If registration is open for a course, a registration link will be available within the course description section.
Each course involves approximately 5 hours of work each week: 2.5 hours of online contact and 2.5 hours of study/assignments. (Please note that the Grantwriting course may require up to ten hours a week.)
Required textbooks are noted within course descriptions and may be purchased online (i.e. Amazon, etc.). Students should purchase textbooks before the first class meeting.
All courses are available for undergraduate or graduate credit.
For more information on these courses or the Professional Certificate, please contact Marian Palaia at 406.243.2586 or marian.palaia@mso.umt.edu, or Andrea Vernon at 406.243.5159 or andrea.vernon@mso.umt.edu.
Learn more about the internship component of the certificate program.
This course is intended for students and professionals interested in learning the concepts related to nonprofit advocacy and public policy. The course will examine how policy influences nonprofits as well as how nonprofits impact policy. It will address the role of nonprofit organizations in the public policy process including advocacy strategies and techniques and examine in turn how laws shape nonprofit involvement in that process. Instructor: Cindy Briggs, Ph.D.
Required textbooks are The Lobbying and Advocacy Handbook for Nonprofit Organizations: Shaping Public Policy at the State and Local Levels, by Marica Avner (this book can be ordered from www.fieldstonealliance.org; use Briggs/UM in code), St. Paul, MN: Wilder Foundation, and A Voice for Nonprofits by Jeffrey M. Berry and David Arons, Washington, DC: The Brookings Institution.
Course meets January 11 - March 19, 2010. Available for 2 undergraduate or graduate credits.
This course is intended for students and professionals interested in learning the concepts related to nonprofit advocacy and public policy. The course will examine how policy influences nonprofits as well as how nonprofits impact policy. It will address the role of nonprofit organizations in the public policy process including advocacy strategies and techniques and examine in turn how laws shape nonprofit involvement in that process. Instructor: Jesse Munro, Adjunct Instructor in Political Science at the University of Montana. Read the syllabus.
Required textbook is The Ethics Primer for Public Administrators in Government and Nonprofit Organizations, by James Svara, Jones and Bartlett Publishers.
Course meets November 2, 2009 - January 8, 2010. Available for 2 undergraduate or graduate credits.
This course teaches students how and where to look for foundation and government funding sources; and the fundamentals of writing effective grant proposals. Instructor: Cindy Briggs, Ph.D. Read the syllabus.
The required textbook is The Everything Grant Writing Book: Create the Perfect Proposal to Raise the Funds You Need (Everything Series), 2nd Edition, by Nancy Burke Smith and Judy Tremore.
Course meets November 9 - December 18, 2009. Available for 1 undergraduate or graduate credit. (Note: This course is full; if you are interested in a future section of this course, please contact Marian Palaia, 406.243.2586, marian.palaia@mso.umt.edu.)
This course introduces students to the field of human resource management in public and nonprofit organizations. It focuses on the knowledge and skills required by both personnel officers and those who manage personnel on a daily basis. The course provides a solid base in developing an understanding of human resource management and applying that understanding to work-life situations and for those considering a career in supervision/management. The course also provides an overview of the numerous federal laws, executive orders, and court decisions that have shaped the field of human resource management. A solid understanding of these concepts and laws is essential to operating successfully in the field of human resource management. Instructor: Jesse Munro, Adjunct Instructor in Political Science at the University of Montana. Read the syllabus.
The required textbook is Human Resources for Public and Nonprofit Organizations by Joan E. Pynes, Published by Jossey-Bass, ISBN: 978-0-470-33185-9.
Course meets May 31 - August 6, 2010. Available for 2 undergraduate or graduate credits.
This course teaches the basics of financial management for nonprofits. It will explore special issues related to nonprofit financials including budgeting, reporting, tax issues and accounting, focusing primarily on financial statements, continuous budgeting and executive processes. Instructor: Lisa Swallow, Business Technology Faculty, University of Montana-College of Technology. Read the syllabus.
The required textbook is Management Control in Nonprofit Organizations by Robert N. Anthony and David W. Young.
Course meets April 19 - May 28, 2010. Available for 1 undergraduate or graduate credit.
This course teaches students the basics of fundraising, including annual fund, major gifts, capital campaigns, planned giving, grants and special events. The course will also give students the foundation and tools needed to implement these plans into action. By the end of the course students will have developed at least one major fundraising plan focusing on one area. Read the syllabus.
The required textbook is Fundraising Basics: A Complete Guide by Barbara Ciconte and Jeanne Jacob. Suggested (but not required) is Conducting a Successful Fundraising Program, by Kent E. Dove.
Course meets March 8 - April 16, 2010 (as PSCI 460). Available for 1 undergraduate or graduate credit.
This course explores the components inherent in creating and maintaining a governing body that promotes a healthy and successful nonprofit organization. Critical governance, leadership, and management elements are studied including: strategic planning; policy-making; fundraising and financial roles and responsibilities; strategies for board recruitment, orientation and evaluation; and Executive Director/Board relationships. Instructor: Terry Profota, Adjunct Professor in the College of Business at Montana State University and president of Sage Solutions consulting. Read the syllabus.
The required textbook is The Nonprofit Handbook, 5th Edition , by Gary M. Grobman, published by White Hat Communications.
Course meets January 25 - March 5, 2010. Available for 1 undergraduate or graduate credit.
This course is intended for students and professionals interested in learning about nonprofit program planning, including conducting needs assessments and other methods of community outreach; staffing; budgeting; marketing; evolving programs; and the various methods of evaluating programs, both during and after initial program planning. Instructor: Marian Palaia, Adjunct Instructor in Political Science at the University of Montana.
The required textbook is Field Guide to Nonprofit Program Design, Marketing and Evaluation by Carter MacNamara, published by Authenticity Consulting.
Course meets March 22 - May 28, 2010. Available for 2 undergraduate or graduate credits.
This course highlights the importance of leadership for realizing an organization's fullest potential. It also introduces strategic planning--a process by which staff members can bring their shared vision of success into being. The reading assignments are designed to increase knowledge of strategic planning and leadership, and the writing assignments are designed to build personal skill and confidence by asking you to draft a brief strategic plan. Instructor: Jesse Munro, Adjunct Instructor in Political Science at The University of Montana. Read the syllabus.
There is no required textbook for this course.
Course meets September 28 - November 6, 2009. Available for 1 undergraduate or graduate credit.
This course introduces students to the process of recruiting, retaining, and rewarding volunteers at a nonprofit organization. The course will be beneficial to anyone interested in learning about specific volunteer management issues at nonprofit organizations. This course will explore special issues related to nonprofit volunteer management including recruitment and retraining volunteers, supervision, evaluation and special topics. Instructor: Cindy Briggs, Ph.D. Read the syllabus.
Required textbooks are Leadership and Management of Volunteer Programs: A Guide for Volunteer Administrators by James C. Fisher and Kathleen M. Cole and The New Breed: Understanding & Equipping the 21 st Century Volunteer by Jonathan McKee and Thomas W. McKee. Suggested (but not required) is The Volunteer Recruitment Book by Susan J. Ellis.
Course meets August 17 - October 23, 2009. Available for 2 undergraduate or graduate credits.
The internship component of the certificate program includes at least 350 hours of volunteer or paid hours working directly with a nonprofit organization. If the student works at a nonprofit organization, professional work that is aligned with the program focus will qualify as internship credit. Students will complete various reflection activities, including a formal, 10-page paper, documenting their learning throughout the internship experience. Read the syllabus.
Available for 4 undergraduate or graduate credits.
