Certificate in Grant Writing and Program Evaluation
Hours: 9 Online
About
The Certificate in Grant Writing and Program Evaluation at Fort Hays State University is a 9-credit certificate designed to equip students with essential skills for securing funding across various organizations. As one of the few undergraduate certificates in the nation focused on grant proposal writing and program evaluation, it provides students with the tools to identify funding opportunities from both government and private sources, develop detailed grant proposals, and conduct comprehensive program evaluations.
For graduate students, the certificate is also available for graduate credit, though additional coursework is required. Grants play a pivotal role in supplementing funding for sectors such as education, healthcare, law enforcement, and social services. This certificate prepares students to meet the growing demand for skilled grant writers in the nonprofit sector and beyond. Whether pursuing a career in grant writing or looking to enhance their qualifications for a broader range of professional opportunities, this certificate offers a significant advantage in the job market.
Why pursue a Certificate in Grant Writing and Program Evaluation at Fort Hays State University?
The Certificate in Grant Writing and Program Evaluation is recognized for its comprehensive curriculum and practical emphasis. Offered at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, the program provides flexibility to accommodate learners at different stages of their academic and professional development.
Combining theoretical instruction with hands-on experience, the certificate equips students with a solid understanding of core concepts while fostering practical skills that are immediately applicable in real-world settings. Faculty members remain current with industry trends and continuously integrate the latest developments into their instruction, ensuring that the program delivers a relevant and forward-thinking education.
Through this certificate, students gain access to experienced professionals, a supportive learning environment, and a highly marketable skill set valued across the nonprofit and social service sectors.
Who is this program for?
This certificate is ideal for individuals looking to enhance their professional skill set and make a meaningful impact through effective grant writing. Whether starting a career or seeking to expand existing expertise, this certificate offers valuable training and hands-on experience that directly supports career growth and development.
- Aspiring grant writers
- Nonprofit professionals
- Social service workers
- Community leaders
- Students seeking specialized skills
Real-World Applications
The Certificate in Grant Writing and Program Evaluation equips students with practical skills that can be immediately applied in the real world. Students complete hands-on projects, such as conducting needs assessments and grant proposals for actual organizations, gaining experience that prepares them to tackle professional challenges effectively.
The certificate emphasizes real-world experience through internships with nonprofits, schools, and other organizations. These opportunities provide valuable experience, often leading to job offers. Completing the certificate helps students build a strong portfolio and gain practical skills that set them apart in the job market.
Stay Ahead of the Curve
The curriculum is regularly updated to reflect the latest trends and advancements in grant writing and program evaluation. Fort Hays State University incorporates cutting-edge practices and emerging technologies, ensuring students meet current industry standards. Experienced faculty bring valuable insights and share the newest tools and strategies.
In the competitive grant writing field, staying current is essential as funders seek innovative, well-justified proposals. This certificate teaches the most up-to-date methods and technologies, preparing students to create compelling proposals and adapt to future industry changes.
Hands-on Activities
Hands-on learning is central to the Certificate in Grant Writing and Program Evaluation. The certificate offers experiential opportunities like interactive workshops, real-world case studies, and collaborative projects. Students participate in mock grant proposal reviews, providing and receiving constructive feedback to build confidence and improve their skills.
A key hands-on component of the certificate is the internship course, where students work with organizations to conduct needs assessments and develop grant proposals. This real-world experience allows them to apply classroom knowledge practically. Many students have their proposals funded, boosting their resumes and providing a strong sense of achievement. This practical training ensures graduates are skilled, experienced, and ready to make a meaningful career impact.
What You’ll Learn:
- Master grant proposal components
- Conduct needs assessments
- Design effective programs
- Create logic models
- Analyze evaluation data
How You’ll Learn:
- Interactive online courses
- Hands-on internship experience
- Real-world grant writing practice
- Faculty mentorship
- Collaborative projects
The certificate consists of three core courses that provide a strong foundation in the essential skills required for successful grant writing and program evaluation. These courses are designed to offer both theoretical knowledge and practical application, ensuring students are well-equipped to meet the demands of the field.
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.
SOC 671: Program Development and Evaluation
This course offers an in-depth exploration of topics from SOC 470, Grant Writing, including conducting needs assessments for local data, developing a social program using a 15-step process, and formally evaluating the program.
SOC 677: Internship in Sociology
This course offers practical experience in community organizations and social agencies for students in good academic standing, requiring systematic recording, reporting of work, and supplementary reading.
Discover the full Certificate in Grant Writing and Program Evaluation course listing by visiting the Academic Catalog.
Students who complete the Certificate in Grant Writing and Program Evaluation are well-positioned to pursue a variety of rewarding career paths. Each of these careers offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the community and support organizations in need of funding.
Full-time Grant Writer
Professionals dedicated to securing funding for nonprofit organizations, schools, and other entities.
Program Coordinator
Individuals are responsible for overseeing program implementation and evaluation within organizations.
Fundraising Consultant
Experts who assist organizations in developing and executing fundraising strategies.
Nonprofit Manager
Leaders who manage nonprofit organizations ensure they meet their funding and operational goals.
Freelance Grant Writer
Independent professionals who offer grant writing services to multiple clients, providing flexibility and diverse opportunities.
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 $2,385.45* (online) per semester.
*Estimated cost based on 9 credit hours at 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 complementary programs that enhance the Certificate in Grant Writing and Program Evaluation, providing further specialization and career advancement opportunities in community service and nonprofit management. These programs allow students to tailor their education to their specific career goals.
Yes! While every successful grant proposal has standard components, there is room for creativity in presenting your ideas and justifying your funding needs.
Yes, the Certificate in Grant Writing and Program Evaluation can be completed online, providing flexibility for students with varying schedules.
Various organizations, including nonprofits, schools, hospitals, law enforcement agencies, and social service organizations, hire grant writers.
Absolutely. The internship course requires students to write grant proposals for actual organizations, some of which may be submitted to actual funders.
Employers highly value specialized training in grant writing, particularly in the nonprofit sector. The skills gained through this program can lead to full-time employment, consulting opportunities, or volunteer roles that significantly impact communities.
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. Volunteer options are available through local groups such as:
- 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
- Online
