Certification and Credentialing Programs

While many universities and organizations award a "certificate" upon completion of a certain course of study, these documents are not the same as "certification." Certification is a credential awarded by a recognized professional body after the candidate completes a variety of qualifying requirements. Often the courses and online seminars described elsewhere in this section can be submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements to become certified.

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United States

Certificate in Volunteer Management
Center for Non[profit Studies, Austin Community College

For the past decade, Kathleen McCleskey and Wendy Biro-Pollard have conducted highly rated, four-day Certificate in Volunteer Management courses at the Austin Community College, Center for Nonprofit Studies in Austin, Texas.

Each class includes lecture, class discussion, opportunities for creative problem solving, networking, and useful resources including tools and checklists drawn from Kathleen and Wendy’s careers as practitioners and nationally recognized volunteer engagement experts.

This course will benefit anyone in the nonprofit, association, and governmental sector who seeks to learn how to build a successful volunteer program.

Certified Administrator of Volunteer Services (CAVS)
Association for Healthcare Volunteer Resource Professionals (AHVRP)

CAVS is the volunteer management credential available through the Association for Healthcare Volunteer Resource Professionals (AHVRP), a personal membership group of the American Hospital Association.

Certified Director of Volunteer Services
Society for Healthcare Volunteer Leaders

Certification for Directors of Volunteer Services is open to members who are interested in reaching and maintaining greater educational competence and a higher level of professional standards.

Certified Volunteer Manager Program
University of Arkansas

The Certified Volunteer Manager (CVM) Program from Arkansas Public Administration Consortium is designed for administrators, directors, managers, and coordinators of volunteers and volunteer programs. The CVM program fosters professional excellence in volunteer management. Two years of volunteer management experience is preferred as a prerequisite to the program. Participants will have a full schedule of learning that includes topics such as:

  • Recruitment and Retention Strategies
  • Social trends that impact volunteer program development
  • Principles of volunteer screening, placing, training and supervising
  • Program evaluation, development of performance outcomes
  • Leadership, Building internal support for the volunteer program
  • Creating strong staff and volunteer partnerships
Council for Certification in Volunteer Administration

Individuals seeking to earn the CVA (Certified in Volunteer Administration) credential can enroll in this unique, international, performance-based program for individuals who lead and direct volunteer engagement in all types of organizations and settings. CCVA recognizes practitioners in the field of volunteer resources management who meet specified standards as measured through an exam and a written portfolio. This is a self-study process requiring no travel or special classes. Individuals with the equivalent of at least 3 years of experience leading and directing volunteers are eligible. 


 

Canada

Certificate in Volunteer Management
Ontario Learn and Sir Sandford Fleming College

This is a 4 course certificate, each course is approximately 15 weeks long and leads towards Certificate in Volunteer Management. This is a Ministry of Education approved course in Continuing Education. It is hosted/designed by Sir Sandford Fleming College but is offered through Ontario Learn which brings learning to many college/university students. However, anyone can register through any college under Ontario Learn. It is designed by and taught by Donna Lockhart (3 courses) and Sharon Alipanopolous (1 course) and offered totally online.

Certified Volunteer Manager Program (CVM)
Offered through the Arkansas Public Administration Consortium and the DHS Division of Volunteerism, since 1986

One of the first of its kind in the nation, it teaches administrators and managers of volunteer programs how to effectively manage their volunteer staff by providing them with leadership and management training designed specifically for the needs of the volunteer professional.