Online Courses

Online Courses

Advance your career through virtual learning.

Whether you're in finance, human resources, development or another school leadership role, NBOA offers a variety of courses and formats to suit your needs and help you achieve your goals.

Learning Platform

  • Courses are taught in an online learning management system, which places greater responsibility on the learner than traditional professional development programs.
  • Classes are conducted asynchronously, so there is no single time each week when participants are required to be online.
  • Participants will connect and collaborate with each other through several forms of interactive media, including short videos and discussion boards.

Coursework

  • Online courses range from 1 to 4 weeks depending on the topic.
  • Participants should commit to spending approximately 3 to 5 hours on the class each week.
  • Assignments for each week open on Monday morning, and should be completed by the following Sunday evening.
  • Interaction is most effective when the entire class is working through the current week of each course; participation is self-scheduled, however, and a grace period is offered for catching up on missed course material.

Faculty

Courses are taught by content experts from NBOA, independent schools and business partners, who facilitate discussions and provide guidance and resources.

Continuing Education

Online courses are pre-approved for SHRM and/or HRCI credit. Specific credit information can be found by selecting a course below.

Certificate of Completion

Registrants must complete the program and earn the Course Completion badge in order to obtain a Certificate of Completion.

Group Discount

NBOA offers a discount for multiple participants from the same school or organization registering for the same online course. The first participant registers at the full course price. Beginning with the second registrant, each additional participant from the same school or organization will receive a $125 discount. The discount is automatically applied at checkout.

Questions? Email programs@nboa.org or call 202-407-7140.

Leadership

Budget Meets Mission: School Finance for Non-Business Leaders

Understand the independent school business model, learn to be a good steward of your school's financial resources and work more collaboratively around financial issues.
Duration: 3 weeks | Members: $530.00 | Nonmembers: $740.00

Upcoming Dates

Oct 26 - Nov 13, 2026

Register

Engaging in Difficult Conversations with Employees

Learn to engage with employees in an empathetic manner while still clearly conveying important information and safeguarding your school from liability.
Duration: 2 weeks | Members: $425.00 | Nonmembers: $595.00

Upcoming Dates

Oct 5 - 16, 2026

Register

Enterprise Risk Management for Independent Schools

This course will provide the frameworks, tools, and strategies needed to identify, prioritize, and mitigate risks while strengthening decision-making, resilience, and mission-focused leadership.
Duration: 3 weeks | Members: $530.00 | Nonmembers: $740.00

Upcoming Dates

Oct 26 - Nov 13, 2026

Register

Stewarding Donor Dollars: Financial Principles for Contributions

Learn best practices related to gift reporting, compliance and donor stewardship, as well as how to develop a successful and strategic partnership between the financial and development functions at your school.
Duration: 3 weeks | Members: $530.00 | Nonmembers: $740.00

Upcoming Dates

Oct 5 - 23, 2026

Register

The Business and Art of Financial Aid

Learn tactical best practices related to the financial aid process to enhance the strategic partnership between the business and admissions offices and ensure long-term success.
Duration: 3 weeks | Members: $530.00 | Nonmembers: $740.00

Upcoming Dates

None at this time.

Finance

Measuring Financial Health with the Composite Financial Index

Calculate your school's Composite Financial Index (CFI) score — a tool trusted in higher education for decades — and learn how you can use the score and its 4 underlying ratios to think strategically about your school's financial strengths and weaknesses.
Duration: 2 weeks | Members: $425.00 | Nonmembers: $595.00

Upcoming Dates

Nov 30 - Dec 11, 2026

Register

Nonprofit Accounting Fundamentals for Independent Schools

Learn the fundamentals of nonprofit accounting and reporting by exploring governance structures, internal control strategies, financial statements and compliance essentials.
Duration: 2 weeks | Members: $425.00 | Nonmembers: $595.00

Upcoming Dates

Nov 2 - 13, 2026

Register

Human Resources

Building Sustainable Hiring Systems

Discover school-specific strategies that will attract and retain faculty and staff who galvanize your school’s mission.
Duration: 2 weeks | Members: $425.00 | Nonmembers: $595.00

Upcoming Dates

Oct 26 - Nov 6, 2026

Register

Human Resources Fundamentals for Independent Schools

Learn how to address day-to-day human resources challenges such as evaluation and termination, FMLA, the ADA and employee classification.
Duration: 3 weeks | Members: $530.00 | Nonmembers: $740.00

Upcoming Dates

None at this time.

Payroll Fundamentals

Learn about best practices related to payroll including employee classification and overtime pay, deductions and taxability and the complexity of calculating a faculty member’s final paycheck when they leave mid-year.
Duration: 1 week | Members: $320.00 | Nonmembers: $450.00

Upcoming Dates

Nov 30 - Dec 4, 2026

Register

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