Mission-Driven Operations and Management
Develop efficient and effective operations and programming for mission-driven organizations in this certificate designed for emerging and existing nonprofit professionals. Learn to take on financial planning, resource allocation and management, and strategic programming development — all informed by data and research. Leverage community-based approaches to cultivate partnerships and secure grants.

At a Glance


Free Application
University College is committed to educational access, and given the difficult circumstances currently impacting millions of people, we are waiving application fees.
Skills You'll Learn
Evaluate nonprofit program design including collective impact and logic models
Determine resource allocation and measure impact
Develop diverse funding structures to best resource program operations
Curriculum
Specialized Graduate Certificate in Mission-Driven Operations and Management requires completion of 16 credit hours (4 courses).
All students are required to complete a zero-credit Student Success Course.
Sample Schedule
Finish a graduate certificate in as few as six months or take up to a year. Choose your time to completion to get a better sense of what your schedule will look like during your certificate program.
Year 1 | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 |
---|---|---|---|---|
4-Course Certificate Classes | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
6-Course Certificate Classes | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
Take a Course Before You Apply
We know how important it is to get started when you're ready and that's why you can enroll in a course before you officially apply.
Career Outcomes
Predicted outcomes for graduates of Mission-Driven Operations and Management
The Bureau of Labor Statistics found there were nearly 12.3 million jobs in the nonprofit sector, which amounts to 10.2% of employment in the United States. The Colorado Nonprofit Economic Impact study found that nonprofits make 11.3% of the state’s GDP and accounts for over 333,000 jobs.
The nonprofit industry is a diverse industry with employers based in large cities to rural areas. Nonprofit professionals can seek employment in healthcare, education, social services, arts and culture, and more.
Job Titles
Non Profit Services Director of Operations Salary: National Average
Get Ahead with Career Services
One-on-one career coaching and mock interviews
Job database dedicated to DU students and alumni
Résumé and cover letter guidance
Hear from Our Students
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These times are tumultuous, yet nonprofit organizations still need to move forward to make the world a better place. How are we navigating our organizations and fundraising programs through this time of uncertainty? Let's come together and discuss how we all can survive and even thrive in these times. In this session, seasoned nonprofit professionals who are Nonprofit Leadership faculty, will address the challenges of creating a fundraising strategy in the age of COVID-19 and practical tips to make your fundraising program work in times of crisis.

Flexible Online Classes
We understand the demands of balancing work, friends and family, and school can be challenging. That's why at University College, you can complete your program entirely online. Our online learning platform makes it easy to work anywhere at any time.
Featured Faculty
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Accreditation & Associations

University College programs maintain the highest level of accreditation offered by The Higher Learning Commission, one of the regional accrediting bodies recognized by the federal government. The University of Denver and all of its academic programs are regionally accredited by this commission, and regional accreditation is the highest standard for universities in the United States.
The University of Denver's Nonprofit Leadership program through University College is proud to be a sponsor of the Colorado Nonprofit Association, a valued community partnership for more than a decade.

The Nonprofit Leadership program at DU's University College is a proud member of several leading nonprofit associations, including the Nonprofit Academic Centers Council (NACC).