Application deadline
Credits and costs
Prepare Yourself for a Career in Fundraising or Advancement
Are you an upper-level undergraduate student who wants to do meaningful work after graduation? Do you have the passion required to further an important cause, such as finding a cure for cancer, improving the lives of women, or ensuring equal access to education? Penn State knows that nonprofits and educational institutions increasingly rely on donor support to fund the programs and projects that change lives. With new fundraising positions being created and many fundraisers and donor and alumni relations professionals retiring, the job market is strong. Earning a Penn State Undergraduate Certificate in Fundraising and Advancement online can help you move into nonprofit fundraising or advancement, no matter what your major.
Why Earn a Certificate in Fundraising and Advancement through Penn State World Campus?
As a student in this program, you will have opportunity to learn about:
- the nonprofit sector, including small and large nonprofits and colleges and universities
- a wide array of roles available to professionals working in fundraising and advancement
- how to develop your skills and abilities and which roles might be a fit for you
This program will give you the opportunity to study with well-respected faculty from Penn State’s College of the Liberal Arts, one of the world's premier liberal arts institutions. The online format of this program provided by Penn State World Campus allows you to practice many of the skills needed to succeed as a fundraising professional, studying with experienced faculty in a highly focused curriculum delivered via a flexible, convenient online format.
Courses
You can complete the required course work for the Undergraduate Certificate in Fundraising and Advancement in two to four semesters. The certificate curriculum consists of 6 credits of required courses and a list of courses you may select from to complete the other 6 credits. You may have already taken one or more of these courses, and if so, they may be counted toward the certificate.
Prescribed Courses (6 credits)
Additional Courses (select 6 credits)
Costs and Financial Aid
Undergraduate Tuition
Undergraduate tuition is calculated based on the number of credits for which you register and the number of total credits you have accrued at or transferred to Penn State. Tuition is due shortly after each semester begins and rates are assessed every semester of enrollment.
| How many credits do you plan to take per semester? | If you have 59 or fewer credits | If you have 60 or more credits |
|---|---|---|
| 11 or fewer | $620 per credit | $664 per credit |
| 12 or more | $7,527 per semester | $8,125 per semester |
Financial Aid and Military Benefits
Some students may qualify for financial aid. Take the time to research financial aid, scholarships, and payment options as you prepare to apply. Military service members, veterans, and their spouses or dependents should explore these potential military education benefits and financial aid opportunities, as well.
Paying for Your Certificate
Students pursuing a certificate are considered "nondegree," a status that is not eligible for federal student aid, including the Federal Direct Stafford Loan program. A private alternative loan may be an option to consider.
Additionally, Penn State offers many ways to pay for your education, including an installment plan and third-party payments. Penn State World Campus also offers an Employer Reimbursement and Tuition Deferment Plan. Learn more about the options for paying for your education.
Students pursuing a degree and meeting all other eligibility requirements may qualify for financial aid.
How to Apply
Deadlines and Important Dates
All supporting materials should be sent following the submission of your application.
For current and future course registration deadlines, visit the Registrar's website to view the academic calendar by semester.
Admissions Help
If you have questions about the admissions process, contact [email protected].
Admission Requirements
To apply for this program, you must be a high school graduate or have completed your GED.
If you are already enrolled in a Penn State World Campus degree program, you can complete this certificate along with your degree program.
If you are not enrolled in a World Campus degree program, you may still pursue this certificate as a nondegree student. Students pursuing a stand-alone certificate are classified as nondegree. (Nondegree students do receive full college credit for all courses taken in nondegree status; however, financial aid is not available to nondegree students.)
Technical Requirements
Review the technical requirements for this program.
Get the resources you need to make informed decisions about your education. Request information on this program and other programs of interest by completing this form.
Start or Advance Your Career
Start or Advance Your Career
You can use the knowledge gained from this program and the support of Penn State career resources to pursue careers in a variety of fields, depending on your goals.
Contact Us
For more information about the Undergraduate Certificate in Fundraising and Advancement, offered in partnership with the Penn State College of the Liberal Arts, please contact:
Bryan McDonald
0402 Weaver Building
University Park, PA
Phone: (814)863-8949
Email: [email protected]
Faculty
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Bryan McDonald
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DegreePh.D., Social Ecology, University of California, Irvine
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DegreeM.A., Political Science, Virginia Tech
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DegreeB.A., English, Virginia Tech
Dr. Bryan McDonald is the director of interdisciplinary programs in the College of the Liberal Arts and an associate professor of history. Dr. McDonald is a historian of modern America with research and teaching interests in food security and food systems. He is currently working on a book project that explores the history of food as a security issue in modern America. He is the author of Food Power: The Rise and Fall of the Postwar American Food System (Oxford University Press, 2017) and Food Security (Polity Press, 2010) and the co-editor of Global Environmental Change and Human Security (MIT Press, 2009) and Landmines and Human Security: International Politics and War’s Hidden Legacy (SUNY Press, 2004). He has published more than 25 articles, book chapters, reviews, and policy documents.
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Tycely Williams
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DegreeM.A., Leadership, Georgetown University
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DegreeB.A., Communication with minor in Journalism, Wake Forest University
Tycely Williams is a certified fundraising executive who has led teams that have raised and managed more than $580 million. She is the chief development officer at The Bipartisan Policy Center in Washington, D.C. In her career of more than 20 years, she has held C-Suite leadership positions at America’s Promise Alliance, The American Red Cross, and YWCA USA. She has extensive experience governing organizations and is an award-winning philanthropic thought leader with features in numerous publications, including The Chronicle of Philanthropy, The L.A. Times, The Nonprofit Times, and The Washington Post.
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