Program Coordinator/Contact
Kimberly Gustafson, Instructor
Department of Consumer Sciences
Wagner Hall 409
605-688-4684
Program Information
The Leadership and Management of Nonprofit Organizations major will prepare students for jobs in the nonprofit sector. Through the Leadership and Management of Nonprofit Organizations (LMNO) program, students will be empowered to become successful professionals who work to advance the quality of life in communities. The program prepares students with opportunities to increase their abilities and skills in the work of leadership to enhance nonprofit organizations. Students will develop a basic understanding of the nonprofit sector, the role of philanthropy in the United States, and introduce the history, philosophy, ethics, and organizational structure of nonprofit and social service agencies. Students will apply fundraising techniques, the roles of human service professionals in the nonprofit field, and leadership and team development in organizational structures. In addition, students will study organizations and teams through the lens of leadership to apply theory to practice in different organizations including nonprofit organizations.
Upon completion of the undergraduate program, students may also earn the Certified Nonprofit Professional credential with the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance organization. This certification requires students to have knowledge and experiences in 10 different competencies areas. Those competency areas are: Communication, Marketing, and Public Relations; Culture and Diversity; Financial Resource Development and Management; Foundations and Management of Nonprofit Sector; Governance, Leadership, and Advocacy; Legal and Ethical Decision Making; Personal and Professional Development; Program Development; Volunteer and Human Resource Management; and Future of the Nonprofit Sector.
Graduates will be prepared to obtain positions with local, national, and international nonprofit organizations or employers outside of the nonprofit sector. Examples of these positions include executive director of a nonprofit; marketing and public relations; fundraising and resource development; human resources director of a nonprofit; volunteer recruitment and management; community and economic development; program development, management and evaluation; and financial administration and management. Students graduating with the LMNO major may be employed by for-profits in their public affairs, community relations, or corporate responsibility departments or in the consultant industry.
Student Learning Outcomes
Leadership and Management of Nonprofit Organizations graduates will:
- understand and apply fundamental nonprofit management terms, concepts, and skills;
- understand and apply the positive outcomes diversity brings to the classroom, workplace, team dynamics, problem solving processes and decision-making;
- develop and apply necessary skills (clear communication, teamwork, ethical decision-making, problem-solving, advocacy, and financial management) to be an effective leader and nonprofit professional;
- demonstrate the ability to design, implement, and evaluate services that facilitate targeted human experiences and that embrace personal and cultural dimensions of diversity;
- demonstrate, through a comprehensive internship and field experience the potential to succeed as professionals at supervisory or higher levels in nonprofit and/or related fields; and
- demonstrate the ability to use diverse, structured ways of thinking to solve problems related to different facets professional practice, engage in advocacy, and stimulate innovation.
Academic Requirements
Students will complete all LMNO coursework with a C or better.
Accreditation, Certification, and Licensure
Students may pursue the National Certified Nonprofit Professional credential through SDSU’s affiliation with the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance. The Certified Nonprofit Professional (CNP) credential is the only national nonprofit credential preparing students (undergraduate, graduate and professionals) for careers in nonprofit management.
Course Delivery Format
Certification requirements are met through course work, co-curricular involvement, and an internship. National Certification through the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance in nonprofit management requires an additional 300-hour internship with a nonprofit organization and attending the Alliance Management Institute.
