Certificate in Community-Based Program Management
Hours: 12 On-Campus Online
About
The Certificate in Community-Based Program Management at Fort Hays State University provides students with the administrative and leadership skills necessary to manage non-profit organizations and community-based programs. The curriculum focuses on objective analysis of societal challenges, fiscal management through grant writing, and professional leadership development to prepare graduates for the workforce.
Combining theoretical insight with practical skills, this certificate prepares students to promote positive change within their communities. It is ideal for those committed to strengthening communities and eager to deepen their understanding of complex systemic challenges.
Why pursue a Certificate in Community-Based Program Management at Fort Hays State University?
The Certificate in Community-Based Program Management at Fort Hays State University offers an interdisciplinary approach that draws from criminal justice, leadership, and sociology to prepare students for effective service in community and nonprofit settings. Designed for students who are committed to strengthening communities through structured, evidence-informed initiatives, the certificate equips learners with the administrative, analytical, and leadership skills necessary to manage community-based organizations and programs. Its flexible structure allows students to integrate the certificate seamlessly with their existing majors, making it accessible to a wide range of academic and professional interests.
What distinguishes this certificate is its emphasis on practical application and workforce readiness. Students develop competencies in objective analysis of societal challenges, fiscal management through grant writing and budgeting, and professional leadership development. Opportunities for internships and applied research provide meaningful experiential learning that bridges theory and practice.
Who is this program for?
The Certificate in Community-Based Program Management is designed for students who are interested in developing the leadership, administrative, and analytical skills necessary to effectively manage nonprofit organizations and community-based initiatives. The program is flexible and accessible, allowing it to integrate seamlessly with a variety of academic majors. It is particularly well suited for:
- Students pursuing majors in criminal justice, sociology, business, leadership, political science, or related fields who wish to strengthen their administrative and program management competencies
- Individuals interested in careers in nonprofit leadership, community-based organizations, government agencies, or grant-funded programs
- Students seeking practical skills in grant writing along with the interpersonal and communication skills necessary to effectively collaborate with diverse stakeholders, lead teams, and build strong community partnerships
- Those who want to develop professional leadership skills grounded in objective analysis of societal challenges
- Individuals preparing for roles that require coordination of services, resource management, and community engagement initiatives
This certificate is ideal for students who want to complement their primary field of study with applied skills that enhance workforce readiness and long-term career advancement in community-focused professions.
Real-World Applications
This certificate provides students with the knowledge and skills to effectively engage with complex community and organizational challenges. By integrating theoretical coursework with practical experience, students learn to identify, analyze, and respond to issues affecting programs, agencies, and the populations they serve. The certificate prepares them for meaningful careers in nonprofit leadership, community-based organizations, and public service.
Through internships and applied research projects, students translate classroom learning into real-world practice, gaining valuable hands-on experience. This emphasis on practical application strengthens their problem-solving, leadership, and analytical skills, equipping them to manage programs effectively and contribute to sustainable, positive outcomes within their communities.
Stay Ahead of the Curve
Fort Hays State University integrates current research and emerging trends into the curriculum, enabling students to explore contemporary community and organizational challenges as well as innovative strategies for effective program management. This approach prepares them to navigate and contribute to the evolving landscape of nonprofit leadership and community-based initiatives.
The curriculum is continuously updated to reflect best practices in administration, criminal justice, community-based initiatives, and professional leadership development. By staying informed on current advancements and workforce expectations, students gain relevant, real-world knowledge that positions them to lead impactful programs and serve their communities effectively.
Hands-on Activities
The Certificate in Community-Based Program Management offers numerous hands-on opportunities, including internships and research projects. These experiences enable students to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world settings, gaining valuable skills and insights.
Additional practical experience is gained through field courses and involvement in community-based initiatives. These activities deepen students’ understanding of key issues and prepare them for impactful careers in advocacy, non-profit organizations, and the public sector. With its strong focus on experiential learning, the certificate equips students to create meaningful change in their communities.
What You Will Learn
- Understand complex community and organizational challenges
- Apply evidence-informed strategies to strengthen community-based programs
- Analyze structural and socioeconomic factors that affect program delivery and outcomes
- Develop leadership and administrative skills for nonprofit and public service settings
- Integrate interdisciplinary perspectives to design, manage, and sustain effective initiatives
How You Will Learn
- Theoretical and practical integration
- Experiential learning opportunities
- Elective flexibility with majors
- Field courses and internships
- Interdisciplinary coursework
The Certificate in Community-Based Program Management requires 12 credit hours and provides a focused study of identifying and responding to areas of need within communities. The curriculum explores topics such as organizational leadership, criminal justice and community-based initiatives, and the analysis of structural factors that influence program effectiveness.
