The program totals 33 credit hours, with 18 required, nine elective credits and six credits of internship. Core courses include development and management of nonprofit organizations, managing and developing human resources (including staff and volunteers) program and evaluation methods, fundraising and development, social entrepreneurship and organizational financial management. Internships are developed by the student in partnership with executives of nonprofit organizations and approved by the director of the program. Part-time students are welcome.
The specific structure and content of the curriculum include three major components:
1. Six core courses (3 hours each = 18 credit hours). You are required to take:
* MNML 7237 – Theory and Management of Nonprofit Organizations
* MNML 7226 – Evaluation of Professional Practice
* MNML 7060 – Fundraising & Development for NP Organizations
* MNML 7445 – Nonprofit Financial Management
* MNML 7320 – Managing Volunteers
* MNML 7957 – Grant Proposal Writing for Nonprofit Organizations
2. Three elective courses (3 hrs. each = 9 credit hours). Choose from among MNML or approved courses in other departments (ie: SSW, SPIA, etc.).*
- * MNML 7908 – Design Thinking for Social Innovation
* MNML 7947 – Social Entrepreneurship
* MNML 7977 – Nonprofit Leadership
* MNML 7330 – Managing Innovations in Organizations
* MNML 7010 – Special Topics in the Nonprofit Sector (Other)
3. Six credit hours of an internship (MNML 7055) including a portfolio and colloquium (3 hrs. each = 6 hours). Each 3 credits of internship require 300 hours in the field over the semester.
TOTAL NUMBER OF HOURS REQUIRED FOR THE DEGREE = 33
*Relevant courses from other departments may be selected to fulfill core course requirements with approval from the Program Director. Examples of such courses include: PADP 7210 – Introduction to the Nonprofit Sector: Theory and Practice; PADP 7900 – Managing Volunteers in the Public and Nonprofit Sectors.
Students’ choices of electives should include courses that are relevant to their academic interests and career aspirations regarding nonprofit management and leadership. You may use any of the above core courses or take courses in another department. Students are encouraged to talk with others about dimensions relevant to elective choices, such as course coverage, relevance to career goals, instructor expectations and teaching style, quality, etc. All electives must be graduate level and approved by the program director. Undergraduate level courses (numbered 5000 and below) may not be used on the final program of study for the MA degree.
The internship provides supervised opportunities for graduate students to develop skills and knowledge necessary for effective leadership in nonprofit organizations.
Students registering for 3 credit hours of MNNL 7055 (Internship) are required to spend 300 hours of time in the field on location at an internship site. This typically works out to 20 hours per week over the course of a 15-week semester (but will require a greater hourly commitment per week if taken during the summer). Most students register for two consecutive semesters of MNML 7055, at the same site or different sites depending on learning needs and goals. In the case where a block placement (6 credit hours in one semester) is warranted, students must obtain permission of the program director and be able to complete the required 600 hours of field work within the semester in which they are register. The same site may be used both semesters or different sites may be selected, depending on the student’s learning needs and goals. For more information see Field Internship.