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 Open
Offered as
Certificate
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
How We Spent our Summer Vacation
Partnering with faculty advisors, more than 60 students participated in the annual Summer Undergraduate Research & Creative Activities (SURCA) program, applying what they’ve learned in the classroom to real-life, hands-on projects.
President's Award Winner: “My Experience at Widener has been Transformational”
President’s Award Winner Ijjae Hill reflects on her time at Widener as she prepares to receive her undergraduate degree.
Building Skills and Connections: The Value of Student-Workers on Campus
At Widener, students are engaged across campus in various on-campus jobs that enhance professional development and create a sense of community beyond their classroom experience.
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
Personal Statement
Please explain why you wish to do graduate work in the field you have selected with particular emphasis on your proposed area of specialization. Please limit this essay to no more than one typewritten page.
We review applications on a rolling basis. There is no deadline for this program.
Widener transfer applicants follow the same application process as general applicants. After you apply, our admissions team will work with you to determine whether completed undergraduate and graduate coursework will count towards foundation/core courses that can be waived or substituted.
Widener University serves as a "second home" for students from around the world. We are located just outside of Philadelphia and close to New York City and Washington, D.C.—offering many unique professional and personal opportunities to explore.
Want to know what it's like to be an international student on campus or need assistance navigating English proficiency requirements? We're here to help, and our international admissions director will support you through the application process. This support doesn't end with admissions—our International Student Support team will serve as a valuable resource throughout your Widener journey—meeting Visa/immigration requirements, getting acclimated to campus, and much more.
How to Apply as a Graduate International Student
- Complete your online application
- Submit your official transcripts from all college/university post-secondary institutions. A course-by-course credential evaluation completed by a NACES certified organization will be accepted if the transcript is not in the English language.
- Fulfill the English Proficiency requirements
- If you require an F-1 visa, you must provide written proof you have adequate funding available to meet the expenses incurred while studying in the United States
Financial Aid
Because Widener is a private institution, we're 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 how much we are able to offer.
Getting started is easy. Simply apply to Widener and submit your FAFSA to be automatically considered for scholarships and grants. "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. Our school code is 003313.
In order to receive a financial aid offer, students must meet certain eligibility requirements. Here are the general eligibility requirements for most financial aid programs:
- Must demonstrate financial need
- Be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen
- Be enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a regular student in an eligible degree or certificate program
Learn more about applying for financial aid as a graduate student
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.
Save up to 50% on Your Master's by Stacking Certificates
Widener's stackable certificates enable you to achieve your master's or doctoral degree by saying yes to one affordable certificate at a time. Here, you'll follow a more relaxed timeline and course load while earning certificate credits at a significant cost saving. Most of our certificate courses cost 50% less than master's courses.
Learn more about stacking certificates
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
Tuition rates are subject to change. Official costs for your first year will be determined at time of enrollment.
Graduate Admissions Office
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Hyatt Hall
14th St
Chester, PA 19013 - 610-499-4282
- gcs@widener.edu
Public Administration Graduate Program
-
Kapelski Learning Center, Room 229
- 610-499-1120
- jevike@widener.edu
James E. Vike
Associate Dean of Social Science
-
Kapelski Learning Center
Room 229 - (610) 499-1120
- jevike@widener.edu