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Center for Nonprofit Leadership
The Center for Nonprofit Leadership provides training to students interested in pursuing a career in nonprofit management. A career in nonprofit management will allow you to Make A Living Making A Difference.
The Center for Nonprofit Leadership has the following components:
How can you benefit from academic coursework in Nonprofit Management?
- Stand out in today’s job market! Nonprofit Management at YSU will train and certify you for a rewarding and prestigious career as a nonprofit leader.
- The nonprofit sector is the fastest growing employment sector in our country, and offers a wide-range of employment opportunities including:
- Management
- Marketing/PR
- Accounting
- Development/Fundraising
- Legal
- Social work
- Counseling
- Education
- Program Planning
- Public interest
- Community Relations
- And much more!
- Receive career coaching and placement assistance
- Receive one-on-one support, advisement and mentoring
- Participate in regional and national networking events and conferences with prospective employers
- Experience learning through internship placements
- Increase sense of being connected and belonging to the community – making your footprint!
Nonprofit Management Competencies
The Fundamentals of Nonprofit Management Training at YSU are based on 17 competencies developed by American Humanics. These competencies outline the knowledge, skills and abilities needed to lead and manage a nonprofit organization.
Professional Development Competencies
- Board/Committee Development
- Community Outreach/Marketing & Public Relations
- Diversity Awareness
- Ethics & Values
- Fundraising Principles & Practices
- Historical & Philosophical Foundations
- Information Management & Technology
- Nonprofit Accounting & Financial Management
- Nonprofit Management
- Program Planning, Implementation, & Evaluation
- Risk Management & Legal Issues
- Volunteer Management
- Youth & Adult Development
Foundational Competencies
- Career Development & Exploration
- Communication Skills
- Employability Skills
- Personal Attributes
Academic
American Humanics National Certificate in Nonprofit Management
American Humanics is a national alliance of colleges, universities and nonprofit organizations dedicated to educating, preparing and certifying professionals to strengthen and lead nonprofit organizations.
The American Humanics National Certificate in Nonprofit Management and Leadership is the only national certification of its kind. The American Humanics Certificate reflects that a student has demonstrated essential nonprofit competencies, practical experience in nonprofit organizations, leadership abilities, and meaningful service.
Any student interested in working within the nonprofit sector regardless of major can benefit from obtaining the American Humanics certificate. It will provide you a competitive edge in today’s job market!
Requirements for the American Humanics Certificate:
1. Course requirements (31 semester hours):
- English 1550
- English 1551
- Communication 1545
- General Psychology 1560
- Introduction to Sociology 1500
- Basic Public Relations 3710
- Nonprofit Leadership BUS3720 *
- Financial Management for Nonprofit Organizations ACCTG3722 *
- Introduction to Professional Ethics 2625 or other ethics course
- Nonprofit Internship BUS4840
- Nonprofit Internship Seminar BUS4841
- BUS3740 – Nonprofit Leadership Community Service / Student Nonprofit Leadership Organization (SNLO). Can be repeated up to four times.
* Course created specifically for the American Humanics Certificate and the Nonprofit Leadership Minor.
2. Internship with a nonprofit organization (300 hours or 20 hours per week for 15 weeks).
Students can receive up to 4 college credits for their internship by enrolling in Nonprofit Leadership Internship (BUS4840) for 3 semester hours OR use internship credits within their major. Also, students can enroll in the Nonprofit Internship Seminar (BUS4841) for 1 semester hour.
Funded internships at regional nonprofit organizations are available through the generosity of the Raymond John Wean Foundation. See below for details.
3. Attendance at one or more American Humanics Management Institutes (AHMI) or equivalents.
The American Humanics Management/Leadership Institute® is an intensive educational symposium where AH students, AH alumni, campus faculty/ staff, and nonprofit professionals engage in professional workshops, a case study experience, placement and career coaching services, and networking.
Attendance at an equivalent conference is also acceptable with permission.
4. Active participation in the Student Nonprofit Leadership Organization (SNLO)
The student organization is responsible for co-curricular, professional development experiences including site visits and guest lecturers as well as raising funds to pay for planned activities including attendance at AHMI. SNLO exists to provide students the opportunity to engage in qualifying leadership activities on campus and in the community.
5. Approval of completion of American Humanics competencies.
The 17 American Humanics competencies are the backbone of the AH certificate. They outline the knowledge, skills and abilities needed to lead and manage a nonprofit organization. These competencies are fulfilled through coursework, internships and co-curricular experiences.
Competencies are tracked with American Humanics at the national level through the AH Certification Transcript. Students track their progress and apply for certification through the AH Certification Transcript. All students must create a profile and complete online transcripts at www.humanics.org before attaining the certificate.
All competencies are met through coursework, internships and co-curricular experiences. One-on-one support with the Campus Director is available to help students with the American Humanics online transcript.
Nonprofit Leadership Minor
In addition to the Certificate, students at YSU seeking a Bachelor of Arts degree with an interest in working in the nonprofit sector can pursue the Nonprofit Leadership Minor. The Nonprofit Leadership Minor and American Humanics certificate can be pursued simultaneously. It is easily attainable to receive both your Nonprofit Leadership Minor and American Humanics certificate.
