Develop strategic partnerships to create social impact now and into the future through a signature design thinking approach.
Program Overview
Partnerships within the social impact sector are at an inflection point that requires a different mindset to succeed. While the number and types of partnerships are at an all-time high, impact can be harder to achieve despite the many new models. Corporations partnering with nonprofits, purpose brands, public-private partnerships, cross-sector collaborations, the rise of shared value, strategic alliances, and branded cause partnerships—these are just some of the approaches that make partnership work exciting, but also increasingly challenging to break through the clutter in an effort to create partnerships that matter.
It’s time for interventions that infuse creativity and innovation at key stages in the process of partnership development. This program will equip you with the mindset that, despite the codification of process and strategy, partnership development is still essentially driven by people. How do you tap into that human element by using both sides of your brain as the steward of a social impact partnership?
With curriculum developed and taught by Georgetown University’s Center for Social Impact Communication, the Online Certificate in Social Impact Partnerships is a three-day intensive program that teaches current and prospective partnership professionals of all levels how to apply human-centered design thinking, powered by empathy, to create and sustain partnerships. You'll walk away with the tools needed to successfully develop partnerships, but also the perspective and confidence to apply it to your own situation, using your strengths as a current or prospective partnership professional dedicated to creating social impact in the world.
Upon successful completion of the program, you’ll be able to:
- Distinguish the characteristics of various partnership models used within the social impact sector
- Understand how design thinking can be used as an intervention in the process of social impact partnership development
- Apply this signature approach to a current partnership challenge facing society or an organization
- Create a partnership action plan that reflects your human strengths and the challenges you may encounter as a social impact professional, now and into the future
Many partnership professionals are looking to create social impact at scale—but how can we strategically implement meaningful partnerships that catalyze change? Georgetown’s Certificate in Social Impact Partnerships is a must for those looking to transform their partnerships through focusing on community, collaboration, and the creation of shared value.
Elizabeth Truffa
Certificate in Social Impact Partnerships
Curriculum & Schedule
Our classes are taught online in real-time by Georgetown instructors using Zoom video conferencing. They are designed to provide our professional learners with a high-quality, engaging educational experience. For more information, please contact Program Support at pdcprograms@georgetown.edu.
In order to receive a Certificate in Social Impact Partnerships, you must successfully complete all three modules, for a total of 2.4 Continuing Education Units (CEUs), which is equivalent to 24.0 contact hours.
- Module & Day 1 Immersion: The Evolution and Stages in the Process of Partnership Development (Required)
- Module & Day 2 Workshop: Interventions in Social Impact Partnership Development using Design Thinking (Required)
- Module & Day 3 Customization: New Perspectives and Trends to Inform Your Personal Partnership Action Plan (Required)
What Is Live Online Learning?
Live online instruction is enhanced by incorporating various instructional practices and technology tools. Features such as Zoom video conferencing, breakout rooms, and chat allow for real-time interaction and collaboration among learners. Tools like Google Docs, Slides, Sheets, and Canvas Groups facilitate teamwork and information sharing within the learning community. Polling, surveys, and threaded discussion boards promote active engagement and the expression of opinions. It is important to foster social respect, privacy, and incorporate Jesuit values to create a supportive and inclusive online environment. By utilizing these practices and tools effectively, live online instruction can be engaging, interactive, and conducive to meaningful learning experiences.
How to Register
Please review the refund policies in our Student Handbook before completing your registration.
Degree Requirement
You must hold a bachelor's degree or the equivalent in order to enroll in our certificate programs.
Registration
This certificate is an open-enrollment program. No application is required. Click the "Register Now" button, select your courses, and then click "Add to Cart". Course registration is complete when your payment is processed. You will receive a confirmation email when your payment is received. Please retain the payment confirmation message for your records.
You can combine on-campus and online courses (if available) to complete your certificate. Depending on the certificate program, we may suggest taking courses in a specific order, but this is not a requirement.
Most students register for all courses at the same time and complete their certificate within a few months. However, you may choose to register for courses one by one over time. Once you begin a certificate, you have up to two years from the time you start your first course to complete all required courses.
