Now Accepting Applications for 2024

Fuel your mission

Conquer the challenges in our increasingly complex nonprofit environment

CFRE 2022 Approved Provider LogoWhether you are ready to move up in your development department or interested in exploring fundraising as a career, hone the essential skills needed to succeed.

Emphasis on reflective practice, leadership, and a social justices approach provides the essential difference between a good fundraiser – and a great one.

Our specialized curriculum, the first of its kind in Washington State, meets the growing demand for effective fundraisers and makes high quality fundraising education accessible across the region.

Learn to lead for lasting impact

Approach resource development through the lenses of leadership, diversity, ethics, and social justice

Photo of Zoey Ferenczy with text Designed for working professionals

Online/On-campus model (3 Saturdays each quarter)

Faculty are both scholars and successful professional fundraisers, who combine emerging research on giving and philanthropy with effective practice.

Continuing education credits and preparation for  widely-recognized Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) credential.

Photo of three women students and text You will learn to

Instill and lead a culture of philanthropy.

Execute successful campaigns that provide resources and engage stakeholders.

Build and diversify your fundraising team.

Fundraise with authenticity and equity in mind.

Michael Chew and text: your investment

Can be completed in 9 months.

12 credit hours.

$729 per credit

9-month total tuition cost is $8,748 plus student fees.

Curriculum

Advance to the Master of Nonprofit Leadership; when you complete the certificate program, you may apply 9 credits toward that degree.

Priority Application Deadlines 2023

February 1: Spring Quarter and August 1: Fall Quarter

Admissions Requirements

  • Completed Application for Graduate Admissions.
  • Waived: Nonrefundable $55 application fee as specified by Graduate Admissions (waived for Seattle University alumni, employees, and national service alumni).
  • Evidence of a four-year equivalent bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution. Applicants earning a bachelor’s degree from a non-graded institution must submit official GRE scores in lieu of GPA.
  • Official transcripts of all post-secondary educational institutions attended in the last 90 quarter/60 semester credits of the bachelor's degree, including any transfer credit earned during this time, and any post-baccalaureate course work. A minimum grade point average of 3.00 (GPA) is required. In special cases, those with a GPA less than a 3.00 will be admitted on a probationary basis.
  • Current résumé reflecting one year of relevant professional experience in a nonprofit organization preferred.
  • List of two recommenders with name, title, mailing address, phone number, and e-mail address who can comment on your professional abilities and potential for fundraising leadership.
  • If English is not the applicant’s native language, official English proficiency scores meeting the university’s entrance requirements must be submitted. See policy 2008-01 in Admissions Policies for details.

Tuition and Financial Aid

Tuition for the 2023-24 academic year is $722 per credit hour (subject to change by Seattle University Board of Trustees). The Graduate Certificate in Fundraising Leadership is a 12-credit program; the total cost for tuition over the 9 months of the program is $8,664. Tuition rates for 2024-25 have not yet been determined. Additional student fees apply.

For more information about financial aid options, contact Student Financial Services.


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Contact Us

  • Ashley Miller, EdD

    Ashley Miller, EdD

    Senior Admissions Counselor
    Email
    (206) 296-5774

  • Nicole Plastino

    Nicole Plastino

    Graduate Program Coordinator
    Email
    (206) 296-5493

  • Elizabeth Dale, PhD

    Elizabeth Dale, PhD

    Program Director and Associate Professor
    Email
    (206) 296-5484