Nonprofit Sector, P.B.C.

The Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in the Nonprofit Sector offered by the Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Public Health is designed for college graduates who wish to understand the role and operation of nonprofit organizations. The certificate is awarded by UMBC and has been approved by the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC).

The four courses in the certificate program provide an understanding of the roles of nonprofit organizations in American society, their methods of operation, research methods used to evaluate nonprofit programs, and substantive areas in which many nonprofits provide services.

Courses are offered at 4:30-7:00 pm or 7:10-9:40 pm one day per week Monday through Thursday to accommodate students with full-time employment or other obligations.

The certificate if open to student with a bachelor’s degree in any undergraduate major. Courses may be applied to the Master of Arts program in Applied Sociology if admitted.

Required Courses

A total of four courses are required to complete the certificate program. A grade of a “B” or higher must be earned in the four required courses for the certificate. A prerequisite for all courses is admission to the certificate program or the M.A. program in Applied Sociology. Other prerequisites may apply for individual courses.

SOCY 681 - The Social and Institutional Roles of Nonprofit Organizations in American Society [3]
This course is offered in the fall semester.
SOCY 685 - Structure and Function of Nonprofit Organizations [3]
This course is offered in the spring semester.

Additional Course Requirements

One three-credit graduate course in social research methods or statistics (choose one):
SOCY 600 - Research Methodology [3]
SOCY 604 - Statistical Analysis [3]
SOCY 618 - SAS for Social Scientists [3]
SOCY 619 - Qualitative Methods in Social Research [3]
One three-credit graduate course in a substantive area of sociology. All sociology graduate courses in substantive areas of sociology qualify.