Department of Family Studies and Community Development

Certification Requirements

To achieve certified nonprofit professional (CNP) status from the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance, a student must

• earn a baccalaureate degree;
• complete coursework covering seventeen nonprofit competencies;
• complete at least 300 internship hours in nonprofit institutions;
• engage in leadership and community service activities, including participation in the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance student group;
• attend at least one Alliance Management/Leadership Institute.

Academic Requirements

Currently, the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance program is open to family and human services majors who are in the Leadership in the Nonprofit Sector Track, Services to Children and Youth Track, and Human Services Track. It is also open to students who are minoring in family studies

• Degree Requirements

Nonprofit Leadership Alliance Competencies
The student must demonstrate proficiency in the following competence areas:

1. Board/Committee Development
2. Community Outreach/Marketing and Public Relations
3. Diversity Awareness
4. Ethics and Values
5. Fundraising Principles and Practices
6. Historical and Philosophical Foundations
7. Information Management and Technology
8. Nonprofit Accounting and Financial Management
9. Nonprofit Management
10. Program Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation
11. Risk Management and Legal Issues
12. Volunteer Management
13. Youth and Adult Development
14. Career Development and Exploration
15. Communication Skills
16. Employability Skills
17. Personal Attributes

• Read more about the Competencies

Nonprofit Leadership Alliance Internships

All family and human services majors are required to complete an internship as part of their academic preparation. Students interested in Nonprofit Leadership Alliance certification will choose their internship sites from a specific list.

• Internship and Field Placement Sites

Participation in the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance student group and attendance at an Alliance Management/Leadership Institute are also required for certification.

• Student Organizations
• Apply for Membership in the TU Student Association of the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance

For more information or to become part of the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance program at Towson University, please contact the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance Campus Executive Director:

Sharon D. Jones-Eversley, DrPH
Email: sjoneseversley@towson.edu
Phone Number: 410-704-2470

Department of Family Studies and Community Development
College of Liberal Arts Building, Suite 2210
Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Phone: 410-704-5851
Fax: 410-704-3612
E-mail: fmst@towson.edu