accreditation is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA®). Please read all graduate admission requirements before applying to this program and be prepared to submit the required documentation.
  • There is no fee to complete the AMU admission application for this program. View steps to apply.

CHEA® is a registered trademark of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. 

Materials Cost

Technology fee: $85 per course 

Need Help?

Selecting the right program to meet your educational goals is a key step in ensuring a successful outcome. If you are unsure of which program to choose, or need more information, please contact an AMU admissions representative at 877-755-2787 or [email protected].

Quality Education Should Be Affordable

So you can focus on the opportunities ahead, without the financial burden of more expensive schools who are not as invested in your success. Learn more about paying for school.

Consumer Information

Disclosures

Maryland Residents learn more about costs, completion rates, median debt, and more.

2Alumni Graduated with No APUS-incurred Student Loan Debt As of December 31, 2021

Includes alumni who graduated with an associate, bachelor's, or master's degree from APUS. Student loan debt is defined as student loans and private education loans used for tuition, fees, living expenses, and book costs associated with courses taken at APUS. Many APUS students receive military tuition assistance and veterans education benefits, which are not student loan debt.

1The University reserves the right to accept or deny credits according to policies outlined on our University website. Please see the University's transfer credit policy webpage for complete information.

*Cost Per Credit Hour

The Preferred Military Rate is $250 per credit hour for undergraduate and  master's-level courses. This rate is available to all U.S. active-duty servicemembers, National Guard members, Reservists, and military families, including parents, spouses, legal partners, siblings, and dependents.

See all military student benefits.

Cost of Attendance

Learn more about AMU’s cost components and full cost of attendance.