Academics <
Bachelors Degree <
Leadership Programs and Special Opportunities <
American Humanics Requirements
About American Humanics
American Humanics at Indiana University is a certificate program for
undergraduates from all academic majors who are interested in working
with nonprofits after graduation. Students pursuing American Humanics
certification become prepared to enter the nonprofit field in professional
roles by becoming proficient in 14 competency areas. Many students go
on to fulfilling and successful careers in the nonprofit field, while
other students become certified in order to effectively take on volunteer
leadership roles in their community.
Making the World a Better Place…
If you are interested in making a difference, a career in the nonprofit
sector may be for you. As a professional in the nonprofit world you
can reap the rewards of being of service to others and making the world
a better place.You will teach people new skills and help an individual
or an entire community solves problems. You will help today’s
youth by providing friendship and strong leadership.You can make a difference!
What is the Nonprofit Sector?
The nonprofit sector in American includes hospitals, museums, schools,
homeless shelters, houses of worship, symphony orchestras, research
centers, youth groups, and many other organizations in every community
across the nation. Their names emphasize their unique role in society,
distinct from business and government.
The idea of the nonprofit sector may be abstract and poorly understood,
but the sector's role in our society is tangible and easily recognized.
Freed from the profit motive that dominates business and from the constraints
of government, the nonprofit sector serves as a forum for the creation
and dissemination of new ideas, an efficient vehicle for delivering
social services, and a guardian of our environment, values, and heritage.
The nonprofit sector in the United States is vast and diverse and
touches all our lives. It includes more than 1.5 million organizations
with combined annual revenues of more than $670 billion. About six percent
of all organizations in the U.S. are nonprofits, and one in 12 Americans
works for a nonprofit. Another 109 million Americans or 56 percent of
adults, volunteer for these organizations.
Did You Know?
- The nonprofit sector is a huge arena where individuals develop long-term
careers and report high-levels of satisfaction.
- Increased growth and competition for qualified staff has encouraged
competitive salaries and benefit packages in the nonprofit sector.
- Just as in the for-profit sector, nonprofit opportunities vary greatly
and salaries can range from $30,000 to $90,000 and greater.
- Top leaders of nonprofit agencies can earn up to a national average
of $60,000 to $80,000, while lower level nonprofit managers
can earn $45,000 to $55,000
Opportunities
AH certification can help you find a meaningful career.
The nonprofit sector is rapidly growing. It is estimated that over 50,000
entry level positions are open annually.
More than 25 million people are served by the
national
nonprofit partner agencies that primarily support American Humanics.
American Humanics finds, educates, and places young people in these
rewarding careers. With certification by American Humanics you will
be better qualified to seek professional employment opportunities in
nonprofit agencies.
At IU, the American Humanics program works closely with a local
Community
Council made up of representatives from local nonprofit organizations,
IU and others in the community.
Benefits of Certification to Students:
- Scholarships and internship stipends
- Networking with prospective employers
- One-to-one support, career development and mentoring
- Opportunity to test skills and various nonprofit roles through internships,
co-curricular and community service activities
- Potential for references and referrals from agency executive directors,
- advisory board members and community leaders
- Exposure to national nonprofit network of partners and career options
- Sense of community and belonging
- Fun and lasting friendships
Certification Requirements
(click here to
download pdf)
The IU American Humanics certification program is
open to all
undergraduates and to all majors. It is part of and in addition
to any other degree that an IU student may pursue.
To enroll in the program, a student must complete an interview with
the
American
Humanics Director and register in the national American Humanics
online profile system.
Minimum requirements are:
Academic Requirements
- Nonprofit Management (6 hrs)
SPEA V362 Nonprofit Mgt & Leadership AND
SPEA V221 Nonprofit & Voluntary Sector
- Nonprofit Management Field (3 hrs)—Select a 300-level
(or higher) class from a special feature of a nonprofit field, service
area, or industry. Examples include:
Urban Community Development
SPEA V340 Urban Gvt Administration
SPEA V462 Community Development (S)
SWK S352 Social Welfare Delivery Systems (S)
Youth & Adult Development
EDUC P314 Life Span Development
PSYCH P315 Developmental Psychology
International Development
I204 Human Rights, Social Movement: Int’l Perspective (S)
Health Development
SPEA H320 Health Systems Administration
- Nonprofit Acctg & Financial Mgt (3 hrs)
BUS A200 Foundations of Accounting (B) or
SPEA V246 Elem Gvt/NP Financial Acctg (B)
- American Humanics Management Institute (AHMI) (1 hr)
SPEA V267 AHMI (F) AHMI
- Personal Career Planning (1 hr)
SPEA V252 Career Development (B) (or a comparable Career Planning Course)
- Fundraising (3 hrs)
SPEA V458 Fund Development for Nonprofit Organizations (F) or
HPER T101 Intro to Resource Dvlpmt (B)
- Internship with a Nonprofit Organization (3 hrs)
SPEA V388 (B)—Minimum of 300 intern hrs
(Credit is also available through individual departments. Please check
with the AH Director.)