International Students
International students who enter the U.S. on a valid visa are eligible to enroll in certificate courses. However, Georgetown University cannot sponsor student visas for noncredit professional certificate programs.
A TOEFL examination is not required for non-native English speakers but students are expected to read, write, and comprehend English at the graduate level to fully participate in and gain from the program.
Students from most countries may register for our online certificate programs; however, due to international laws, residents of certain countries are prohibited from registering.
Tuition & Funding
The total tuition for this program is $2,995. All course materials are included with the tuition.
Funding
Noncredit professional certificates do not qualify for federal financial aid, scholarships, grants, or needs-based aid. However, several finance and funding options do exist, as listed below.
Some employers offer funding for employee education or professional development. If an employer guarantees payment for employee education and training, Georgetown will accept an Intent to Pay form. If you are using employer sponsorship or training authorizations, you must submit an Intent to Pay form with your registration.
If your employer will pay for your tuition, select “Third-Party Billing” as your method of payment when you register for courses online. Please submit an Intent to Pay form indicating that your employer or another third party should be billed for tuition. Invoices will not be generated without this form on file.
Federal agencies may:
- Pay training and education expenses from appropriated funds or other available funds for training needed to support program functions
- Reimburse employees for all or part of the costs of training or education
- Share training and education costs with employees
- Pay travel expenses for employees assigned to training
- Adjust an employee's normal work schedule for educational purposes not related to official duties
Georgetown accepts Standard Form-182 (SF-182) for training authorizations from the federal government.
*Federal employees should ask the appropriate budget officer about training budgets available.
Eligible Georgetown employees may use their Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) benefits to fund 90% of the certificate program tuition—employees will be invoiced for the remaining 10% of tuition and must pay any other charges associated with their certificate program. Employees using TAP benefits may work directly with the HR Benefits Office to ensure payment prior to the start of any course. This payment option is only valid if registration occurs at least 10–14 business days prior to the start date of the first course. Any fees incurred due to course withdrawal are the student’s responsibility and are not funded by Georgetown University TAP. For questions regarding TAP benefits, please contact the HR/Benefits Office at tapbenefits@georgetown.edu or (202) 687-2500.
The professional certificate programs offer an interest-free payment plan for certificate programs that are more than one month in duration and for which the total tuition is greater than or equal to $4,000. The payment plan is structured in the following manner:
- Payment #1: A down payment of 25% of the total tuition balance must be paid online (within 72 hours after you register and select Payment Plan) via the Noncredit Student Portal. Please submit your down payment as soon as possible.
- Payments #2, #3, and #4: Your remaining balance will be due in three (3) equal monthly installments beginning 30 calendar days after your down payment is processed. Your monthly payments must be paid via credit card in the Noncredit Student Portal. You will be able to access each invoice and payment due date in your student account.
- PLEASE NOTE: Automatic Payment Service is not available. You must make each subsequent payment via the Noncredit Student Portal.
A number of tuition benefits are available through the Department of Veterans Affairs and under various parts of the GI Bill®. Please visit the Resources for Military Students page for additional information and instructions.
While you may choose to complete your certificate program in one semester, many programs (but not all) allow up to two years to complete all requirements. As a result, you may choose to register for required and elective courses over several semesters to spread out the cost of tuition over time. We generally offer every course in a program each semester, so you'll have many opportunities to enroll in required and elective courses within the two-year time frame.
Tuition Discounts
Only one tuition discount may be applied at the time of registration. Tuition discounts cannot be combined. Tuition discounts are not applied retroactively. Please contact pdcprograms@georgetown.edu with any questions.
Employees of Boeing receive a 10% tuition discount on select programs and courses
Employees of companies that belong to the EdAssist education network may receive a 10% tuition discount on select programs and courses. Contact EdAssist directly to find out if you qualify.
Total tuition for the Certificate in Social Impact Partnerships program is $2,995.
Still Have Questions?
Certificate Admissions and Enrollment
Email: itlprograms@georgetown.edu
Phone: (202) 687-7000
Student Accounts
Email: noncreditaccounts@georgetown.edu
Phone: (202) 687-7696
Certifying Military Benefits
Email: pdcvabenefits@georgetown.edu
Phone: (202) 784-7321
