Certificates and Minors
Whether you are a nurse, teacher, musician, youth worker or artist, you will need to understand the fundamental principles of business or nonprofit organizations. The School of Business & Nonprofit Management is pleased to offer both certificate and minor options to undergraduate students who wish to balance their degree or studies with additional coursework.
Business and Economics Minor
If you are trying to understand the fundamental concepts of how businesses operate, you can complete five courses and fulfill the requirements for the Business and Economics Minor. Students who complete the business minor will be exposed to management, marketing, economics, finance and accounting.
Required Classes
• BSE 2110: Financial Accounting
• BSE 2211: Principles of Macroeconomics
• BSE 2310: Foundations of Finance
• BSE 2610: Foundations of Marketing
• BSE 3520: Principles of Management and Leadership
Nonprofit Leadership Studies Certificate
The Axelson Center is pleased to offer a nationally recognized Nonprofit Leadership Studies Certificate through an affiliation with American Humanics, a 50-year-old national alliance of colleges and universities, national nonprofit partners, and collaborating professional associations. The Nonprofit Leadership Studies Certificate is designed to prepare students for fulfilling and well-paying careers in management in the nonprofit sector, an area of the economy that is experiencing significant growth. More than one million nonprofit organizations are at work across the country, employing more than 10 million people and aided by over 100 million volunteers. It is estimated that these organizations, with society’s growing demand in their services, will need more than 50,000 new professionals every year to meet this challenge.
Designed to provide excellent preparation for entry-level careers in nonprofit organizations, this baccalaureate level certificate is intended to accompany any major and can also be applied toward a concentration in Nonprofit Management within the Bachelor of Science in Business and Economics degree program. To obtain the certificate, students must meet five program requirements, including fulfillment of a 300-hour internship in a nonprofit organization.
Program Requirements
These requirements are designed with one thing in mind: to prepare North Park University students for employment in the nonprofit sector. All requirements must be fulfilled in order to meet the nationally specified level of competency required by American Humanics. Each student should meet with the program’s coordinator to plan the path that will best meet his/her unique interests and career goals.
Two Core Courses
BSE 3720: Introduction to Nonprofit Leadership and Management (2 semester hours) - an introduction to various issues and topics relevant to nonprofit leadership. Nonprofit leaders from a variety of organizations will share their expertise with the class.
BSE 3730: Advanced Nonprofit Management and Leadership (4 semester hours) - provides students with knowledge and understanding of the leadership and management of nonprofit organizations. Students will gain theoretical and practical knowledge of the most essential leadership skills and attributes, as well as management functions exercised in nonprofit organizations. A final project involving assessment of a nonprofit organization is required. Prerequisite: BSE 3720
Three Electives
A course in Child and Youth/ Human Development:
PSYC 1000: Introduction to Psychology (4 semester hours)
PSYC 2300: Infant, Child, and Adolescent Psychology (2 semester hours)
PSYC 2400: Adulthood and Aging (2 semester hours)
SOCA 1910: Introduction to Sociology (4 semester hours)
YM 1510: Introduction to Youth Ministry (4 semester hours)
A course in Communication Studies
COMM 1910: Public Speaking (4 semester hours)
COMM 2010: Introduction to Communication Studies (4 semester hours)
COMM 2030: Interpersonal Communication (4 semester hours)
BSE 2540 and BSE 3510: Business Communications I and II (4 semester hours total)
A course in Financial Management:
BSE 2110 Financial Accounting (4 semester hours)
One nonprofit management internship – BSE 4970 (1-4 semester hours)
A minimum of 300 hours: equivalent to two semesters of 10 hours per week, one semester of 20 hours per week, one summer of 25 to 30 hours per week or some combination of these options. May be taken for variable credit according to institutional internship program policy. Up to eight semester hours of internship credit may be applied toward graduation. May be paid or unpaid. Check with the program coordinator for more information.
Active membership in the Nonprofit Leadership Student Association (NLSA) for at least two semesters
Designed to operate like a nonprofit, this student-led organization meets twice a month to plan and implement nonprofit awareness events and activities. The mission of the Nonprofit Leadership Student Association is to prepare and educate future professionals for lives of significance and service in the nonprofit sector through cultural, social, and educational co-curricular opportunities. NLSA membership is open to all North Park students.
Attendance at one national American Humanics Management Institute (AHMI)
Held in early January, the Institute brings together hundreds of college and university students from across the country to learn more about the field of nonprofit management and network with prospective employers and colleagues.