100% ONLINE PROGRAM FOR WORKING ADULTS!

In many communities, nonprofit organizations exist to meet unmet needs, delivering essential services to individuals, families and neighborhoods. These organizations and their staff play a critical role in building strong communities while also creating meaningful social change. SWTC's Nonprofit Leadership Program provides students with the skills and experiences to equip them for careers with social service organizations hospitals and clinics, foundations, government agencies—including emergency services, health and human services, and educational institutions—and other organizations providing direct services to residents and communities.

Students in the Nonprofit Leadership Program study nonprofit strategic planning, management principles, board relations, non-profit branding and marketing, and fundraising. Courses in this program emphasize “learning by doing,” ensuring that students graduate with practical, marketable skills that can be applied in a variety of non-profit and government career fields.

  • Each spring and fall semester offers two eight-week course sessions.
  • Summer also offers eight-week courses.
  • New courses are offered every eight weeks (in August, October, January, March, and June), so there are many opportunities to start!

Get in touch with us about the Nonprofit Leadership program.

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Earn a certificate in Nonprofit Leadership

Take a few targeted courses and use your new skills to advance your career within your organization.

Nonprofit Essentials Certificate

This small set of classes gives you an understanding of strategic planning, operations management, Board development, and budgeting for nonprofits.

Certificate Details

Nonprofit Fundraising Certificate

Among other topics this certificate shows the three R's of volunteer management: Recruit, Retain, and Reward while learning the keys for successful event planning.

Certificate Details

Nonprofit Marketing Certificate

The classes in this certificate focus on marketing and brand management, identifying a target audience, marketing methods, social media platforms and more.

Certificate Details

Nonprofit Strategic Planning Certificate

These courses form the roots for build long-term strategy for growth and sustainability.

Certificate Details
  • Overview

  • Is This Program for You?

    If you are interested in community service, are a task-driven self-starter, enjoy teamwork, and are drawn to jobs and activities that allow you to give back to others while creating meaningful change, the Nonprofit Leadership Program may be a good fit for you.

    Students entering the Nonprofit Leadership Program should:

    • Interest in serving your community
    • Enjoy working with people from a variety of backgrounds and experiences
    • Approach their work with a high degree of integrity
    • Be able to make decisions
    • Be able to communicate clearly

    Program Basics

    The online Nonprofit Leadership program is designed specifically for individuals who work full-time with a minimum amount of discretionary time available to pursue educational goals. This allows you to learn at a faster pace to earn your degree faster.

    • Associate degree, requiring a minimum of two years to complete.
    • Classes are offered 100% online
    • High school articulation courses accepted
    • Financial aid available
  • Curriculum & Costs
    • Each spring and fall semester offers two eight-week course sessions.
    • Summer also offers eight-week courses.
    • New courses are offered every eight weeks (in August, October, January, March, and June), so there are many opportunities to start!

    Curriculum

    Note: Session 1 = 1st 8 weeks; Session 2 = 2nd 8 weeks.

    Semester 1 - Spring (Tuition: $1,840 Books: $30-$40)
    Course # Course Title Credits Session
    10-801-196 Oral/Interpersonal Communication 3 Session 1
    10-196-300 Foundations and Non-profits 3 Session 1
    10-196-301 Current Trends in Non-profits 3 Session 2
    10-196-302 Non-profit Strategic Planning 3 Session 2
    12
    Semester 2 - Summer (Tuition: $920 Books: $300-$450)
    Course # Course Title Credits Session
    10-809-195 Economics 3
    10-809-166 Introduction to Ethics 3
    6
    Semester 3 - Fall (Tuition: $1,840 Books: $150-$200)
    Course # Course Title Credits Session
    10-196-311 Nonprofit Financial Tools for Decisions 3 Session 1
    10-196-305 Meeting and Event Planning 3 Session 1
    10-102-130 Management Principles 3 Session 2
    10-196-303 Non-profit Leadership 3 Session 2
    12
    Semester 4 - Spring (Tuition: $1,840 Books: $270-$380)
    Course # Course Title Credits Session
    10-196-304 Board Relations and Volunteer Management 3 Session 1
    10-196-306 Non-profit Branding and Marketing 3 Session 1
    10-102-129 Human Resources Management 3 Session 2
    10-804-123 Math with Business Applications 3 Session 2
    12
    Semester 5 - Summer (Tuition: $920 Books: $110-$180)
    Course # Course Title Credits Session
    10-801-195 Written Communication 3
    10-196-307 Non-profit Revenue Generation 1 3
    6
    Semester 6 - Fall (Tuition: $1,840)
    Course # Course Title Credits Session
    10-196-308 Community & Social Services in Nonprofits 3 Session 1
    10-196-309 Non-profit Revenue Generation 2 3 Session 1
    10-196-216 Leading Change 3 Session 2
    10-196-310 Non-profit Leadership Career Experience 3 Session 2
    12
    Total Credits: 60
    Estimated Total Tuition*: $9,200

    * These costs reflect the in-state rates

    Cost of Attendance (COA) 24-25

    Cost of Attendance (COA) is a total of all the usual expenses of being a student. The COA sets the maximum amount of financial aid a student can receive.

