Industry Growth
Employment of social and community service managers is expected to increase by 12% by 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Employment Projections.
Graduate Program
Nonprofit Leadership Certificate
A certificate in nonprofit leadership will ignite your career at the forefront of social change.
At a Glance
Click to OpenOffered as
Certificate
Format
100% Online
Credits
12
Avg. Time to Completion
1 Year
College/School
Explore the Nonprofit Leadership Certificate
Our online certificate in nonprofit leadership will set you up for success in a growing sector dedicated to creating positive social change. Grow your communication skills and learn to manage organizational change across nonprofit institutions.
With advanced knowledge in nonprofit leadership, you'll be ready to guide any nonprofit organization through a diversity of social, economic, and bureaucratic issues to help communities at the frontline.
Offered 100% online, the nonprofit leadership certificate is a good option for busy, working adults to explore graduate study without yet making a full commitment to a longer master's degree program. If completing this program piques your interest in pursuing a master's, it's easy for you to transition seamlessly into our master's degree in public administration.
Nonprofit Leadership Certificate Program Information
In the nonprofit leadership certificate program, you'll explore courses in planning, advocacy, advancement, and more at a reduced tuition rate, and start your graduate degree in a cost-effective way.
View the Loading... for information regarding the certificate program requirements.
After you complete the certificate in nonprofit leadership, you can easily transition to the master's degree in public administration.
The transition is simple: once you complete a short application, all your certificate courses are automatically applied to the master's degree. With certificate courses offered at a significantly reduced rate, starting your MPA degree with the nonprofit leadership certificate enables you to cut the cost of your graduate degree.
Career Outlook & Outcomes for Nonprofit Leadership Certificate
Why Study Nonprofit Leadership at Widener?
Build a Network of Industry Insiders
Your education will stretch beyond the classroom as you build relationships with accomplished guest speakers, driven classmates, engaged alumni, and nonprofit leadership faculty who infuse their teaching with the latest trends, technology, and thinking. As you get to know these industry insiders, you'll create a meaningful network of connections that will follow you long after graduation.
Be Welcomed with Open Arms
Coming to Widener means joining a university culture rooted in diversity, equity, inclusion & belonging (DEIB). We value the contributions of each member of our community, embracing the diverse identities, backgrounds, life experiences, and perspectives that make us Widener. Especially for those entering leadership roles in nonprofit industries, crafting spaces of mutual respect and empathy are essential to career success.
From support services including accessibility, interfaith beliefs and practices, LGBTQIA+ community, and beyond, we're here to provide the resources you need to thrive.
Our Faculty
"Our students care about furthering positive outcomes in society. My goal in the classroom is to help them do this by building managerial and leadership skills that improve work performance in the near term and aid career advancement."
Recent News
Widener Celebrates Excellence at 2025 Commencement
The 2025 graduates marked their accomplishments in a series of ceremonies held on Memorial Field.
Meet Taylor Easter, the 2025 President’s Award Winner
Taylor Easter is the 2025 President's Award winner. One of the university's highest honors, the President's Award recognizes a graduating senior who has contributed the most to Chester campus life through scholarship and participation in extracurricular activities.
STEM Teaching Center Brings Community Learning and Engagement to Life
The STEM Teaching Center, formerly known as the Science Teaching Center, is making a big local impact and creating a pathway for students from across the university to engage with the community.
Admissions & Aid
Our admissions and financial aid teams are here to support you every step of the way. Have a question? Ask away!
Admissions Information
Applying online is easy—and it's secure.
What you'll need to apply:
- Completed online application
- $35 application fee
- Personal statement (see below for prompt)
- 2-3 letters of recommendation
- Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university
- Official transcripts from all postsecondary schools attended
- Minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 (If not attained, evaluation of student's ability to complete graduate work will be based on academic performance and a necessary 3.0 GPA within first six credit hours.)
- GMAT or GRE scores will be considered but are not required
We review applications on a rolling basis. There is no deadline for this program.
Financial Aid
Paths to Savings
85% of Full-Time Grad Students Receive Aid
Simply apply to Widener and complete the financial aid process to be automatically considered for scholarships and grants. Because Widener is a private institution, we are able to offer financial assistance that brings our education within reach for individuals who might otherwise not be able to afford it. You might be surprised at how much we are able to offer in assistance.
Applying For Financial Aid as a Graduate Student
In order to receive your part of the financial aid pie, all you have to do is submit your FAFSA. "FAFSA" stands for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and helps identify whether you are eligible for aid awarded by Widener, the government, and other sources.
Employer Discounts & Tuition Reimbursement
Widener University also partners with many local organizations and corporations to offer discounted tuition and other incentives to their employees. Don't see your company on the list? Ask them to become a partner. In addition, employers often offer educational reimbursement benefits. We encourage you to explore these opportunities and will be glad to provide any necessary documentation.
20% Discount for Widener Alumni
(some restrictions apply)
If you graduated with a degree from Widener, you may qualify for a 20% tuition discount. The first step to see what you qualify for is to submit your application. Widener offers students many paths to savings, and while we don't offer "double discounts", we'll make sure you'll get the biggest financial benefit you're eligible for. Only students who have completed an associate's, bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree are eligible. Students who have pursued a 4+1, 4+2, or 3+3 pathway, graduate assistantship, Widener-funded scholarship, or other tuition discount may not be eligible if the financial discount granted surpasses 20%.
Program Cost
Graduate Admissions Office
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Hyatt Hall
14th St
Chester, PA 19013 - 610-499-4282
- gcs@widener.edu
Public Administration Graduate Program
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Kapelski Learning Center, Room 229
- 610-499-1120
- jevike@widener.edu
James E. Vike
Associate Dean of Social Science
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Kapelski Learning Center
Room 229 - (610) 499-1120
- jevike@widener.edu