Accreditation/Certification

The benefits of earning accreditation/certification? Professional distinction, established credibility, advancement of the profession, and potentially enhanced employability.

Council for Certification in Volunteer Administration

http://www.cvacert.org

Individuals seeking to earn the CVA (Certified in Volunteer Administration) credential can enroll in this unique, international, performance-based program for individuals who lead and direct volunteer engagement in all types of organizations and settings. CCVA recognizes practitioners in the field of volunteer resources management who meet specified standards as measured through an exam and a written portfolio. This is a self-study process requiring no travel or special classes. Individuals with the equivalent of at least 3 years of experience leading and directing volunteers are eligible.

To get started, visit the CCVA web site at www.cvacert.org to read testimonials from recent CVAs and print a copy of the latest Candidate Handbook and registration form.   Specific questions can be directed to CCVA at 804-794-8689 or ccva@comcast.net


Certified Administrator of Volunteer Services (Healthcare)
http://www.aha.org/aha/Certification-Center/CAVS/index.html

The certification program of the American Hospital Association for people who direct volunteer services in healthcare settings.  As of 2010, this special certification is being managed by CCVA (see above).  The most current materials are available at:  http://www.cvacert.org/healthcare.htm


On-The-Ground Conferences and Workshops

Note: Updated information can be found from Energize Inc. at: //www.energizeinc.com/prof/conf.html

2023 Points of Light Conference on Volunteering and Service
June 14-16, 2023
National event for leaders of volunteers in any kind of setting, including those running employee volunteer programs in for-profit corporations. To register: http://www.volunteeringandservice.org/. POL website: http://www.pointsoflight.org/

Also check out trainings offered by your national association or local volunteer center.

Online Training Opportunities (*Free)


On-The-Ground Degree/Certificate Programs in Volunteer Management

Note: Updated information can be found from Energize Inc. at: http://www.energizeinc.com/prof/class.html

Arkansas

Certified Volunteer Manager Program (CVM)
Offered through the Arkansas Public Administration Consortium and the DHS Division of Volunteerism, since 1986. One of the first of its kind in the nation, it teaches administrators and managers of volunteer programs how to effectively manage their volunteer staff by providing them with leadership and management training designed specifically for the needs of the volunteer professional. 
For more information: http://ualr.edu/iog/apac/programs/cvm/

California

Southern California Center for Nonprofit Management
1000 N. Alameda Street, Suite 250, Los Angeles, CA  90012
Offers various classes in nonprofit management, including volunteer management. Course listing and registration information at http://www.cnmsocal.org.

Delaware

Delaware Volunteer Management Certification Series
The Volunteer Management Certification Series teaches leaders of volunteers how to operate high-impact, state-of-the-art programs in this time of unprecedented opportunity for volunteerism.  The certification is appropriate for current or potential leaders of volunteers in Delaware, regardless of the settings in which they work. The series consists of five course which address the profession of volunteer management, building program capacity, risk management, human resources and program evaluation. 
Contact: Visit http://www.davaweb.org/dcva.htm for more information

District of Columbia

Institute on Philanthropy and Voluntary Service - Washington, DC - Sponsored by the Fund for American Studies, held at Georgetown University
http://www.dcinternships.org/?programs=philanthropy-and-voluntary-service
Intensive eight-week summer academic and internship program for college undergraduates from across the nation who are engaged in tutoring, mentoring, and other kinds of service programs on and off their campuses, and who are interested in exploring careers in the nonprofit sector.

Illinois

Certificate in Values-Centered Leadership -- The de Paul Leadership Project and the School of Public Services
http://employeelearningatdepaul.wordpress.com/2010/09/10/values-centered-leadership-the-online-certificate/
This 30-hour intensive leadership development program is focused on strengthening leadership competencies and skill-sets that value diversity, promote cross-cultural competence and develop values-centered leadership practices and skills that are most-needed in nonprofit, educational and social service settings.