    Category Amount
    Tuition and Fees $4,820
    Living Expenses (Housing and Food) $9,148
    Books and Supplies $1,466
    Personal Expenses $3,608
    Transportation $4,018
    Charger Tech 360 Fee $600
    Loan Fees $84
    Yearly Total (Living Away from Home) $23,744
    1 Semester Total (Living Away from Home) $11,872

    Based on Wisconsin Residents.

    Approximate school costs are for a full-time (12 credit) student over a semester span of 17 weeks.

    Fees are legislated by the Wisconsin Technical College System Board.

    These costs are estimates and are subject to change without notice.

  • Requirements

  • Admission and Program Requirements

    • Submit Application
    • To make sure your classes are the right fit, we consider any previous college credit you've earned, Accuplacer or ACT scores, high school GPA, or an assessment at your registration session. Submit High School Transcripts, College Transcripts, and Test Scores to: Southwest Tech, Attn: Admissions, 1800 Bronson Blvd, Fennimore, WI 53809
    • Admissions Meeting: After applying and submitting transcripts, work with your advisor to begin or continue your student success plan to talk about your career interests and goals, develop a plan for paying for college, learn about various funding options, create an academic map, and discuss supports and services. Schedule an admissions meeting by clicking "Make an appointment" with your program advisor.
    • Submit High School Transcripts, College Transcripts, and Test Scores to: Southwest Tech (email admissions@swtc.edu, or mail to Attn: Admissions, 1800 Bronson Blvd, Fennimore, WI 53809)

    Requirements for Online Students

    Chromebooks are not compatible with some testing features within Schoology (our Learning Management System). Southwest Tech recommends not to use Chromebooks for classes.

    • Cable/broadband/DSL internet with a minimum speed of 1.5Mbps. You can test your local internet speed at www.speedtest.net. Run this test from the location you will be working from.

      Higher bandwidth and speed will greatly assist you in your online learning environment, so where possible, a faster internet speed is recommended. Cable internet tend to be faster than DSL or 4G wireless, although DSL or 4G wireless may also work depending on other factors. Your computer, other software (such as anti spyware), other users on the system, and system configurations can all influence your ultimate line speed. Many instructors use videos as a part of their instruction, as well as synchronous meeting times (Skype, Adobe Connect, etc). Having an acceptable internet connection speed will be important to your success.

    • Convenient access to a computer that has one of the following current versions of Internet Browsers:
      • Microsoft Internet Explorer
      • Mozilla Firefox
      • Google Chrome
      • Safari
      Call 608.822.2302 for verification of other browsers.
    • An active e-mail account (all Southwest Tech students are issued a free email account)
    • Word processing software (Microsoft Word is the recommended word processing software at Southwest Wisconsin Technical College). Free Microsoft Office software is available to all Southwest Tech students at https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/education/products/office
    • Availability of 10-15 hours per week for each 3-credit course
    • Self-motivation and self-discipline

    Helpful Academic Background

    • English/Communications
    • Business Education
    • Social Studies
    • Technical Education

    Program Fees

    • This program is eligible for Financial Aid.
    • Estimated cost for each semester can be found under the Curriculum tab. Please note that costs are approximate and are based on the current academic year.
    • Please discuss additional fee questions with the program advisor or instructor.
  • Outcomes

  • Program Outcomes

    Nonprofit Leadership graduates will be able to:

    • Examine current trends in nonprofits
    • Assess organizational goals and missions
    • Develop organizational strategic plans
    • Cultivate strategic partnerships across government, community and nonprofit sectors
    • Create fundraising strategies and assess financial strength of nonprofit organizations
    • Manage healthy and professional employee, board and volunteer relations
  • Career Opportunities

  • Southwest Tech's Career Connections Center offers Services to assist students looking for job placement.

  • Transfers
  • Prior Learning

  • Credit for Prior Learning

    Experience Pays! You've Been There... You've Done That... Let's See If You Can Get Credit For It!

    Credit for prior learning gives you opportunities to earn credit for college-level knowledge that you have already acquired. This may be the result of work or volunteer experiences, certifications, apprenticeships, military training, extensive self-instruction, or professional development. Credit for Prior Learning affords you the opportunity to accelerate the completion of your educational goals.

    For more information on Credit for Prior Learning see our Credit for Prior Learning page.

    At any time, you may Request Credit for Prior Learning.

    Nonprofit Leadership Courses that may have Credit for Prior Learning options:

    Course # Course Title
    Challenge Exam
    (Demonstration)
    Challenge Exam
    (Standard)
    CLEP
    Credential
    Portfolio
    10-102-129Human Resources ManagementYes
    PHR (Professional in Human Resources), SPHR (Senior Professional in Human Resources)
    10-102-130Management PrinciplesYes
    CLEP Test - Principles of Management
    10-801-136English Composition 1Yes
    CLEP Test - College Composition
    10-801-196Oral/Interpersonal CommunicationYes
    10-804-123Math with Business ApplicationsYes
    10-809-195EconomicsYes
    CLEP Test - Principles of Macroeconomics