We all know experience is the best teacher. That is why the American Humanics Program focuses on providing hands-on opportunities, such as internships and co-curricular activities, as well as coursework to help the student achieve certification competencies.
Competencies
The identified skills and knowledge needed to meet the work challenges of the students chosen career field.
The American Humanics competency requirements serve as a framework for a college curriculum (competencies compared with course content) that meets the needs of nonprofit organizations. Upon completion of the American Humanics core competencies and graduation with a bachelor's degree, students possess the skills and knowledge they need for employment as nonprofit professionals.
American Humanics organizes competencies under two headings:
- Foundation:
Youth and Human Services Nonprofit Management. These competencies are not necessarily unique to youth and human services but are essential to professional success.
-
Professional Development:
Youth and Human Services Nonprofit Management nonprofit youth and human service organizations. These broad categories include skills and knowledge that are both necessary for professional success and form the core content for a nonprofit management curriculum.
Curriculum
ASU Humanics offers a high-impact curriculum.
Smaller classes, interaction with faculty, and individualized advisement
make American Humanics a personalized educational experience. The
following courses, (thirty credit hours, including a twelve-credit-hour
internship), are required for American Humanics certification.
Click on the title of the course to view the syllabus.
 |
| NLM 220 |
Introduction to Nonprofit Organizations: (spring and
fall) Introduces the nonprofit sector and its role in
developing the cultural, economic, and social impact in
U.S. society. |
3 |
|
| NLM 300 |
Fund Raising and Resource Development: (fall) Theory
and practice of philanthropy, resource acquisition methods
through ethical fund raising, and earned income approaches
for nonprofit organizations. |
3 |
|
| NLM 310 |
Volunteer Management: (spring) Administration
of volunteer service programs. Studies and analyzes the
volunteer personnel process. |
3 |
|
| NLM 320 |
Professional Development Seminar*:
(fall, spring and summer) Professional seminar featuring
nonprofit executives; variable topics on leadership and
management concerns. Forum for exchange between students
and professionals. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite:
instructor approval. |
4 |
|
| NLM 420 |
American Humanics Institute: (fall) National Management
Institute for preparation of nonprofit professionals.
Requires out-of-state conference. May be repeated for
credit. Prerequisite: instructor approval. |
2 |
|
| NLM 430 |
Managing Nonprofit Organizations: (spring) Analyzes
administrative structures, decision making, and program
delivery within nonprofit organizations. Prerequisites:
NLM 220; senior standing. |
3 |
|
| NLM 463 |
Senior Internship: (fall, spring and summer) Supervised
guided experience in selected agencies. May be repeated
for credit. Cross-listed as REC 463. Credit is allowed
for only NLM 463 or REC 463. Fee. Prerequisites: REC 440,
462, 482: Recreation major; senior standing. |
12 |
|
| |
Minimum Total |
30 |
|
Co-Curricular Activities
Real-world application of classroom learning turns knowledge into skill. Co-curricular service-learning is the hallmark of the American Humanics approach, resulting in success for graduates and the communities they serve.
Coursework is only one avenue to achieve competencies. The American Humanics program, with the help of our American Humanics partners, also includes an array of on-the-job and student association activities that provide opportunities for students to develop and strengthen their knowledge, skills, leadership abilities, and understanding of the nonprofit sector.
Participating in professional and social functions allows the student to develop organizational and networking skills that will serve them well in the years ahead. The annual American Humanics Management Institute (AHMI) is an excellent opportunity for junior and senior students to network with hundreds of other AH students, meet executives representing America's largest and most influential nonprofit organizations, and participate in agency simulations, workshops, job interviews and career fairs. Additional opportunities for networking include the AH Student Association, student retreats, executive seminars, community service, fundraising events and an awards and recognition event.
Professional Leadership Experience
PLE is comprised of at least 200 volunteer or paid leadership hours in activities that align with the American Humanics Certification Competencies. These hours provide the student with the opportunity to explore their chosen career field, to discover their unique passion and prepare for a future as a nonprofit professional within the youth and human service career field. Hours are accumulated throughout the activity's planning, implementation and evaluation phases. These hours must be completed before enrolling in NLM 463 Senior Internship (AH) and will be documented on the student's AH/ASU transcript.
Fall/Spring Retreat
These student developed and implemented practicum are an example of well-organized, volunteer-operated programs, that launch the new semester, introduce, orient and assimilate new students into the program, develop personal and professional skills, and involve nonprofit youth and human service professionals, ASU faculty and staff with students Retreat learning activities include: American Humanics orientation, personal and professional development workshops, alumni round tables, teambuilding and social functions.
Annual Recognition Dinner
Staff, Students, Parents, Alumni, Nonprofit Executives, and Board Members are invited to a celebration developed and implemented by students to recognize the accomplishments of American Humanics at ASU and honor the graduating seniors.
American Humanics Student Association at ASU (AHSA/ASU)
Active participation in the AH/ASU is required of all certificate seeking students. The Student Association activities help students develop and strengthen their knowledge, skills, leadership abilities, and understanding of the nonprofit sector as they manage their own mini-nonprofit organization.
Professional Development Workshops
Informal educational and networking events developed and implemented by students twice a year to encourage student and alumni interaction.
