Certificate in Community-Based Program Management
Hours: 12 On-Campus Online
About
The Certificate in Community-Based Program Management at Fort Hays State University helps students develop the skills needed to lead and manage nonprofit organizations and community-based efforts. Students learn to understand community challenges, secure funding through grant writing, and develop strong leadership skills to prepare for careers in the field.
By combining knowledge with practical skills, the certificate prepares students to make a positive difference in their communities. It is well-suited for individuals who want to support community growth and gain a clearer understanding of the complex challenges that impact people and organizations.
Why pursue a Certificate in Community-Based Program Management at Fort Hays State University?
The Certificate in Community-Based Program Management helps students strengthen their career potential by building in-demand skills that apply across many fields. It is especially valuable for those interested in nonprofit, public service, or community-focused work.
Students develop practical skills in leadership, analysis, and administration, helping them stand out in the job market and prepare for greater professional responsibility. The certificate is designed to fit alongside existing majors, making it easy to enhance career readiness while completing their degree on schedule.
With added hands-on learning opportunities, students gain real-world experience that supports meaningful career growth in community-based settings.
Who is this program for?
This certificate is designed to meet the needs of students interested in building leadership, administrative, and analytical skills for work in nonprofit and community-based settings. It is flexible and can be integrated with a variety of academic majors. It is ideal for:
- Students in criminal justice, sociology, business, leadership, political science, or related fields seeking to strengthen management and administrative skills
- Individuals interested in careers in nonprofit organizations, community agencies, government, or grant-funded initiatives
- Students looking to develop practical skills in grant writing, communication, and team leadership
- Those interested in understanding and addressing community and societal challenges
- Individuals preparing for roles involving service coordination, resource management, and community engagement
Real-World Applications
This certificate prepares students to engage effectively with real-world community and organizational challenges. By combining classroom learning with practical experience, students develop the ability to identify issues, analyze needs, and respond to the demands of programs, agencies, and the populations they serve.
Through internships and applied learning opportunities, students gain hands-on experience that reinforces their problem-solving, leadership, and decision-making skills. This practical focus helps them build confidence and prepares them to manage initiatives and contribute to meaningful, lasting outcomes in community and nonprofit settings.
Stay Ahead of the Curve
Fort Hays State University incorporates current research and emerging trends into the certificate coursework, allowing students to explore today’s community and organizational challenges alongside effective, modern management strategies. This approach helps students stay informed and prepared to contribute to a rapidly changing nonprofit and community-based environment.
The curriculum is regularly updated to reflect industry best practices in administration, criminal justice, and leadership development. Students gain relevant, up-to-date knowledge that aligns with workforce expectations, positioning them to lead initiatives effectively and make a meaningful impact in their communities.
Hands-on Activities
The Certificate in Community-Based Program Management emphasizes hands-on learning through internships, research projects, and field-based experiences. These opportunities allow students to apply classroom concepts in real-world settings and develop practical skills that are directly relevant to their future careers.
By engaging in community-based initiatives, students gain a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by organizations and the populations they serve. These experiences strengthen their ability to think critically, communicate effectively, and contribute to meaningful work in nonprofit, advocacy, and public sector roles.
What You Will Learn
- Understand community and organizational challenges
- Apply evidence-informed strategies to strengthen community efforts
- Analyze social and economic factors affecting program outcomes
- Develop leadership and management skills
- Use interdisciplinary approaches to support 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 offers focused study on identifying and addressing community needs. The curriculum covers topics such as organizational leadership, criminal justice, community-based efforts, and the social and structural factors that influence program success.
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 in 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 advisor, human rights officer, or public affairs specialist. They work within government agencies to develop policies that promote justice, analyze issues, and engage communities to drive positive changes.
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.
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 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.
- Certificate
- On-Campus
- Online
