Fast track your nonprofit career - WCU Certified Nonprofit Professional

Western Carolina University offers the Certified Nonprofit Professional (CNP) program in partnership with the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance (NLA). This national certification includes eight-non-credit courses that are completed in approximately twelve months. 

The CNP was launched this past March as a hybrid program offering the benefits of face-to-face learning combined with the convenience of on-line.  After completing the first one-day workshop on-site at WCU at Biltmore Park, participants complete 4 weeks of on-line curriculum per course including group discussions, presentations and assignments relevant to effectively managing and leading within the nonprofit sector. 

Courses are taken in any order and are repeated annually. The next module, Marketing and Communications, starts July 14, 2017 at WCU at Biltmore Park. For more information on the program, courses, dates, cost and requirements visit go to pdp.wcu.edu. The NLA offers participants digital badges for each course that’s completed and a national certification after completing all eight.

 “The CNP credential is built on 70 years’ experience developing effective nonprofit leadership development programming,” says Susan T. Schmidt, CNP, president of the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance. “Every person who carries the CNP emblem has completed a rigorous program that combines both coursework and application of principles. By getting their hands dirty, these emerging leaders are able to test the theories and best practices gained in the classroom. We focus on a reduction of learning curve, which is what sets our CNPs apart and places them on the path to employment success.”

About the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance: Since 1948, the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance has worked to strengthen the social sector with a talented, prepared workforce. Its Certified Nonprofit Professional (CNP) credential is the only national nonprofit management certification in the U.S. offered in conjunction with regionally-accredited universities. The Alliance system, which includes nearly 40 colleges and universities, 15 national nonprofit workforce partners and more than 9,600 CNPs, is the largest network in the country working to build a talent pipeline for the social sector.

For more information contact Jill Thompson at 828-227-3070 or jcthompson@wcu.edu.