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Nonprofit Focus - Leadership Studies Minor

The nonprofit focus within the Leadership Studies minor provides students with the knowledge, skills and experience that will prepare them for leadership in today’s rapidly growing nonprofit sector. Students will complete the four core classes (see Course Requirements) and three designated electives. In addition, students will participate in the Nonprofit Leadership Student Alliance (NLSA), complete a 300-hour internship and attend the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance Management/Leadership Institute national conference (NLAMI). At the completion of the minor, students will earn national certification through Nonprofit Leadership Alliance (see below).

Required Elective Courses
  • LEAD 502  Ethical Dimensions of Leadership 3 credit hours
  • LEAD 420  Theories of Nonprofit Leadership 3 credit hours
  • LEAD 499  Internship Seminar 3 credit hours

Other Requirements:

  • Participation in the Nonprofit Leadership Student Alliance for at least four full semesters.
  • Participation in a Nonprofit Leadership Alliance Management Institute (NLAMI).
  • Completion of 300 hours of internship experience in nonprofit organizations.

 

What is Nonprofit Leadership Alliance?

Nonprofit Leadership Alliance is a national alliance of colleges, universities, and nonprofit organizations that educates, prepares, and certifies the next generation of nonprofit leaders. Headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, it provides the only nationally recognized certification in nonprofit leadership in the U.S. When you complete an undergraduate degree minoring in Leadership Studies with a nonprofit Leadership Focus, you qualify for national certification through Nonprofit Leadership Alliance.

Why nonprofit Leadership/Nonprofit Leadership Alliance?

  • Earn national certification at no extra cost. It's a “value-added” component of your Nonprofit Leadership Alliance/Nonprofit Leadership Focus.
  • Get one-to-one support, career development, and mentoring by faculty and community nonprofit professionals.
  • Network with and gain special access to prospective employers at local, regional, and national levels.
  • Receive opportunities to practice nonprofit roles through internships, co-curricular and community service, and professional development activities.
  • Acquire references and referrals from organization and agency executive directors, advisory board members, and community leaders.
  • Get exposure to a national nonprofit network of partners and career options through NLAMI, a national conference held annually the first week in January.

How Do I Earn National Certification?

  • Complete the required coursework for the Leadership Studies minor with the nonprofit focus (18 credit hours).
  • Participate actively in the Nonprofit Leadership Student Alliance (NLSA) and its co-curricular activities, including fund raising, professional development, and community service. At least four full semesters of involvement in service, business meetings, fund raising, and professional development are strongly encouraged.
  • Participate in one Nonprofit Leadership Alliance Management Institute (NLAMI), held annually the first full week in January for students, their campus directors and other faculty, and for representatives of Nonprofit Leadership Alliance national nonprofit partners. Washington, D.C., Indianapolis, and Phoenix are just a few of the most recent NLAMI conference sites.
  • Complete of one, 300-hour, or two, 150-hour internship experiences in a nonprofit organization or organizations. Selection and confirmation of the internship site(s) are based on the student’s individual and professional goals and objectives and are guided by the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance Director.

Certification by Nonprofit Leadership Alliance is competency-based. Competencies include:

  • Professional Competencies
  • Foundation Competencies

For more information on attaining certification and completing the nonprofit focus, contact:

Nidhi Bhandari
Instructor, Nonprofit Leadership Alliance, nidhim@k-state.edu

Photo of Abdul Yahaya

Abdul Yahaya

“Without Leadership Studies I know that I would not be the person I am today. I appreciate the program supplying me with the resources to create positive change in our community. Leadership Studies fosters and encourages ideas.”