Course Description

Lead with confidence by mastering the strategies, skills, and tools that drive social impact

The Nonprofit Institute at the University of San Diego School of Leadership and Education Sciences Social Impact
Leadership Certificate equips nonprofit professionals, emerging leaders, social impact professionals, and community
changemakers with the practical skills and strategic insight to lead with purpose and impact. Designed for today's
evolving nonprofit and social sector landscape, this professional certificate prepares nonprofit leaders to navigate real
organizational challenges in strategy, leadership, governance, funding, and impact into an engaging and applied
learning experience.

The program goes beyond traditional nonprofit leadership certificates by combining practical learning with personalized
support including 1:1 coaching sessions focused on your leadership growth, organizational priorities and real-world
challenges.

Course Details

Number of Units: 1.0 graduate level extension credit in semester hours

Who Should Attend: This course is ideal for emerging and executive leaders, nonprofit professionals, board members and volunteers, and professionals seeking purpose-driven leadership skills

Refund Policy: To receive a refund, students need to drop the course through the MyPCE@USD student account portal before midnight (11:59PT) on the third day of the course. The refund of the course fee will be returned less a processing fee of 10% of the course tuition. No refunds will be issued after this deadline.

Course Options

Course Date Units Price

What You Will Learn

  • Immediate Workplace Application: Provides practical frameworks such as board gap assessments and funding snapshots that you can immediately apply to resolve real organizational challenges
  • Preparation for Executive and Board Roles: Tailored to help leaders, professionals, and volunteers transition into executive leadership and board governance positions
  • Integration of Innovation and AI: Equips you to use innovation and AI as strategic partners to improve your day-to-day decision-making, communication, and idea development
  • Community-Based Sector Networking: Connects you with an in-person cohort of active nonprofit leaders, social impact professionals, and community changemakers to strengthen community networks
  • Personalized Professional Coaching: Includes a customized, 1:1 coaching session focused on your specific leadership growth and breaking through professional barriers

Instructors

Professional development courses offered by the University of San Diego’s Division of Professional & Continuing Education are taught by faculty that possess a depth and breadth of academic and real-world professional experience.

Why USD?

The Professional and Continuing Education program nurtures key partnerships on the local, national, and international level. The goal is to better serve working professionals who seek to enhance or build their careers and help achieve their highest value and potential. Contact us today to learn more.

Informative Stats and Facts

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Learning Method Information

Courses offer a convenient, yet rigorous style of learning that allows you to structure your education to suit your schedule while keeping you on pace toward achieving your educational goals.