Indiana

Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at Indiana University-Perdue University
http://www.philanthropy.iupui.edu/
While not offering volunteer management courses specifically, this is an established center for philanthropy studies and its for-credit and noncredit programs are relevant.

Missouri

Washington University, St. Louis, MO USA
Volunteer Management for Today
Taught each summer as part of the MA and Certification in Non Profit Management Programs. Students explore and develop practical strategies for effective program planning, volunteer recruitment and retention, staff and volunteer relations, program evaluation, volunteerism trends within a global context, and ethical practices. This course provides an introduction to the core competencies of volunteer resource management.
Contact: Washington University
The M.A. in Nonprofit Management Program, University College, Campus Box 1064, Washington University, One Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO 63130-4899.
Telephone (314) 935-6778.
E-mail srollins@artsci.wustl.edu

New Jersey

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey - Piscataway, New Jersey
The Certificate Program in Volunteer Management offers a series of required and elective workshops, participants will enhance their skills and increase their knowledge of the practical, legal and technical aspects of directing a volunteer program. The program consists of seven required and two elective workshops. Download a brochure for the program at
http://socialwork.rutgers.edu/iff/brochures/CP_VolMgmt_07.pdf
Contact: Continuing Education and Professional Development Program, School of Social Work, Building 4161, Livingston Campus, 100 Joyce Kilmer Avenue, Piscataway, NJ 08854-8045
Phone: 732-445-3173

Seton Hall University - South Orange, NJ
Seton Hall's nationally ranked M.P.A. degree in Nonprofit Management prepares volunteer administrators and nonprofit managers to take leadership roles in their organizations and the community. Issues of volunteer management are incorporated into a variety of courses.
More information: http://www.shu.edu/academics/artsci/certificate-nonprofit-
organization-management.cfm

New York

Milano The New School for Management and Urban Policy
Master of Science in Nonprofit Management
New York, NY

The program in Nonprofit Management prepares students to assume positions of leadership in nonprofit organizations. Milano’s program was one of the first created in the United States and for more than three decades has led the development of model research, curricula, and innovative instructional materials and methods used at leading academic institutions worldwide.

The program combines theory with practical skills and knowledge within a framework reflecting both individual and social justice values. These elements are important to professional education in any field, but they are of special significance in nonprofit management.

To enhance professional leadership in the nonprofit sector, the master’s degree program in Nonprofit Management offers a dual focus on comparative analysis and understanding the global civil sector. The program emphasizes the development of strong team interaction and presentation skills through direct exposure to nonprofit client projects. This blend of specialized knowledge and concrete skills makes Milano graduates uniquely suited to lead nonprofit organizations.

Contact:
Milano The New School for Management and Urban Policy
Office of Admissions
72 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY10011
(212) 229-5630
http://www.newschool.edu/milano/subpage.aspx?id=19648

NYAVA's Professional Development Committee invites you to its Signature Course: Principles and Practices of Volunteer Resource Management (a 2-day course).

The New York Association for Volunteer Administration invites you to its Signature Course: Principles and Practices of Volunteer Program Management (2 Day Course).

Come develop and strengthen your volunteer program with NYAVA’s signature volunteer management course. The Principles & Practices of Volunteer Program Management provides 2 days of intensive instruction on all the essential elements of an effective volunteer program. You will work in an interactive group setting with our two experienced instructors and your volunteer management peers to build skills that will be immediately useful to your program. Whether you are building the foundation of a new volunteer program or enhancing your current work with volunteers, Principles & Practices contains all the tools you will need to face the challenges of volunteer management.