F = course only offered fall semester
S = course only offered spring semester
B = course offered both semesters
Co-Curricular Requirements
Co-Curricular activities are also a requirement of the American Humanics Program and include:
- Actively participate in the American Humanics
Student Association—a minimum of 15 hours per semester; and serve on at least 1 subcommittee per academic year.
- Organize/attend one or more annual retreats and dinners.
- Attend one or more annual American Humanics Management Institutes.
Suggested courses
These courses are not required but do meet some of the American Humanics competencies.
- JOUR J431 Public Relations for Nonprofits
- HPER T201 Annual Giving
- HPER T202 Major Gifts & Planned Giving
- HPER T301 Capital Campaigns
- LESA L105 Service Learning
- SOC S215 Social Change
- SPEA V373 Human Resource Management
- SPEA V436 Communication for Public and Nonprofit organizations
- CMCL C121 Public Speaking
- HPER R351 Convention Management and Meeting Planning
Internship/Practicum
The student internship/practicum at a nonprofit organization is considered
the "capstone" experience. Students must complete a 300-hour
internship/practicum at an approved site. The AH director will assist
students with internship placement if needed. Students must take the
internship for credit through their major department or through SPEA.
Internship scholarships and stipends available for qualifying students.
A
student
internship manual is available for AH students preparing for their
internship/practicum experience.
American Humanics Management Institute
Students will be required to attend the AH Management Institute (AHMI)
at least once (it is typically held in January in various locations
across the US). Students raise money through the Student Association
to pay for the conference.
The American Humanics Management Institute is a three-day learning
experience administered by the national office of American Humanics.
As part of the career preparation process, American Humanics hosts
an annual Management Institute. This conference provides the capstone
educational experience for junior and senior-level students in undergraduate
nonprofit studies. While at the Institute, students participate in case
studies, workshops, and forums to learn more current topics in the nonprofit
sector. They also attend career and campus fairs, and network with hundreds
of fellow Humanics students as well as local, regional, and national
nonprofit executives.
Reasons Students Attend the Management Institute:
- Gain connections and network with other students and future non-profit
employers to increase job opportunities.
- Learn new skills and competencies by attending workshops, listening
to guest speakers, seeing presentations and learning about non-profit
management.
- Prepare students to be well-trained leaders of the growing non-profit
sector.
Allow students to use knowledge learned in the classroom, internships,
and service projects and apply it to a real fundraising plan.
Current Management Institute
2007: “Empowering Communities Through People, Passion, & Policy”
—Washington, DC
Past Management Institutes
2006: “Broadening Horizons”
—San Diego, CA
2005: “Connecting Communities: Learning, Technology, Service”
—Atlanta, GA
2004: “United in our Heartland: Leadership for Our Changing
Communities”
—Kansas City, MO
2003: “Don’t Gamble With Your Future…Be Inspired.
Network. Learn.”
—Las Vegas, NV
2002: “Celebrating Our Mission: Economic Development for Independence
in the 21st Century!”
—San Antonio, TX
2001: “Universal Magic: Perceive the Possibilities!”
—Orlando, FL
2000: “Gateway to the millennium: Change is in Our Hands!”
—St. Louis, MO
Certification Competency Requirements
The American Humanics program has identified
14
core skills and knowledge competencies for undergraduate programs
in nonprofit management. It is important to note that these are used
as criteria to determine satisfactory completion of the American Humanics
certificate. Each component of the American Humanics Program--curriculum,
internship, and co-curricular activities—is driven by these competencies.
