Mar 29, 2024  
Undergraduate Catalog 2008-09 
    
Undergraduate Catalog 2008-09 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

American Humanics Certificate Program


Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Departments and Programs

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 Web site
(www.humanics.org) or at the WMU American Humanics Web site (www.rso.wmich.edu/ahsa) or by contacting the American Humanics director at the School of Public Affairs and Administration, (269) 387-8945.

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 courses:


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 career development and exploration, communication skills, employability skills, personal attributes, a demonstrated understanding of historical and philosophical foundations of nonprofit organizations, youth and adult development, nonprofit board and committee development, fundraising principles and practices, nonprofit management, nonprofit accounting and financial management, community outreach/marketing and public relations, program planning, implementation and evaluation, risk management and legal issues, volunteer management, information management and technology, ethics and values, and diversity awareness.

Partners


The national nonprofit partners of American Humanics are American Red Cross, American’s Second Harvest, The Arc, Americorps, Big Brothers/Big Sisters of America, Boy Scouts of America, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Camp Adventure, Camp Fire Boys and Girls, Corporation for National and Community Service, Girls, Inc., Girl Scouts of the USA, Guidestar, The Humane Society, Junior Achievement, Inc., March of Dimes, National Urban League, National 4-H Council, Points of Light Foundation, United Way of America, Volunteers of America, YMCA of the USA, and the local affiliates of these organizations. These national partners guide and support the national American Humanics students.

Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Departments and Programs