CRJ 600 Criminal Justice Internship
This experience involves a minimum of 150 contact hours in a position that affords the student the opportunity to learn practical applications in a law enforcement, correctional, court services, the legal field, advocacy, and other type of criminal justice and community-based setting.
LDRS 640 Principles of Civic Leadership
This course explores civic leadership principles and components, focusing on how individuals can take responsibility, organize, and build coalitions to effect social change within communities and society.
SOC 470 Grant Writing
This course teaches students to craft compelling grant proposals and enhance each part for maximum impact. It covers grant writing as a valuable skill for career advancement or volunteer work with community organizations, schools, and local services.
Discover the full Certificate in Community-Based Program Management course listing by visiting the Academic Catalog.
Students who complete this certificate gain access to diverse career opportunities that allow them to make a meaningful impact across various professional settings. The certificate equips them with the skills and knowledge needed for rewarding careers in advocacy, non-profit organizations, and the public sector.
Non-Profit and Advocacy Organizations
Students can pursue roles developing social programs and influencing public policy. Internships and research projects provide practical experience, preparing them for leadership positions in these organizations.
Government and Public Sector
Students can pursue roles such as policy advisors, human rights officers, or public affairs specialists. They work within government agencies to develop policies that promote justice, analyze issues, and engage communities to drive positive change.
Education and Outreach
Students can work in schools and community-based organizations focused on community engagement, program development, and public education initiatives. They develop curricula, coordinate events, and support outreach efforts, using interdisciplinary training to inform, engage, and strengthen the communities they serve.
Research and Analysis
Students can work in think tanks, research institutions, or government agencies, researching issues across communities, analyzing data, and proposing evidence-based solutions. The certificate’s focus on research methods equips students to provide valuable insights into complex community challenges.
Community Development and Urban Planning
Students can work on local projects that address community needs by collaborating with community organizations, government agencies, and nonprofit partners. The certificate’s practical skill development and interdisciplinary foundation prepare graduates for impactful roles supporting effective program implementation, organizational leadership, and community engagement initiatives.
The Best Value in Higher Education Anywhere
Fort Hays State University prides itself on quality education at an affordable price. Students in this program can expect to pay approximately $2,444.76* (on-campus) or $3,180.60* (online) per semester.
*Estimated cost based on 12 credit hours at the Undergrad resident/regional tuition rate ($203.73/credit hour) for on-campus courses, or the FHSU Online Undergrad tuition rate (265.05/credit hour) for online courses. Actual price may vary depending on course load and location. Tuition and Fees are subject to change as they are approved by the Kansas Board of Regents each year.
Ready for the next step?
Our faculty would be excited to talk to you about how our department programs can help you explore your interests and prepare you for a variety of rewarding careers.
Related Programs
Fort Hays State University offers several related programs that complement the Certificate in Community-Based Program Management, providing students with expanded opportunities to deepen their interests in community-based program management and advocacy. These programs include:
- B.A./B.S. in Criminal Justice
- Certificate in Victim Advocacy
- B.A./B.S. in Sociology
- Minor in Leadership Studies
The certificate aims to equip students to evaluate contemporary social issues, develop advocacy and policy skills, analyze socioeconomic disparities, and apply interdisciplinary perspectives to address social justice issues effectively.
The certificate complements various majors by allowing students to fulfill the requirements through elective courses within their primary field of study. This flexibility ensures students can enhance their understanding of community-based program management without additional coursework outside their degree program.
The certificate includes internships and research projects, particularly with the Center for Empowering Victims of Gender-based Violence. These hands-on activities provide practical experience and help students apply theoretical knowledge in real-world settings.
Online students can access various support development, including academic advising, career development, technical support, and the university's online library resources. These development ensure that online students receive the same support as their on-campus counterparts.
The certificate combines theoretical coursework with practical experiences like internships and research projects. This combination helps students develop the skills needed to work effectively in advocacy and non-profit organizations, including policy development, community engagement, and analysis of social justice issues.
Information about the School of Criminal Justice, Leadership and Sociology
The School of Criminal Justice, Leadership and Sociology at FHSU offers a diverse range of programs designed to prepare students for meaningful and impactful careers in law enforcement, leadership, and the social sciences. Through an integrated, interdisciplinary approach, students develop critical skills that equip them to address complex societal challenges and become effective leaders and professionals.
The Criminal Justice programs provide both online and on-campus options, focusing on areas such as law enforcement, corrections, and the legal system, with a strong emphasis on leadership, ethics, and integrity. Leadership programs cultivate essential organizational and interpersonal skills through interactive coursework and hands-on internships, supported by initiatives like the Leadership Studies Association and the VALUE program. Sociology programs explore human behavior, social structures, and community issues, encouraging analytical thinking and research-based problem-solving.
