Master of Nonprofit Leadership

Nonprofit Leadership - Integrates theory, practice and skills on topics critical to functioning as a leader in a nonprofit organization. Students will examine their own leadership ideas, styles, and behaviors in relation to general principles and to their own organizational contexts.

Fundamentals of the Nonprofit Sector - Discusses the development and function of the nonprofit sector as a social institution, both in the U.S. and internationally. Reviews multiple disciplinary approaches to the sector including history, law, economics, sociology, anthropology, critical theory, and philanthropy.

Nonprofit Policy and Advocacy - Understanding how nonprofit organizations can work productively with governments, businesses, and other nonprofits to develop and maintain sound public policies that serve the interests of the organization and their constituents, framing public problems and developing policy proposals, building effective partnerships and advocacy campaigns, and complying with lobbying regulations.

Nonprofit Governance - Examines how nonprofits are governed and current issues in nonprofit governance. Analyzes nonprofit board and executive director roles in leading change, decision processes, and legal and ethical behavior. Explores theories and strategies to understand and improve nonprofit organizations’ performance and accountability for sector leadership.

Planning and Evaluation - Study and practice of planning and evaluation for nonprofit organizations, programs, and cross-sector collaborations. Topics include traditional and emerging approaches to strategic thinking, forecasting, and decision making; theories of change; evidence-based practice; equity and ethical evaluation; and promoting a learning organization.

Financial  Management - Planning, reporting and controlling of fiscal resources and overall management control systems, budgeting, terminology and principles of financial accounting and program evaluation, analysis of financial statements, responsibility and program structure, internal controls and audit responsibility, managerial financial controls and pricing.

Nonprofit Marketing and Communications - Considers multiple strategies for marketing to support an organization’s mission, developing and implementing a marketing plan, ethics in persuasive communications, working with the media, and tying these functions to the ability of the organization to attract financial support.

Social Justice in the Third Sector - Social justice as a key component of the third sector. Exploration of historical and contemporary frameworks for social justice in the U.S. and globally, and application of those frameworks to nonprofits and philanthropy. Focus on structural inequality, power, privilege, and social location. Interaction with practitioners working for social change.

Fundraising and Philanthropy - Overview of fundraising theories, techniques and practices for nonprofit organizations, and the history and development of philanthropy. Topics include motivations for giving, ethical concerns, donor research, types of funding sources, annual giving, campaigns, events, solicitation techniques and channels, new mediums, and the increasing impact of global philanthropy.

Practicum - Integrates and applies the nonprofit theories being learned in the course work with the realities of the workplace. Provides students the opportunity to apply their knowledge in a variety of nonprofit skill areas within local nonprofit organizations. 1 credit/quarter in Year 2. Learn more here.

Leading Staff and Volunteers - Best practices relating to staff and volunteer management and motivation. Focusing on skills necessary for successful leadership in nonprofit organizations such as: stress management, communications, power and influence, conflict management, diversity, equity, and inclusion. In addition, the course will emphasize the opportunities and challenges with staff and volunteer recruitment, engagement, and retention.

Applied Research Methods - Prepares students to design and conduct effective research projects relevant to nonprofit organizations and the nonprofit sector. Topics include the processes of social research, the uses of theory, distinctions between quantitative and qualitative research, research ethics and the protection of human subjects, data collection and data analysis. Students will learn how to select the best methods for the issue or problem being researched, develop a research plan for the program capstone, and identify how to develop effective research reports and communications.

Practicum - Integrates and applies the nonprofit theories being learned in the course work with the realities of the workplace. Provides students the opportunity to apply their knowledge in a variety of nonprofit skill areas within local nonprofit organizations. 1 credit/quarter in Year 2. Learn more here.

Elective Option (3 credits) - Choose from Nonprofit Leadership Courses such as Grantwriting and Grant Management, Individual Giving, or a course from another University department as approved by your advisor.

Practicum - Integrates and applies the nonprofit theories being learned in the course work with the realities of the workplace. Provides students the opportunity to apply their knowledge in a variety of nonprofit skill areas within local nonprofit organizations. 1 credit/quarter in Year 2. Learn more here.

Capstone - Independent research analyzing and proposing resolution to a significant nonprofit leadership issue or management problem that synthesizes, through application, a wide variety of the leadership management skills and knowledge taught throughout the program. The course requires completion of a physical product and an oral presentation

Elective Option (3 credits) - Choose from Nonprofit Leadership Courses such as Grantwriting and Grant Management, Individual Giving, or a course from another University department as approved by your advisor.

When completing the Master of Nonprofit Leadership program, students should possess specific core competencies in certain areas including:

• Leadership - Demonstrate understanding of theories of ethical and values based leadership.
• Foundations of Sector; Governance - Articulate broad understanding of history, development and function of philanthropic and nonprofit organizations.
• Visioning and Planning - Demonstrate ability to identify need, analyze opportunities, articulate vision and develop appropriate strategies to address key social issues.
• Communication - Write and speak in ways that inspire diverse audiences to take collective action for a more just and humane world.
• Resources - Demonstrate ability to select and utilize strategies needed to acquire and allocate all resources necessary to accomplish an organization's mission.