Information for American Humanics Students
How to Apply for Certification and Membership
AH Student Forms
AH Online Registration Information
Internships
Scholarships
How to Apply for Certification
and Membership
- Contact the Program Coordinator for a student
orientation session: humanics@indiana.edu
or 856-2037
- Fill out an online profile on the National
American Humanics Web site
- Fill out an Indiana University student application
- Start attending the American
Humanics Student Association meetings
AH Student Forms
Student Handbook
Student Application
Certification Checklist
AH On-Line Registration Information
After meeting with the AH director, students
interested in pursuing AH certification must register through the AH
online profile system at
http://www.humanics.org/.
Please click here to see the
Online Profile Instructions
Internships
The student internship/practicum at a nonprofit
organization is considered the “capstone” experience. Students
must complete a 300-hour internship/practicum at an approved site. The
AH director will assist students with internship placement if needed.
Students may take the course for credit in their major department if
available or on a contract basis through the AH program.
A
student
internship manual is available for AH students preparing for their
internship/practicum experience.
An
internship
manual for nonprofit agencies is available for nonprofit agencies
who are preparing to host an American Humanics intern.
American Humanics Scholarships
American Humanics offers
Academic Scholarships.
These are comprised of the
Nido Qubein Scholarship (5 scholarships);
the
Barbara Pendleton Scholarship (5 scholarships) and the
American Humanics Academic Excellence Scholarship (15 scholarships).
Each award will total $1000. These scholarships will be awarded to students
enrolled in the American Humanics program and working toward AH certification.
Recipients will be selected on academic performance and strong community
involvement.
The American Humanics Scholarship Committee
will review all applications and determine awards.
Incomplete
and/or last applications will be disqualified from the review process.
Students are restricted to receiving one type of scholarship per academic
year and additionally are limited to a total of two American Humanics
scholarships/awards during their undergraduate enrollment.
Scholarships that Indiana University
American Humanics students have received:
- Jessica Atkins: XCEL Scholarship: $1000
- Erika Albert: XCEL Scholarship: $1000 &
Academic Scholarship: $1000
- Amanda Ryan: Academic Scholarship: $1000
- Beth Hannon: Academic Scholarship: $1000 &
XCEL Scholarship: $1000
- Ann Roth: XCEL Scholarship: $1000
- Caitlin Skinner: Community Spirit Award: $1000
- Charity Haines: Academic Scholarship: $1000
- Rachel Karess: Barbara Pendleton Scholarship:
$1000
- Sarah Donner: XCEL Scholarship: $1000
For more information and scholarship
applications please check the American Humanics Web site.
American Humanics Student Association
All American Humanics students become members of the AHSA.
As a participant in the American Humanics program, students become
a member of AHSA. The AHSA is set up to allow students to form friendships
with other American Humanics members, fundraise for the national Management
Institute, and learn about social issues and how to be an agent for
positive change. As a participant in the American Humanics program,
students become a member of AHSA. Active involvement in AHSA is required
during the fall and spring semesters. AHSA members actively plan and
execute projects that help students meet AH competency requirements.
AHSA is open to any student interested in nonprofit organizations and
management, not just those seeking AH certification.
American Humanics Annual Campaign
Why
In order to gain the valuable fundraising experience vital to a successful
career in nonprofit management, students are required to participate
in fundraising efforts to finance their attendance at the national management
institute each year and to fund the American Humanics Student Association
activities, events and awards.
How
At Indiana University American Humanics, fundraising is treated as a
learning experience and as an essential skill that nonprofit professionals
should cultivate and understand. The following will outline the four
categories of fundraising techniques that have helped our AHSA cultivate
a fundraising reputation that we are proud of.
Face-to-Face Solicitations
Each association member that will be attending the management institute
is paired and required to schedule face-to-face solicitations with potential
donors. Each year the goal is to contact local affiliates of American
Humanics partner agencies, Community Council members, IU faculty and
administration. Students follow a case for support that is refreshed
yearly; along with a tri-fold brochure as tools in their face-to-face
asks.
Direct Mail Piece
A letter campaign has a significant role in our fundraising efforts.
Students who are attending the institute write a direct mail piece to
family and friends and alumni.
Personal Contributions
In order to personalize the fundraising experience and demonstrate our
own commitment to the campaign, students make a personal contribution
to the annual campaign.
Special Events
We have participated and planned a variety of special events with additional
ones planned for the future. To date AH has raised $750 through special
events.
