Sponsored Online Programs Available
Earning an Online Master’s Degree in Nonprofit Management
If you’ve earned a bachelor’s degree and are looking for a way to enhance your education while preparing yourself to pursue a career with a positive impact, you may be interested in earning a Non Profit Management Masters Degree Online. Nonprofit organizations numbered 1.4 million in 2012, and that doesn’t even include smaller groups or religious organizations.i These nonprofits included charitable organizations, business leagues, social welfare organizations, labor associations and fraternal beneficiary societies. i Positions within these groups might typically involve skills of communication or writing, plus leadership, problem-solving and organization. If that sounds like something you might excel in, read on for more information on how to earn a Non Profit Management Masters Degree Online.
Essentials of Master’s Degreesiii
The master’s degree might be the most popular second-cycle, or graduate, degree for students to earn in higher education in the United States. Typically requiring about two years of study beyond the bachelor’s degree level,iii it may generally feature high-level coursework.
There are, generally speaking, two major types of master’s degrees. The first, the research master’s degree, may typically be offered in academic subjects. It might feature a lot of research and writing as part of its coursework. Oftentimes, to graduate, a student may need to complete what is called a master’s thesis – a large-scale research project that may need to be presented and defended in front of a special committee. Research master’s degrees may generally have the titles Master of Arts or Master of Science.
The second major type of master's degree is the professional master’s degree. Generally offered in occupationally focused subjects, the aim of this degree is to prepare students to pursue a specific career. As such, the coursework may be tailored toward the roles and responsibilities of that career, and classes may not be as writing and research heavy. The degree titles for a professional master’s program such as Non Profit Management Masters Degree Online may directly relate to its field.
Potential Concentrations in Nonprofit Management Master’s Degree Programs
Beyond the school, program and degree type, there may be another way to narrow down your course of study within nonprofit management. Choosing a concentration allows students to take coursework in a specialized field within their discipline. While not every school may offer concentrations, some might, and you could come across options such as the ones listed below:
- International NGOs
- Sustainability
- Leadership
Be sure to reach out to the schools you’re considering to see what their options might be!
Coursework in a Non Profit Management Masters Degree Online
With so many degree types, concentration and different schools available, there may be numerous pathways to a nonprofit management masters. Since there’s no standard curriculum, you may be curious as to what types of courses might be available. While it’s impossible to say for certain, here are some potential examples of topics that may be covered:
- Leadership
- Organizational behavior
- Resource management
- Program evaluation
- Ethics and legal issues
- Recruiting
- Nonprofit practices
- Social justice
- Board governance
- Strategic planning
- Research methods
If you’re interested what specific options a program you’re considering might have, don’t hesitate to reach out to the school itself!
Career Pursuits in Nonprofit Management
After earning a master’s in nonprofit management, you may be able to pursue several different careers. One might be in the field of fundraising management.iv While the typical entry-level education might be a bachelor’s degree, many employers might prefer those with a master’s.iv These professionals may typically organize fundraisers, meet with high-level donors, and manage staff. In 2015, they earned a median annual salary of $104,140.iv
Getting Started
If you’re ready to take on the work of comparing and contrasting your nonprofit management master’s degree program options, feel free to start right here on eLearners.com. You can begin by checking out our sponsored listings, and don’t hesitate to reach out to any schools that catch your eye!
[i] urban.org/faq/index.cfm#general | [ii] bls.gov/ooh/management/public-relations-managers.htm#tab-4 | [vi] bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/mental-health-counselors-and-marriage-and-family-therapists.htm#tab-4 | [iii]ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/master.doc | [iv]bls.gov/ooh/management/public-relations-managers.htm#tab-1 |[v] bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/mental-health-counselors-and-marriage-and-family-therapists.htm#tab-2 |[x]bls.gov/ooh/management/public-relations-managers.htm#tab-2