During the 2 day course, participants will learn how to :

  • Design practical volunteer jobs and draft comprehensive job descriptions
  • Recruit the right people for the right job
  • Interview, assign, and place volunteers successfully
  • Retain volunteers
  • Advocate for their volunteer program within their organization
  • Evaluate and continue to improve their program
  • Address ethical considerations and leadership challenges within a variety of organizational cultures

For workshop dates and details, and registration info, www.nyava.org. Questions? Email principles@nyava.org. More details at http://www.nyava.org/professional_development-principles_and_practices.php.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of New York City/ Mentoring Supervisor Certificate Program - New York, New York
http://www.bigsnyc.org/a-MSCP.php
Designed for youth practitioners and social service professionals who work with young people and families and want to develop or enhance a mentoring program. The sessions are taught by a combination of Fordham University faculty and BBBS Training Center facilitators.
Contact: Center for Training, BBBS Of NYC, 223 East 30th Street, New York, NY 10016, train@bigsnyc.org (212) 686-2042

North Carolina

North Carolina State University
Volunteer Management and Administration (Certificate)

Directors of Graduate Certificate Programs:

Nichole Huff
Youth, Family, and Community Sciences
Phone: 515-9125
Email: nichole_huff@ncsu.edu
Website: http://distance.ncsu.edu/programs/graduate-certificate-programs.php

The Department of Youth, Family, and Community Sciences offers a total of seven graduate certificates designed to prepare professionals to better serve in their roles as family life or parent educators, and/or professionals in youth or community-based organizations.

Admissions: Admissions: Students apply online by visiting the NCSU Graduate School website and completing an online application. Applications are evaluated based on criteria published on the program website.

Requirements: A Graduate Certificate in Volunteer Management and Administration requires a total of 12 credit hours. Nine (9) credit hours are required courses, with the remaining 3 credit hours of electives. All courses are 100% distance-based.

N.C. Assn. of Volunteer Administration
Basics In Volunteer Management Online course. Visit the website for registration information: http://www.ncava.net/content/page/title/Professional_Development (see right column to download a registration form).

Ohio

The Numbers and Beyond - Demonstrating Program Value in Volunteer Administration - Cleaveland, OH
Brief description (theme, speakers, etc.): Through use of administrative data, direct survey, and comparative data, volunteer administrators can be more effective in presenting the significant benefit of the volunteer department. In this workshop, presenter Rob Fischer, PhD, will explore how volunteer administrators can increase clarity in communicating the value of the volunteer program. Participants will learn strategies for embedding process and outcome monitoring into the day-to-day job of volunteer administration.

Date:  Thursday, September 27th, 2012
Time:  3:30-5:00pm
Location:  Case Western Reserve University
Cost:  $25 members / $40 non-members

Register now at www.fvaohio.org
Questions? Email programs@fvaohio.org or contact John Lynch at 216-0325-9514

Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio
Volunteer Management Training Program (VMTP) is a capacity building program designed to enhance voluntary service in Ohio. Offered through a collaboration of the United Way of the Greater Dayton Area and Wright State University, the program consists of a series of classes for which participants receive a certificate upon completion and continuing education credits through the university. Participants in this program -- volunteer managers/
coordinators of nonprofit or public organizations -- work on managing a program, project, or resources that impact his/her organization. For more information, visit www.wright.edu/cupa/vmtp

Cincinnati Association of Volunteer Administration- Cincinnati, Ohio
Management of Volunteers Program is a certificate series of classes taught by members of the network of volunteer administrators in the greater Cincinnati area. CAVA is sponsored by the United Way of Greater Cincinnati.
The classes cover the basics of organizing and managing an effective volunteer program.
Contact: http://www.cincycava.org/

FIRSTLINK - Volunteer Management Series
Six 3½ hour sessions
Columbus, Ohio

The objective of this series is to provide volunteer managers, administrators, supervisors and coordinators with state of the art techniques and skills to manage a successful volunteer staff within any agency’s service programs.

