American Humanics Certificate Program

The American Humanics certification can be accomplished two ways at WMU, as a stand-alone certificate with a major and minor in any discipline or as part of a minor in Nonprofit Leadership through the School of Public Affairs and Administration. Information about obtaining the certification by fulfilling the minor requirements for Nonprofit Leadership are found in this catalog under the School of Public Affairs and Administration.

The American Humanics program is designed to prepare students for entry-level professional positions in nonprofit organizations. The certificate that the student receives is awarded by American Humanics, Inc., a national organization of over 70 collaborating universities and national nonprofit organizations. The WMU American Humanics director and the national American Humanics office assist students in finding employment and internship programs in nonprofit organizations. Additional information about American Humanics can be found at the national website
(www.humanics.org) or at the WMU American Humanics website (www.rso.wmich.edu/ahsa) or by contacting the American Humanics director at the School of Public Affairs and Administration, 387-8930.

Requirements

The American Humanics program is offered in conjunction with a student’s major or minor or as a minor in Nonprofit Leadership. The requirements for certification are as follows:

1. American Humanics Competency Requirements

The student must fulfill the American Humanics competency requirements. These can be fulfilled through course work, workshops, internships, volunteer experience, service learning, or work experience.

2. Extra-Curricular Requirements

The student must fulfill the extra-curricular requirements prescribed by American Humanics, Inc. These requirements include participation in an American Humanics Student Organization, attending the national AH Management Institute, and participating in prescribed workshops.

3. The Student must Complete the Following Three Courses:

PADM 2000 - Introduction to Nonprofit Leadership Credits: 3 hours
PADM 3000 - Nonprofit Advancement Credits: 3 hours
PADM 4000 - Seminar in Nonprofit Leadership Credits: 3 hours

4. Internship

The student must complete a minimum internship of 300 hours (3 credit hours) in a nonprofit organization. This internship is typically completed in the student’s major or minor, although it can also be supervised by the American Humanics director as PADM 4100 Internship in Nonprofit Leadership.

5. Grades

The student must earn a grade of “C” or better in all courses that count toward fulfilling American Humanics requirements

American Humanics Competency Requirements

The American Humanics competency requirements include communication skills, employability skills, a demonstrated understanding of historical and philosophical foundations of nonprofit organizations, youth and adult development, nonprofit board and committee development, fundraising principles and practices, human resource development and supervision, nonprofit leadership and financial management, nonprofit advancement, program planning, and risk management.

Partners

The national nonprofit partners of American Humanics are American Red Cross, Big Brothers/Big Sisters of America, Boy Scouts of America, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Camp Fire Boys and Girls, Catholic Charities USA, Girls Inc., Girl Scouts of the USA, Habitat for Humanity International, Junior Achievement, Inc., National Network for Youth, National Urban League, Special Olympics, Inc., United Way of America, Volunteers of America, the YWCA and YMCA of the USA, and the local affiliates of these organizations. These national partners guide and support the national American Humanics students.