Together, these programs create a robust and collaborative educational environment that promotes cross-disciplinary learning. Students are empowered to lead, innovate, and contribute meaningfully to their communities and the broader society. Whether focused on justice, leadership, or social change, students in the School of Criminal Justice, Leadership and Sociology gain the knowledge and experience needed to make a lasting impact.
While earning a degree remains the primary focus, college life offers much more than classroom learning. Students are encouraged to participate in extracurricular activities that foster leadership skills, deepen their understanding of their chosen careers, and provide opportunities to make a positive impact in their communities.
- Criminal Justice Club: Open to students majoring, minoring, or pursuing a certificate in Criminal Justice, as well as those majoring in Criminalistics, the Criminal Justice Club offers career-focused opportunities for service, networking, and social engagement. The club meets weekly during the academic year, with activities that vary each semester based on student interests.
- Delta Tau Omega: Students in the Criminal Justice Club have an opportunity to join the FHSU chapter of the American Criminal Justice Association, Delta Tau Omega. Membership in this organization allows students to participate in regional and national conferences, where they can engage in a variety of competitions, including written exams, mock crime scene investigations, physical agility tests, scholarly research poster presentations, and national research paper and scholarship contests. To remain active in the organization, students must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA in their criminal justice coursework.
- Sociology Club: Open to all students and majors, the Sociology Club promotes research on topics aimed at improving the community. The club actively collaborates with both the FHSU campus community and residents of Hays, hosting student engagement events and participating in a variety of community service projects. Its mission is to foster a deeper interest in sociology while highlighting the discipline’s importance in understanding society and enhancing the human condition.
- Alpha Kappa Delta: Sociology majors may be eligible for membership in Alpha Kappa Delta, the honor society for sociology. This organization promotes academic excellence and fosters scholarship and fellowship among undergraduate and graduate students. To qualify for membership, students must have junior standing, a minimum 3.0 GPA in sociology, and at least 12 completed credit hours in sociology coursework.
- Leadership Studies Association: The Leadership Studies Association provides students with opportunities to develop their leadership skills by building meaningful relationships, engaging in skill-building activities, and applying leadership in real-world settings. The organization encourages student growth through a variety of events and activities designed to foster personal and professional development.
Criminal Justice Centers
- National De-escalation Training Center:
In August 2020, Fort Hays State University’s Criminal Justice Programs and University Police partnered with the National De-escalation Training Center (NDTC) to become the Region 2 Central Region Training Center. As a designated regional center, FHSU offers the only Level 3 de-escalation training currently available in the United States.
- Level 1 training includes traditional de-escalation techniques grounded in procedural justice.
- Level 2 provides basic crisis intervention strategies.
- Level 3 enhances both traditional de-escalation and crisis intervention methods by incorporating rapid personality identification.
The NDTC De-escalation: Principles & Practice course is an evidence-based program that has been shown to increase officer confidence in applying de-escalation techniques when working with the public.
FHSU facilitates all three of NDTC’s training modalities, including an 8-hour online training, a two-day, in-person training, and a comprehensive 32- to 40-hour train-the-trainer program. Supported by substantial federal funding, these training opportunities are available to agencies at little to no cost. In addition, scholarships may be available to help agencies enroll officers in the online course.
NDTC training is approved by the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Community-Oriented Policing Services (COPS), and certified by the International Association of Directors of Law Enforcement Standards and Training (IADLEST).
- Center for Empowering Victims of Gender-based Violence:
Located within the Criminal Justice Programs at Fort Hays State University, the Center for Empowering Victims of Gender-Based Violence functions as a regional hub for collaborative research and community service. Its mission is to alleviate the barriers faced by survivors, promote economic independence, and empower survivors to embrace new opportunities with freedom and confidence.
The Center commits to providing sustainable support aimed at helping survivors break the cycle of violence and transform from victims/survivors into social entrepreneurs.
Focusing on gender-based violence in rural areas, the Center facilitates cross-disciplinary research that explores its causes and effective control measures. It leads collaborative networks of researchers committed to applying evidence-based approaches and identifying best practices to address gender-based violence within rural communities.
Additionally, the Center fosters academic-community partnerships through service-learning, research, assessment, education, and policy development, all designed to enhance the well-being and resilience of rural populations.
- VALUE Program:
The Voss Advanced Leadership Undergraduate Experience (VALUE) is a year-long program designed to cultivate promising undergraduates into effective agents of change. It offers a combination of curricular and co-curricular experiences across three specialized tracks: corporate leadership, civic/nonprofit leadership, and scholarship/leadership research.
- CNN Heroes Advisory Board:
The Sociology Programs focus on creating real-world impact through projects aimed at supporting those in need. A key initiative involves collaboration with CNN Heroes, individuals nationally recognized for their outstanding contributions to nonprofit organizations. The CNN Heroes Advisory Board, made up of these distinguished leaders, offers students valuable guidance and insights drawn from their successful experiences in the nonprofit sector.