Online Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Administration from LSUS
Curriculum aligned with Nonprofit Academic Centers Council (NACC) Graduate Guidelines
Focuses on fundraising, board development, grant writing, and financial management
Designed with input from nonprofit industry leaders
Prepares graduates for roles such as Development Director, Program Director, Executive Director, Volunteer Manager, and Operations Manager
Admissions
The admission process is the first step toward earning your degree and preparing for more rewarding opportunities.
Apply by
Apr 20, 2026
Classes begin
May 11, 2026
Program Requirements
We’ve streamlined the process so you can get started quickly and easily. Students interested in the Nonprofit Administration online degree program must meet the following requirements for admission.
Program Requirements:
- Submit graduate application and $20 application fee
- GPA: A minimum 2.5 grade point average on the undergraduate degree (on a 4.0 scale) or a 2.75 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) in the last 60 hours attempted in the degree program. Additionally, a 3.0 GPA is required on any graduate work previously attempted with no more than 6 credit hours with a grade of "C" and no grades of "F".
- Academic Standing: Graduate students must be in satisfactory standing at the last institution that they attended.
- Entrance Exam: No GRE is required.
- Official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended and any other required official documents
Once your materials have been received, you will receive notification from Graduate Studies and your materials will be forwarded to the graduate director of the Graduate Certificate program.
Official transcripts, official test scores, and other materials that come from third-party sources should be mailed to:
LSUS
Admissions and Records Office
One University Place
Shreveport, LA 71115
Transcripts may also be submitted via secure means—e.g., eSCRIP-SAFE—to admissions@lsus.edu.
To be considered for admission to any of our graduate programs, students must first meet the LSUS Graduate School admission requirements.
Graduate School Admission
Unconditional Admission: For unconditional admission to graduate study, students must be in satisfactory standing at the last institution attended and meet all admission requirements of a degree program and one of the following:
- Earned a graduate degree from a regionally accredited university, OR
- Earned a bachelor's degree from an accredited university, with minimum 2.5 overall GPA or minimum 2.75 GPA in the last 60 semester hours of courses.
- A minimum 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) is required on any graduate work attempted with no grades of D or F.
International Admission:
International applicants must meet regular admission requirements for their selected program. In addition, you may be required to submit additional information. Learn more about international admission requirements.
Tuition
LSUS’s online programs offer competitive, flat-rate tuition with no out-of-state fees. Plus, you may be able to save even more by transferring up to 75% of previous credits.
Tuition & Fees
- 12 credit hours
- Total credit hours per program
- $378
- Cost per credit hour
- $4,541
- Total cost with fees
Cost may be reduced if transfer courses apply.
The total cost above does not include transfer credit or financial aid. Cost per credit hour and fees are subject to change. Fee schedules may vary by program depending on course-specific fees for proctoring and/or books. Please contact a Student Success Coach for more information.
Financial Aid Available
LSUS offers several ways to help you pay for your degree including credit for prior learning (PLA), financial aid, and veteran education benefits. Learn More ›
Academics
Students enrolled in the online Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Administration will learn essential skills and knowledge necessary to become leaders in the nonprofit sector.
Courses
| Courses | Credit hours |
|---|---|
NPA 602 - Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector |
3 |
NPA 634 - Nonprofit Boards and Leadership |
3 |
NPA 661 - Nonprofit Financial Oversight |
3 |
NPA 662 - Fund Development and Grants |
3 |
What Will I Learn?
Students in this program will learn to do the following:
- Examine the nonprofit, philanthropic sector, and civil society’s influence on social institutions
- Analyze effective nonprofit administration practices such as nonprofit boards and leadership, nonprofit finance, fund development and grants, and nonprofit law
- Enhance the administration capabilities of nonprofit organizations
Testimonials
Nonprofit professionals without a masters degree will find the Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Administration appealing because it is a comprehensive program covering topics in fundraising, financial management, and board development. The program allows students to gain an abbreviated knowledge of nonprofit management at the masters level and students can apply the 12 credits toward completing the 33 credit hour masters program.
Careers
The online program curriculum focuses on fundraising, board development, grant writing, financial management, and more. Graduates will gain in-demand skills to advance their careers as Development Directors, Program Directors, Executive Directors, Volunteer Managers, or Operations Managers.
Career Opportunities
- Development Assistant
- Administrative Assistant
- Program Officer
- Executive Assistant
- Volunteer Manager
- Operations Assistant
- Fundraising Specialist
