Management of Community Organizations

Many people who work in community organizations are "accidental managers"; they started organizing or providing a direct service because of their deep commitment to an issue or need, but several years later face the challenge of administering growing, complex organizations. The Certificate in Management of Community Organizations (MCO), offered by the Department of Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning, provides management training within the framework of the social, economic, and political values that shape the nonprofit sector.

The certificate is open to students with a bachelor's degree and is especially appropriate for:

• New managers of community organizations
• Those with experience in the field who want to obtain management training
• Mid-career individuals interested in pursuing community work
• People who want to start a new agency or program
• Individuals seeking to explore graduate education in nonprofit management

Program Outcomes

The Certificate in Management of program trains people with a commitment to social purpose and effective management who wish to work at the community level. Participants share a commitment to working to improve the housing, employment, health, and the overall quality of life for low-income groups and communities.

Students who complete this certificate program may decide to continue on and apply to one of the Department of Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning's master's programs. If accepted into a master's program, the credits earned toward the completion of the certificate can often be counted toward the master's program.