How to Apply

Application Checklist

Use this checklist to assist with completing your application. Those pursuing certificates can apply to begin in spring or fall term.

Graduate School application

An application to the Graduate School is required of all Humphrey School applicants. Many of the requirements below may be uploaded to your Graduate School application and submitted together. You must also submit the additional Humphrey School section located in the Graduate School application. Note the Graduate School application has a $75 application for domestic students, and $95 for international students.

Personal Statement

In 500 words or less, double spaced, discuss your educational and professional experiences and goals. Describe what has contributed to your interest in the nonprofit management certificate program, discuss what you plan to be doing in your career in the next two to five years, discuss a current issue in nonprofit management that is of particular interest to you, and identify your experience in working with individuals and/or groups who are culturally or racially different than you. Upload this statement into “Statement #1” in the applicant’s statement section of the Graduate School application. The statement is required of all Humphrey School applicants.

Resume or CV

Please include awards and leadership, service, or volunteer activities in your resume. Do not complete the “Awards and Activities” section including the “Honors and Awards” statement; include this information in your resume. Upload your resume into the “Resume or CV” section of the Graduate School application. The resume is required of all Humphrey School applicants.

Transcripts

Unofficial transcripts or academic records of all of your post secondary institutions should be uploaded directly to the online application. Please do not mail in paper copies of your transcripts, there is no need for official transcripts or academic records for initial review. Transcripts are required of all Humphrey School applicants.

If you are admitted, the University will then request official copies of this material.

TOEFL scores

The TOEFL test is required for non-native English speakers except those who will have completed 24 quarter/16 semester credits (within the past 24 months) in residence at a recognized institution of higher learning in the United States before entering the University of Minnesota. A minimum score of 600 (paper test), 250 (computer test), or 100 (internet test) is required. An IELTS score of 7.0 or higher is also acceptable. The school code for the University of Minnesota is RA 6874; the program code is 94. An official score report must be received directly from the Educational Testing Service (ETS) before an official admissions notification will be made. You may upload your personal copy from ETS into the additional materials section of the Graduate School online application to facilitate initial review of your application. English competency is required of all Humphrey School applicants.      

Prerequisites

There are prerequisites for each of our degree programs. If you have inadequate preparation in these prerequisites but are otherwise qualified for admission, you will still be considered at the discretion of the faculty admissions committee. However, you will be required to take the relevant courses before beginning the program.

Nonprofit Experience Form

The Nonprofit Management Experience statement is required for all Nonprofit Management Certificate Applicants and should be uploaded into “Description of Research or Work Experience” in the Program Supplementary Information section of the Graduate School application. The statement must document two or more years of paid or unpaid experience in a nonprofit organization in one or more of the following areas: managing a budget, supervising staff or volunteers, developing a program (implementation and evaluation), fundraising, grant writing, regular Board participation, and developing interagency collaboratives. For each position, please include:

1.         Position Title
2.         Name of Agency and contact information
3.         Supervisor’s Name and Title*
4.         Dates of the position and number of hours worked per week
5.         Briefly describe your principal duties and responsibilities
6.         Describe the constituencies or client population(s) who benefitted from your work

*Note: We reserve the right to contact this person for verification of your experience.

Special Considerations:

Extenuating circumstances, if applicable (this can be used to explain prior performance that was below what you expect to achieve in graduate school), uploaded into “Extenuating Circumstances” section of the Graduate School application.