About the Program of Study
Proficiency in Management and Leadership
Earning a Professional Certificate
Program of Study Courses
Download
Enrollment Form [PDF]
Download
Brochure [PDF]
Earn Graduate
Credits
As a leader in your organization and your community, you recognize
that successful development is more than just "bricks and
sticks." Success in community development is the culmination
of staff development, community outreach, coaching, policy initiatives,
relationship building, resource development, and much more.
To achieve success, you as a leader must make the most of limited
resources — financial resources as well as your time and
your staff's time.
By progressing through the series of Management and Leadership courses, you will learn
to plan for the future strategically and competitively; to better
communicate and work with your staff and board; to evaluate
the success of your programs and your organization as a whole;
to develop the resources necessary for maintaining and improving
your products and services; to better understand your organization’s
finances and how to use the information from financial statements
as decision-making tools.
NeighborWorks America’s Training Division
has designed a curriculum to help staff, managers and officers
meet these challenges. Through the Management and Leadership
Program of Study, participants who successfully earn the Professional
Certificate will have gained the knowledge and tools necessary
to lead themselves, their organizations, and their communities
toward positive change.
About the Program
of Study
Education with Results
The Management and Leadership Program of Study consists of a
series of courses that together provide the theoretical framework,
specialized tools, and technical skills necessary to successfully
lead a dynamic community development organization in an ever-changing
and increasingly competitive environment.
The Program of Study emphasizes a hands-on approach, combining
your experience with lecture, case studies, site visits, small-group
exercises, and other participatory methods. Emphasis is placed
on peer learning, critical thinking, organizational assessment,
and action planning for results.
Candidates
Interested individuals at all levels of responsibility may
enroll in the Program of Study to earn a Professional Certificate
in Management and Leadership. This Program of Study would be
particularly appropriate for:
-
Executive directors;
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Senior managers;
-
Emerging leaders in community development;
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Members of a board of directors;
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Executive committee board members;
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Managers of community development intermediaries;
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Government managers working in community development;
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Funders wishing to gain a better understanding
of the demands on an executive director; and
-
Community-development educators
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Proficiency in Management and Leadership
As a Program of Study candidate, you will earn your Professional
Certificate by successfully completing a series of carefully
designed courses to help you most effectively:
-
Develop strategies to improve your strategic,
personnel, and operational management capabilities;
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Understand organizational position, including
current and optimal direction, and the partners needed to
reach organizational goals;
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Increase outcome effectiveness by creating
results-oriented goals and incorporating evaluation tools;
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Create strategic and business plans that are
responsive to ever-changing and increasingly competitive environments;
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Oversee and ensure effective financial management;
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Implement appropriate human resource management
and financial resource development strategies;
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Enhance skills to exercise leadership for
increased impact and effectiveness; and
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Mobilize communities toward positive change
by making the best use of available resources.
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Earning a Professional Certificate
Professional Certificates in Management and Leadership will be
awarded to individuals who successfully complete the required
coursework and evaluation process within
four years of application to the Program of Study. It is possible
to complete all Professional Certificate requirements in as few
as four institutes depending on course scheduling. With prior
approval by Training Division staff, candidates may receive credit
for relevant courses taken no more than two years prior to enrollment
in the Program of Study. Program of Study courses are open to
all training institute participants, but in order to be eligible
for the Professional Certificate, candidates must complete and
submit an application to enroll
formally in the Program of Study.
Program of Study participants have the option of taking required
course tests online rather than on paper. Learn more
about online testing for Program of Study courses.
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Program of Study Courses
Listed below are the required courses for earning
a Professional Certificate in Management and Leadership (for those
that enrolled after February 1, 2004).
Note: if you enrolled in the Program of Study prior to February
1, 2004, click here for Program
requirements (requirements are slightly different than for those
who enrolled after February 1).
Required Courses:
- ML250 Financial Management for Decision-Makers (3 days) (previously called “Achieving Organizational Success through Financial Management” and “Financial Management for Senior Managers” and “Understanding Your Balance Sheet and Its Connection to Fundraising Opportunities”)
Candidates must successfully complete a final practicum
— details will be provided upon successful completion of
the above listed courses.
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