Nonprofit Management (Grad)

Graduate

Business and Economics Department

Evelyn Spratt, Ph.D., Interim Dean, School of Arts, Sciences and Business
Leslie Korb, PhD., Chair

Campuses

Main Campus

Summary

Nonprofit organizations strengthen, inspire, and protect our communities, heritage, and world as well as offer unique challenges to their leaders and managers. Notre Dame of Maryland University is built on a foundation of ethics and mission and offers two graduate Programs of Study in Nonprofit Management: the Master of Arts degree in Nonprofit Management and the Graduate Certificate of Leadership of Nonprofit Organizations. These Programs combine business methods, management theory, and social commitment to prepare dedicated individuals to serve as effective leaders in the nonprofit sector.

The Master of Arts in Nonprofit Management degree provides middle- and upper-level managers the opportunity to learn practical strategies, grounded in business theory, in an atmosphere of frank exchange and interaction with other nonprofit practitioners. The Graduate Certificate of Leadership of Nonprofit Organizations is designed for those who seek the challenge of graduate-level exploration but not necessarily a full degree.

Nonprofit professionals explore the rapidly evolving environment of nonprofits, responding to social and policy challenges, funding stream patterns, and technological advancements. They examine the changing relationship between nonprofits and government, the evolving strategic alliances among nonprofit and for-profit organizations. This curriculum prepares people of commitment to manage the “business” of the mission-based organization effectively and efficiently. These courses guide nonprofit professionals in skill development that crosses the broad range of management responsibilities of the skills necessary to develop strategic direction, seek funding streams, manage staff and volunteers, evaluate finances, and evaluate programs. The Program is grounded in practical experience, and students are given the opportunity to apply their knowledge to real-life challenges in every course. In the Capstone Project, students have the opportunity to integrate the theoretical and practical experiences into a project or case study of the student's own design.

Accreditation

Accreditation Council for Business Schools & Programs (ACBSP)

ACBSP promotes excellence in business education. It focuses on strong student learning outcomes and teaching excellence.

Post-Baccalaureate

Summary

Notre Dame of Maryland University offers the Post-baccalaureate Certificate in Leadership of Nonprofit Organizations to those students who desire further professional qualifications but are not seeking a full Master's program, or who already have earned a graduate degree. This program enables participants to develop the leadership skills necessary in today's nonprofit sector and is also suitable for committed nonprofit board members who wish to enhance their understanding of the nonprofit sector.

Courses taken for the Certificate may be applied to the Master of Arts in Nonprofit Management. For the Certificate Program, no graduate credits may be transferred from other accredited institutions.

Degrees and Certificates

Courses

NPM-502: Introduction to Nonprofit Management

Credits 3.00
This course is designed to provide current and future nonprofit managers and leaders with the competencies needed to run effective nonprofit organizations, which include: Legal and Regulatory Contexts; Leadership and Governance; Human Resource Management and Volunteerism; Fundraising; Planning and Evaluation; Information Management; Advocacy, Public Policy, and Social Change; Communications, Marketing, and Public Relations; Financial Management and Social Entrepreneurship. Course projects and discussions expand students' management skills, analytical tools, and knowledge of nonprofit management core competencies. Students take the perspectives of nonprofit managers, volunteers, board members, policy makers, donors, and clients and complete a consulting project for a nonprofit organization. [3 credits ] NOTE: take within first 15 credits of the program. Co-requisite NPM-545.

NPM-560: Nonprofit Law and Ethics

Credits 3.00
Examines the legal issues related to the creation and management of nonprofits. Analyzes a range of ethical issues and dilemmas inherent in the nonprofit arena. Learners explore these issues through a series of practical applications. Prerequisite: NPM-502. [ 3 credits ]

NPM-698: Independent Study in Non-Profit Mgt

Credits 3.00
Provides an opportunity for independent graduate level work on an approved topic in Non-Profit Management. Involves Research under the guidance of a faculty member of the department. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. [ 3 credits ]