Nonprofit and Public Management

Overview

The Nonprofit and Public Management program from Portland State University is a 21-credit (7-course) certificate program designed to provide existing and aspiring middle managers in nonprofit and public organizations with the knowledge and skills necessary to be successful in carrying out their administrative responsibilities. 

Students will be joining a learning community of faculty and professionals who share their passion for leading meaningful social change and working for the common good. PSU's Department of Public Administration offers a faculty of dedicated professors and professional instructors who draw on the best of both theory and applied practice from the nonprofit and public sectors to help students lead for the common good.

Program Objectives

It aims to improve the effectiveness, efficiency, and efficacy of those who have responsibility for managing nonprofit and public organizations, by providing them with the following knowledge and skills to achieve the following learning objectives:

• Understand the distinctive role responsibilities of middle managers in the nonprofit and public sectors.
• Develop or enhance knowledge and skills to manage organizational systems, such as budgeting, personnel, management information.
• Develop or enhance knowledge and skills to manage organizational design, change, and evaluation.
• Develop or enhance knowledge and skills to manage inter-organizational and inter-jurisdictional relationships.
• Develop or enhance knowledge and skills to manage conflict.
• Develop or enhance knowledge and skills to manage cultural and organizational diversity.