Contact: For information and registration call 614-221-6766 ext. 123 or email us at education@firstlink.org or visit our website at http://www.firstlink.org

Oregon

Institute for Nonprofit Management at Portland State University
Portland, Oregon

University-based Certificate in Volunteer Program Management includes courses in Intro to Nonprofit Management, Governance of Nonprofit Organizations (Boards), Values-Based Management (effective HR management), Volunteerism & Volunteer Management, Advanced Volunteer Management, an elective, and an internship.   Nancy Macduff is on the faculty.
Contact: INPM@pdx.edu, 503.725.8221,
http://www.inpm.pdx.edu/inpm-certificates

Pennsylvania

Institute for Volunteerism - Pittsburgh, PA
http://www.ccac.edu/default.aspx?id=145743
Offers volunteer management seminars at the Community College of Allegheny County. In cooperation with Volunteer Administrators of SW PA and the Society for the Directors of Volunteer Services.
Contact: CCAC, Mary Jo Guercio, Director of Community Training and Development, 412.237.2723
mguercio@ccac.edu

Volunteer Center of the Greater Lehigh Valley - Bethlehem, PA
Volunteer Program Management Series - Offered yearly, this 6-week series focuses on the 5 functions of the management process as they relate to issues in volunteer management, including planning, organizing, staffing, leading and directing. Visit http://www.volunteerlv.org/agencies/volunteer-program-management-series.asp for details and registration form.

Volunteer Administration (HSW 205)
Montgomery County Community College Blue Bell, PA, USA

This course examines the development and role of volunteerism in a profit-oriented society. Specifically, it is an in-depth exploration of the fundamentals of volunteer organizations and management from an administrative perspective. It is designed for those whose work brings them into contact with volunteers, the currently employed volunteer administrator, and the student who will eventually be involved with volunteer management.
Contact: Maureen B. Rose, MSW, HS-BCP; 215-641-6413, www.mc3.edu

Texas

Certificate in Volunteer Management - Multiple Locations
The Certificate in Volunteer Management is four full days of learning from and with nationally recognized volunteer management experts Kathleen McCleskey and Wendy Biro-Pollard, CVA. The course provides volunteer management basics and beyond and is guaranteed to assist nonprofits, associations and governmental agencies in building a successful volunteer engagement program and enhancing organizational capacity.

Round Rock
Oct 23-24 and Nov 20-21, 2013

Learn more at http://nonprofitaustin.org/certificates/cert-in-volunteer-mgmt/ or contact Lisa Dent at 512-223-7051

McKinney (Dallas area)
Nov 18-19 and Dec 11-12, 2013

Learn more at http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07e7optxlxd540e2f1&llr=7pykojcab or contact Dana Riley at 972-542-0679

HAVA - Volunteer Management Academy - Houston, TX
http://www.hava.org/events/vma.htm
Houston Association of Volunteer Administrators offers this comprehensive program in volunteer management. The 30 hour certificate program is designed for volunteer administrators who want to enhance their knowledge and skills.

Austin Community College - Austin, TX 
Training Center for Community-Based and Nonprofit Organizations Volunteer ManagementCourses

Visit http://www.eventbrite.com/org/135143428?s=1113344 for a listing of upcoming courses in nonprofit management, including volunteer management.

University of Texas at Austin
LBJ School of Public Affairs, RGK Center for Philanthropy and Community Service. A three-credit hour graduate course in Community Engagement and the Management of Volunteers in Nonprofit and Public Sector Organizations, offered in the spring and the fall semesters to graduate students enrolled in the UT/A.
Contact: Sarah Jane Rehnborg, Ph.D., rehnborg@mail.utexas.edu, 512-475-7616

University of North Texas – Denton, Texas
The University of North Texas offers an on-line for-credit undergraduate and graduate certificate in Volunteer and Community Resource Management. Courses may also be used as part of an undergraduate or graduate interdisciplinary degree.
Contact: For more information see the website at http://www.ecv.unt.edu/ or contact Pamela J. Sybert, Director, Educational Consortium for Volunteerism, University of North Texas, P. O. Box 310919, Denton, TX 76203-0919. E-mail: sybert@scs.unt.edu Phone: 940 565-4417.

Online Degree/Certificate Programs in Volunteer Management