Nonprofit Sector Leadership and Innovation
Join a network of passionate changemakers committed to creating positive, lasting impact.
The five-course Nonprofit Sector Leadership and Innovation Certificate prepares students to lead and innovate in nonprofit and voluntary organizations. As the only program of its kind in Saskatchewan, it offers a unique blend of academic learning and hands-on community engagement.
Open to any undergraduate student at the University of Regina this part-time certificate can be taken alongside any undergraduate degree as a concurrent program. The certificate is also tailored to working professionals looking to advance their careers.
Students gain practical experience working with local organizations, building skills in advocacy, communications, community-based research, governance, program planning, financial management, fund development, and leadership.
What is the Nonprofit Sector and Why Does It Matter?
The nonprofit sector includes organizations focused on solving social, cultural, and environmental challenges rather than making a profit. Careers in nonprofits offer you the chance to develop skills in leadership, management, fundraising, and communications while making a real difference in your community.
Some course you may take as part of this certificate include:
NSLI 260 - Nonprofit Advocacy and Community Development
Theoretical and practical consideration of nonprofit advocacy work, including power structures and systems, government structures, community development and organizing, and networking and engaging community residents to achieve changes in public policies and programs and to educate about societal problems. Legal restrictions on charities' advocacy are examined.
NSLI 380 - Nonprofit Leadership and Strategy
This course is an introduction to the leadership competencies needed for nonprofit organization management. This includes the fundamentals of strategic planning, leadership styles, team building, leveraging volunteer support, and strategies for sustainability and growth.
NSLI 230 - Nonprofit Communications and Strategic Relationship Building
Communications with the general public, governments, other nonprofits, businesses, media, funders and donors in order to build intentional relationships are explored. Theory and practice are integrated in examining relationships and accountabilities. New perspectives on social media, virtual/public presence, branding, key messages, and time-sensitive response mechanisms are discussed.
Quick Facts
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Why Study Nonprofit Sector Leadership and Innovation at the University of Regina?
This program prepares the next generation of leaders in the nonprofit sector. The certificate courses provide experience and skill development in areas directly applicable to leadership and management.
The certificate courses have been developed in collaboration with the Saskatchewan nonprofit and voluntary sector. Each course involves an engaged-learning component, where students have the opportunity to work in partnership with a nonprofit organization.
Small class sizes allow students to connect with their instructors and peers.Internship
Students have a semester-long partnership with an organization to apply their knowledge from the certificate to advance the work of a local nonprofit organization.Flexibility
The certificate can also be combined with many other majors to provide students with transferable skills that appeal to many employers.
All courses in this program can be taken remotely.
The courses in this program are full-credit undergraduate-level courses that can be used toward other undergraduate programs.Certificate program
Students may want to complete a credential quickly so that they can work. Our undergraduate certificate programs are a great way to earn a credential in a short amount of time.
Our certificate programs also provide ways for learners to get a start in university if they’ve never attended, or been away for a long time. They are also a way to re-skill or upskill, to augment your resume, supplement the learning from a degree program, make a career change, or start with a smaller goal towards a longer academic journey.Expert instructors
Our instructors are chosen not only for their academic qualifications but also because they have spent many years working in these professions in the community. This provides a bridge for students between theoretical knowledge and practical applications with first-hand, real-world experiences.
Every course includes experiential learning, allowing me to connect with nonprofit leaders and gain knowledge from a real-life perspective. Completing this certificate gave me a competitive advantage and expanded my career opportunities.
Nonprofit Sector Leadership and Innovation Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! We offer the following scholarships for our certificate students:
- Centre for Continuing Education Certificate Awards
Use our online Student Awards Management System (SAMS) to find other awards and scholarships for which you may be eligible.
Students who enroll through Luther College are eligible to apply for a range of scholarships and bursaries offered by the College. There are awards for both full-time and part-time students and many awards recognize service to the community.If you are not currently a University of Regina student, you will submit an online application.
For current University of Regina and federated college students, the NSLI Certificate can be earned within undergraduate program of study. To learn more about this option, please contact nvssn@luthercollege.edu or your faculty academic advisor.
The hands-on projects provided insight into nonprofit challenges and how these organizations drive social change. This program gave me practical skills and broadened my perspective on making a meaningful impact.
What Can You Do with a Certificate in Nonprofit Sector Leadership and Innovation?
- Communications and Social Media officer
- Social and community service workers
- Recreation, sports and fitness program and service directors
- Library, archive, museum and art gallery managers
- Executive director
- Development manager
- Events coordinator
Working with real organizations made my learning feel meaningful. Seeing the impact of my projects helped me consider my future career in nonprofit leadership and corporate social responsibility.
Required Courses
NSLI Courses
| Course Code | Course Title |
| NSLI 100 | Foundations of the Nonprofit Sector |
| NSLI 220 | Nonprofit Advocacy and Community Development |
| NSLI 230 | Nonprofit Communications and Strategic Relationship Building |
| NSLI 240 | Community-Based Research in the Nonprofit Sector |
| NSLI 260 | Nonprofit Organization Governance and Leadership |
| NSLI 340 | Nonprofit Program Planning and Evaluation |
| NSLI 350 | Nonprofit Financial Management and Philanthropy |
| NSLI 370 | Fund Development in Nonprofit Organizations |
| NSLI 380 | Nonprofit Sector Leadership and Strategy |
| NSLI 390 AA-ZZ | Special Topics in Nonprofit Organizations |
Program Outline
| Credit Hours | Required Courses |
| 3.0 | NSLI 100* |
| 9.0 | Three of: NSLI 220, NSLI 230, NSLI 240, NSLI 260, NSLI 340, nSLI 350, NSLI 3700, NSLI 380, NSLI 390AA_ZZ |
| 3.0 |
One elective from the following: Any additional NSLI course** BUS 100, 260, 364; IDS 101; IS 302; JS 350, 383,484, 415; PHIL 270, 276; PSCI 100; SOC 208, 211, 214, 308; SRS 215, 340, or a course approved by the Program Director. |
Notes
*NSLI 100 is the prerequisite for the other NSLI courses.
** NSLI courses may only be counted once in either the required course section or the approved electives section
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