Industry and Careers
The opportunities offered by the nonprofit and voluntary sector are wide and diverse, from larger scale operations like the International Red Cross to local nonprofits working with youth in their communities. Graduates of the certificate may find career opportunities in local, national, and international nonprofits, charitable organizations, government, and more.
This certificate can lead to career paths in the following specializations:
- Administration
- Advocacy and government relations
- Communications
- Leadership and management
- Marketing and fund development
- Program development and delivery
- Research and policy
- Volunteer management
Who Should Take This Certificate?
- Experienced workers in the nonprofit sector who seek to deepen and broaden their knowledge and learn specific skills they haven’t learned on the job – for example, leadership or management
- Individuals who are interested in transitioning into the charitable sector from the business or public sector
- Undergraduate students who are interested in completing degree-credit courses or a minor in the nonprofit sector
- Individuals who are interested in developing relationships and partnerships with nonprofit organizations from a base in the public, institutional, or private sectors.
What Will You Learn?
The program’s interdisciplinary curriculum pools knowledge from Toronto Metropolitan University’s Faculty of Arts and the Ted Rogers School of Management. Customize your learning with courses that offer an engaging blend of theory and practice. After completing this certificate, you will be well versed in key areas of nonprofit and voluntary sector management:
- Leadership
- Marketing
- Financial management
- Strategic planning
- Evaluation
- Organizational management and change
- Diversity
- Issues in the sector
- International NGOs
Certificate Requirements
- 4 required courses
- 4 electives
- Cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 1.67+
Note: All courses in the certificate are undergraduate level credit courses.
All courses in this certificate are offered online and in class.
Admission Criteria
Recommended:
- Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent
- With 6 Grade 12 U or M credits
OR
- Mature student status
Awards and Financial Aid
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it difficult to enrol in courses? Do I have to get academic transcripts?
No. Course enrolment is open to adults as mature students or to those who have completed high school. You do not need to submit academic transcripts if you apply as a mature student.
Do I have to belong to, or work in, a nonprofit organization to register?
No. The program is open to anyone interested in the sector. Most students have connections with nonprofit organizations – as volunteers, staff, or board members – or work in areas that bring them into contact with nonprofits and charities.
Do I have to register for the certificate to take courses?
We recommend that you register for the certificate at the same time that you register for your first courses.
However, you can enrol in courses without registering for the certificate program. Please remember that if you want to graduate with the certificate, you must register before you have completed 50 percent of the courses.
I have a specific interest, can I only take a course or two?
If you wish to upgrade your skills in specific areas, especially if you already have experience in other aspects of nonprofit management, you may choose to take only one or two courses in the certificate. (However, we hope that you will enjoy the learning experience and sign up for the certificate!)
Those wishing to graduate with an official certificate must register in the certificate program, take eight courses and complete the program within the allotted time frame.
When and how are classes offered?
Classes are offered in the Fall term (September–December), Winter term (January–April), and Spring/Summer term (May–July). They are 13 weeks long.
Please check individual courses for more information.
Are all classes available in the classroom or online?
All of the classes are available online and in the classroom. You can complete the certificate either way, or through a combination of online and in-class courses. The required courses are offered in classroom and online versions each year. Not every elective course is available every year – you will need to check the schedule and plan your course selection.
Do I have to enrol in the courses starting with CINP 900 before moving up to the higher numbered courses?
No, but you are strongly encouraged to start the certificate by taking CINP 900 and CINP 901 because these courses provide a foundation about the nonprofit sector and nonprofit organizations. This will be helpful for the other courses, but it is not a requirement.
You may enrol in any course you feel you need or are interested in. The only restriction to enrolling in courses is the existence of course prerequisites. CINP 920 cannot be taken until you have completed CINP 900, CINP 901, and either CINP 902 or CINP 915.
How long does it take to complete the program?
Students have up to five years to complete the eight-course certificate.
Depending on each student’s circumstances and the availability of courses, the time for completion will vary. It depends on how many courses you are able to take in one term, as well as how many terms per year you enrol in courses. Remember that you will need to balance your studies, work, and personal life. The quickest time to complete the program would be three terms (one academic year) but this will depend on the course schedule.
We encourage you to pace yourself so that you have time to absorb the curriculum materials from each course. If you are unsure whether you can manage more than one course at a time, we suggest you take one course and assess the workload with your other responsibilities.
How much does the program cost?
Each course is priced separately, so you will need to look at the course you’re interested in to determine its cost. The certificate program requires eight courses in total.
Can I take online courses even if I live close to Toronto Metropolitan?
Yes! Online courses are open to anyone. Many students who live in or near Toronto and choose to take a combination of online and in-class courses. You can complete the entire certificate program online, whether you live in the Greater Toronto Area or elsewhere in Canada or beyond.
How do online classes work?
Online courses are organized on a weekly basis and are asynchronous (meaning you go to the course website and read and interact with your classmates at your own pace during that week). You don’t have to commit to sitting in front of your computer at an assigned time each week. However, you do need to commit to weekly readings, individual and group assignments, and interaction with your fellow classmates on the discussion board.
If you are enrolled in an online course, you will need self-discipline to keep up with the workload. No one is looking over your shoulder and there isn’t that weekly meeting with the instructor in the classroom to motivate you to keep up!
What are “hybrid” courses?
Hybrid courses are taught through a combination of in-class and online instruction. One typical model is for the class to meet in person three times over a term – three Saturdays spaced about three to four weeks apart – with the rest of the teaching online. These courses also include opportunities for online discussions and other activities.
What types of learning methods are used in the courses?
It varies by course, but each course offers some combination of:
- group work
- case studies
- presentations
- discussions
- assignments, papers, essays
- tests and exams
How many hours per week will I have to spend on coursework?
This will vary from course to course and week to week. Some weeks you may have less required work to do while in other weeks there will be more. It is estimated that students will spend about three hours per week on online course modules and discussions or in the classroom and a further three hours per week on course readings and course work. Assignments and exams are in addition to these estimates.
Is this certificate program recognized in the broader academic and nonprofit community?
All of the courses in the program are university-level and degree-credit. There is general recognition of the program in the sector, and many managers frequently direct employees – or would-be employees – to the certificate program.
Can you tell me more about the students in this program?
There is no “typical” student in this program. Students range in age, educational background, and experience, but are connected by their interest in the nonprofit and voluntary sector. The diversity of the student body contributes to sharing, learning, and networking.
Contact Us
Questions? Contact Client Services.
Email: ce@torontomu.ca