Information for Local Nonprofit Partners
American Humanics Resources for Nonprofit Organizations
Better Prepared Entry-Level Employees American
Humanics has developed new knowledge and skill
certification
competencies, based on the professional entry-level employment requirements
of our nonprofit partners and the advice of academic partners. These
certification competencies are the critical foundation of our experiential
education program, which includes coursework, internships, and co-curricular
activities.
American Humanics graduates are mission-oriented and committed to
serving people through their efforts in the nonprofit sector. Typically,
students will remain in the nonprofit sector for the duration of their
careers.
If you are looking for a qualified employee, please send a job posting to
the American Humanics Campus Director at:
humanics@indiana.edu.
Productive Student Interns As part of their
preparation, students are required to complete a 300-hour internship
with a nonprofit organization. When they begin their internships, agencies
are pleased to learn that students have the classroom knowledge and
co-curricular experience to help them excel in their intern position.
Please view the
nonprofit organization intern host manual.
Please submit a job description to the American Humanics campus director:
e-mail the job description to
humanics@indiana.edu.
Student Association Service Projects The American
Humanics Student Association participates in monthly and semester long
service projects in local nonprofit organizations.
If your agency is interested in having the American Humanics Student
Association complete service project with your organization, please
contact the American Humanics Campus Director at:
humanics@indiana.edu.
Serve on the American Humanics Community Council The
IU American Humanics
Community
Council offers a great opportunity for local nonprofit organizations
and community members to get involved in setting the future direction
of the program as well as direct involvement with AH students.
If you would like to be on the AH mailing list, have questions, or would
like to get involved with the IU American Humanics program, please contact
the American Humanics Campus Director at:
humanics@indiana.edu
National Nonprofit Partners
The national nonprofit partners provide American Humanics input into
what competencies are necessary to work for their agencies. These agencies
are committed to offering internships and employment to American Humanics
students and alumni.
Click
here
to see a list of the national nonprofit partners (then click on their logos to visit their websites).
Nonprofit Partners' Endorsement
"As American Humanics' national youth and human service partners, we
acknowledge the great need that each of our organizations has for well-prepared,
qualified entry-level employees. Because of this, as American Humanics'
National Nonprofit Partners, we support American Humanics' mission and
its commitment to the quality experiential education that students receive
on partner campuses across the country. American Humanics graduates
have an advantage as they apply for employment at our local organizations
because of the knowledge and skills they gain through course work, co-curricular
activities and internship experiences that are part of the American
Humanics program. We endorse the professional entry-level certification
competencies that are presented in this publication and view them as
essential for entry-level employment. They provide the foundation for
quality career preparation and represent the common ground that is found
in most entry-level youth and human service work. We applaud American
Humanics' partner colleges and universities for their foresight in establishing
American Humanics undergraduate programs, and the American Humanics
students for their dedication to learning and their commitment to careers
in the youth and human service sector."
Current Community Council Members
- Julio Alonso
Executive Director, Hoosier Hills Food Bank
- Carol Bentley
Executive Director, American Red Cross of Monroe County
- Beth Gazley
Faculty, School of Public and Environmental Affairs
- Dorothy Granger
Executive Director, Girl’s Incorporated of Monroe County
- Liz Grenat
Executive Director, Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Central IN
- Kirsten Grønbjerg
Faculty, School of Public and Environmental Affairs
- Helen Ingersoll
Director, Civic Leadership Development
- Roberta Kelzer
Executive Director, YMCA of Monroe County
- Claire King
Director, Partnerships in Service Learning (COPSL)
-
Leslie Lenkowsky
Faculty, School of Public and Environmental Affairs
- Barry Lessow
Executive Director, United Way Community Services of Monroe County
- Rebecca Linehan
Unit Director, Crestmont Boys and Girls Club
AH Alumnus
- Deborah O’Brien
Executive Director, Girl Scouts of Tulip Trace
- Peg Stice
IUB's American Humanics Executive Director
- Ann Marie Thomson
Faculty, School of Public and Environmental Affairs
- Charlotte Walker
American Humanics Student Association
President
chachwal@indiana.edu
- Erin Parks
American Humanics Student Association
Vice President
emparks@indiana.edu
Links
Contact Us
If you are ready to make a difference in your
community,
contact IU Bloomington's American Humanics office: