Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management admissions

The Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management (NPM) welcomes applications from people holding at least a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution of higher education who have experience working in the nonprofit sector, resource development field, and philanthropic organizations or seeking any of such careers.

How to apply

The graduate certificate in nonprofit management accepts applications for admission to the fall, winter, and spring/summer terms. For a decision on regular admission, the application deadlines are:

  • Fall term: July 1
  • Winter term: November 1
  • Spring/summer term: March 1

A review of completed application packets will begin approximately a month prior to the deadline. Applications completed after the deadline will be considered if space is available; if there is no space available, applicants who meet our qualifications will be admitted for the next available semester.

Admission to this program is contingent upon admission to the Graduate School. Persons applying for admission to the graduate certificate must apply through the online application system maintained by the Office of Graduate Admissions (see instructions).

Current Wayne State University graduate students can add the certificate to their current degree by filling out the Change of Graduate Status Request Form ('add' the certificate) and submitting the form along with the other application materials listed below via email to npm@wayne.edu.

Application materials

To be considered for regular admission:

  • All applicants are required to submit a current résumé/CV and a personal statement discussing their previous experience with the nonprofit sector and relevant career goals
  • To be considered for regular admission:
    • Applicants holding bachelor's degrees must have a 3.0 GPA in their undergraduate program
    • Applicants holding graduate degrees must have a 3.0 GPA point average in their graduate program
    • GRE scores are not required

What to submit

The following documents must be submitted via the Office of Graduate Admissions:

  • Personal statement (one to two pages)
  • Résumé/CV
  • Copies of transcripts from colleges and universities attended or the most recent degree
  • International students only: TOEFL test scores and WES evaluation (see more about international students below)

Apply for admission

Admission decisions

Preference will be given to applicants who have prior working experience or are planning to develop their careers in the nonprofit sector, including philanthropic organizations and the resource development field.

International students

TOEFL scores are required for those applicants whose native language is not English. The minimum TOEFL scores are 79 on the internet-based test (iBT) or 550 on the paper-based test (PBT). Other tests accepted are MELAB and IELTS.

All applicants with a bachelor's from a non-U.S. institution must submit an official course-by-course transcript evaluation of that degree completed by one of the following credential evaluators:

  • World Education Services (WES)
  • Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE)
  • SpanTran: The Evaluation Company

Applicants who submit their credential evaluations by the deadline will receive a credit of $160 to their student account in their first term of enrollment. Applicants who have their credential evaluation fees paid by a third party are not eligible for this credit.

For more information on requirements for international applicants, please see Graduate School admissions for international applicants. International students are encouraged to contact the Office of International Students and Scholars and Graduate School early in the process.