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Graduate Diploma in Non-Profit Management

Graduate Diploma
(Postgraduate)

Designed for senior managers and experienced professionals within the non-profit sector as well as professionals who are interested to find out more about the non-profit sector.

Graduate Diploma in Non-Profit Management


Overview

The Graduate Diploma in Non-Profit Management (GDNPM) is a practice-oriented programme. It interweaves conceptual frameworks and practice skills with a focus on strategic application. The programme is designed for senior managers and experienced professionals within the non-profit sector as well as professionals who are interested to find out more about the non-profit sector. Graduates from this programme will be well positioned to strategically understand the non-profit sector and be able to contribute in a variety of related fields including VWOs, NPOs, NGOs, Foundations, Social Enterprises. Being practice oriented, you will develop applied skill sets that will help you achieve the goals of your organisation.

Unique Features of the Programme

  • Classes are taught by industry practitioners with many years of relevant experience in the non-profit sector.
  • Guest speakers from the industry will be invited to share their knowledge and experience.

Admission Requirements

Refer to general admission criteria for graduate programmes.

Applicants are required to submit their Resume / Curriculum Vitae (CV) during application.

On a case by case basis, applicants without an undergraduate degree or equivalent qualification from a recognised institution but who possess many years of work experience (with strong recommendation letter from the employer) will be considered for admissions.

This programme is currently unable to take in international students, i.e., you must be a Singapore citizen, permanent resident or a resident in Singapore (e.g., Employment Pass holder) in order to apply for admission.

Financial Assistance

The University offers course fee concession for selected graduate programmes. Please click here for more details.

Programme Structure

The framework of the programme is built around three areas that are fundamental to non-profit management:

  • General management knowledge and skills
  • Organisation context and development
  • Non-profit management domain knowledge and skills

The programmes provide participants with different pathways and exit points to cater to different professional goals, needs and interests. Participants can exit at the graduate certificate or graduate diploma, and return to earn a higher qualification at a later time.

If the courses are taken consecutively, the programme will stretch over two semesters or one year. However, students will have flexibility in scheduling their studies and will graduate as long as they meet programme requirements within a maximum of two year candidacy.

Modular courses may also be taken individually, via the SUSS Academy and recognised for credit when applying for admission to the GDNPM and other post-graduate programmes.

For more information on modular courses, please click here.
For information about SkillsFuture funding for these courses, please click here.

LevelStructure
Graduate Certificate

GCNPM students are required to complete 15 cu of coursework. The minimum period is half a (0.5) year. Students have to maintain a minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 2.5 in their coursework as part of the fulfilment of the GCNPM programme.

Currently, the modular courses within the GCNPM programme are offered via SUSS Academy. NPM504 and NPM506 are offered in July semester and NPM512 is offered in January semester. Upon successful completion of these modular courses and attaining the minimum CGPA, eligible students may apply for the graduate certificate.

For more information on Graduate Certification, please click here.

Graduate Diploma

GDNPM students are required to complete 30 cu of coursework. Most courses are based on a 5cu configuration. The minimum candidature period is one (1) year and the maximum candidature period is two (2) years. Students have to maintain a minimum CGPA of 2.5 in their coursework as part of the fulfilment of the GDNPM programme

Application to GDNPM programme is currently open for July intake.


Most courses in this programme are conducted on weekends (Saturdays). Students can work in the day and study in the weekends/evenings. Classes may be conducted on Zoom or another online platform due to COVID-19 precautionary measures.

It is aimed at middle management in the social services, arts, music and sports sectors: another potential group is professionals and leaders who are considering a mid-career transition into the non-profit sector from other fields. Such professionals may be motivated by the meaningful social impact of their work in the non-profit sector. While these 'sector movers' are likely to have existing leadership and management skills, they may be keen on further enhancing their knowledge and personal capacities within the non-profit sector

Leadership opportunities in the non-profit sector for graduates exist in voluntary welfare organisations, philanthropic organisations and foundations, and multi-national companies. With the training obtained from the GDNPM, the graduates may be able to train staff in social enterprises and social entrepreneurship organisations on management.

  1. How many intake(s) are there in a year for Graduate Diploma of Non-Profit Management (GDNPM)?
    One intake a year; every July.

  2. What are the minimum and maximum durations of GDNPM?
    GDNPM is a minimum 1-year programme and student may stretch to a maximum of 2 years to complete.

  3. How many courses do students take in each semester?
    Students are recommended to complete 3 courses per semester.

  4. When are the lessons scheduled?
    Classes for the GDNPM programme are held on either weekday evenings or Saturdays. A student can take up to three courses each semester. For courses with overseas lecturers, a condensed version (combining weekdays and weekends or two consecutive weekends) of the schedule may be utilised. Online instructions and video conferencing may also be explored to facilitate effective teaching and learning.

  5. What are the courses should I complete to obtain the Graduate Certificate in Non-Profit Management?
    Students are required to complete 3 core courses: Social Sector Leadership, Volunteer Management & Governance and Risk Management for Non-Profit Organisations.

  6. What happens if I do not complete the Graduate Diploma within the candidature period? Can I apply to take the remaining courses via CET pathway?
    Students who have not completed their graduate programmes within the stipulated candidature period will not be eligible for the award of the qualification for such graduate programmes. Such students however may apply to take, via the CET pathway, the remaining courses which they did not complete under their graduate programmes as part of their personal learning and development. Such application will be subjected to the CET admission requirement. However, as such students have exceeded the candidature period for their graduate programmes, they will not be awarded the qualification for such graduate programmes even after taking and completing the remaining courses via the CET pathway (“Condition”).

    PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS COURSE, IS ONE OF THE COURSES UNDER A GRADUATE PROGRAMME. THEREFORE, APPLICANTS FOR THIS COURSE ARE SUBJECT TO THE FOREGOING CONDITION. BY SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION FOR THIS COURSE, THE APPLICANT AGREES TO BE SUBJECT TO THE FOREGOING CONDITION.
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