The minor requirements are:
- BUS3720 - Nonprofit Leadership (3 semester hours)
- ACCTG3722 - Financial Management for Nonprofit Organizations (3 semester hours)
- PR3710 - Basic Public Relations (3 semester hours) OR ADV3711 - Marketing Communications (4 semester hours)
- MGT3734 - Human Resource Management (3 semester hours) (Permission from the chair of management to count BUS3720 as a prerequisite for course)
- BUS4840 - Nonprofit Leadership Internship (3 semester hours)
- BUS4841 - Nonprofit Leadership Seminar (1 semester hour)
- MKTG4848 - Marketing and Social Responsibility (3 semester hours) (Permission from the chair of marketing to count BUS3720 as prerequisite for course)
- BUS3740 – Nonprofit Leadership Community Service / Student Nonprofit Leadership Organization (SNLO). Can be repeated up to four times.
INTERNSHIPS
Internships provide students with an opportunity to gain professional experience that enhances their job-readiness upon graduation. The Center for Nonprofit Leadership places students as interns in regional nonprofit organizations.
All students in the internship program receive four semester hours for completing an internship at a nonprofit organization. The semester hours include the internship (3 semester hours) and internship seminar (1 semester hour). The internship requirement is a minimum of 225 hours for the Nonprofit Minor and 300 hours for the American Humanics certification.
The RJ Wean Foundation Internship Program
Paid internships at regional nonprofit organizations are made available through the generosity of The Raymond John Wean Foundation.
 STUDENT NONPROFIT LEADERSHIP ORGANIZATION
This student group is for all currently enrolled students seeking a baccalaureate degree interested in making a difference in the community. SNLO provides professional nonprofit management experiences through site visits and guest lecturers from regional nonprofit organizations. Members of the organization help raise funds to attend student conferences through the planning and execution of fundraising events. Members also plan and execute recruitment events.
College credits are available for participation as meetings are held in conjunction with the Nonprofit Community Services class (BUS 3740). Those students seeking the Nonprofit Leadership Minor or American Humanics Certificate in Nonprofit Management and Leadership are required to participate in this student organization. Leadership positions are available. Meetings are held on Tuesdays at 4:00pm in the Centers for Excellence Conference Room, Williamson Hall, 2nd floor.
SERVICE LEARNING CITIZEN SCHOLAR PROGRAM
What is Service Learning?
Youngstown State University’s emphasis on applied learning and research coupled with a commitment to civic engagement, places community service as a unique and critical component of your educational experience. This form of learning through community service is aptly called service learning.
Service Learning Citizen Scholars
YSU recognizes students who have completed multiple service learning opportunities as Service Learning Citizen Scholars. This certification sets you apart from other students and provides recognition of your commitment and accomplishments related to serving our community by extending your learning experience to a nonprofit organization.
To become a Service Learning Citizen Scholar, you must:
- Complete 12 semester hours of coursework that have a service learning component
- Provide documentation for each service learning experience
- Earn an overall grade point average of 2.75
- Earn a minimum grade of “B” in each of the courses with a service learning component
- Complete the Service Learning Credit Contracts, including a faculty signature, documenting your service learning experience.
- Indicate on your Graduation Evaluation Form that you are seeking the Service Learning Citizen Scholar Certification.
What’s in it for me? Benefits of becoming a Service Learning Citizen Scholar:
- Recognition at commencement – commemorative stole
- Networking opportunities
- Resume building
- Academic enhancement by connecting your field of study to serving the community
- Personal and professional satisfaction of contributing knowledge to a nonprofit organization
- A deeper understanding of the community, civic responsibility, community challenges, and the role an individual plays in serving and strengthening our community
What is a Service Learning Course?
Any course that requires a project with a nonprofit organization. This can include a class, group or individual project. These projects allow you to share your knowledge and skills gained through coursework with a nonprofit organization.
Need help connecting with a nonprofit organization for a Service Learning project?
HandsOn Volunteer Network can help! You can contact HandsOn at 330-782-5877 or mdrummond AT HOVN DOT org to arrange a class, group or individual project at a nonprofit organization. (ADD HANDS ON LOGO)
Examples of Courses integrating Service Learning & Service Learning Projects:
- CMST 1545 – Communication Foundations
Project: Students, working in groups, formulate a problem question based on an issue they find to be important to the Mahoning Valley. As a group, the students then volunteer with an organization that addresses the issue in the problem question formulated, and prepared a presentation based on their volunteer experience and the topic selected. Students learned the processes of group dynamics and communicating as a team.
- MGT 3755 – Students in Managing Diversity
Project: Students worked with middle school students to prepare them for the transition to high school. Students learned about how different demographics affect the middle school students’ ambitions for higher education and how to work with a diverse group of individuals to accomplish a common goal.
- MKT 4815 – Marketing Research
Project: Students conducted a research project for Meridian Services. This project used the principles of marketing research to determine people’s perceptions of the treatment of drug and alcohol abuse and their perception of services provided by the agency.
- ACCT 4817 and 4818 – Accounting Principles
Project: Students participated in Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program helping senior citizens and low income individuals prepare their tax returns.
- PR 3710 – Basic Public Relations
Project: Students planned an event which raised more than $6,000 for Make-A-Wish Foundation.
- SCWK 2622 – Social Work Process
Project: Students learn the basics of the Social Work interview process by volunteering at various agencies throughout the community where they are provided the opportunity to interact with people, either in a one-on-one or group setting.
Please note: any approved class, group or individual project at a nonprofit organization can be used as service learning credit toward the Service Learning Citizen Scholar certification.
For more information on the Center for Nonprofit Leadership, please contact:
Laura McCaskey
Director, Center for Nonprofit Leadership and Campus Director, American Humanics
330-941-1870
LJMcCaskey AT ysu DOT edu |
Center for Nonprofit Leadership