Online Master’s Programs In Nonprofit Management
Updated August 24, 2023
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A degree in nonprofit management trains graduates for careers as nonprofit directors, nonprofit financial managers, and fundraising managers. In these roles, professionals increase their responsibilities and earning potential. For example, social and community service managers earn a median annual salary of over $67,000 with much faster than average projected job growth, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Our ranking lists the most affordable online master's in nonprofit management programs. Prospective learners can use the list to identify the best fit for their budget and career goals. This page also introduces common nonprofit management master's degree courses and scholarships for nonprofit management students.
AffordableCollegesOnline.org is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.
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Questions Around Master's in Nonprofit Management Programs
Q. What can I do with a master's in nonprofit management?
A master's in nonprofit management prepares graduates for roles including nonprofit director, nonprofit financial manager, or fundraising manager. Graduates also pursue leadership roles in nonprofit and public sector organizations.
Q. What degree is best for nonprofit work?
A nonprofit management master's degree offers focused training for management-level roles in the nonprofit sector. During the degree, enrollees study strategic planning, resource development, and nonprofit leadership.
Q. What is nonprofit management?
Nonprofit management trains professionals for leadership roles in nonprofit organizations. The field includes financial training, organizational leadership skills, and fundraising management.
Q. Can you make a living working for a nonprofit?
Yes; the average nonprofit annual salary exceeds $58,000, according to March 2021 PayScale data. Directors, managers, and other supervisory professionals earn even higher salaries.
Why Get a Degree in Nonprofit Management?
A degree in nonprofit management gives graduate students advanced training for nonprofit leadership roles. A master's degree offers several personal and professional benefits.
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Specializations
In a nonprofit management master's degree, learners specialize in areas including financial management, organizational leadership, and policy advocacy. These specializations train graduates for focused career paths. -
Flexibility
An online nonprofit management program prioritizes flexibility. Degree-seekers arrange their coursework around other responsibilities, including work. The format makes it easier to complete a master's degree. -
Career Advancement
A master's degree offers leadership training. Graduate training prepares nonprofit professionals for roles such as nonprofit manager, fundraising manager, and nonprofit finance manager. -
Accessibility
The distance learning format makes a master's in nonprofit management more accessible. Instead of relocating, prospective applicants research top programs in their focus area and enroll from their home state. -
Increased Earning Potential
Professionals with a master's degree earn higher salaries than bachelor's degree-holders. A nonprofit management master's degree often yields higher earning potential.
Courses in Nonprofit Management
A master's in nonprofit management prepares graduates with the knowledge and skills necessary for nonprofit leadership positions. The curriculum covers topics such as nonprofit leadership, nonprofit financial management, and fundraising management. Graduate students learn about strategic planning and resource development.
Nonprofit management degree-seekers may specialize their training by choosing electives in nonprofit finance, fundraising, or public affairs. Enrollees may complete an internship or master's project to gain real-world experience. This section introduces common courses during a master's degree in nonprofit management. While the exact courses vary by school, many programs include the following options.
With a master's degree, nonprofit management professionals move into leadership roles, including director and supervisory positions. This course covers nonprofit leadership theories, organizational leadership skills, and the practical application of leadership training. Learners develop a leadership style based on their background and career goals.Nonprofit Leadership
Topics in this course include learning financial rules for nonprofits, reporting financial documents, and planning fiscal resources. Students learn about management control systems, financial terminology, and financial accounting. The course builds strong analytical skills while preparing graduates for financial management positions.Nonprofit Financial Management
Fundraising managers help nonprofit organizations raise funds and operate. This course examines approaches to fundraising, including the best practices and techniques for fundraising managers. Students also study fundraising campaigns, donor events, organizational management, and ethical issues. The class prepares graduates for careers as fundraising managers.Fundraising Management
Strategic planning courses prepare graduate students for leadership and managerial roles in nonprofit organizations. Learners examine organizational missions, stakeholder communications, and the strategic planning process. The class examines challenges in strategic planning. Enrollees learn how to develop strategic plans based on the organization's needs and goals.Strategic Planning
Nonprofit organizations rely on resource development to obtain financial support and manage their financial resources. In this course, learners study philanthropy and development, including the process of finding sources, cultivating donors, and soliciting donations. Graduate students design a resource development plan to build career-ready skills.Resource Development
Certifications and Licensure for Nonprofit Management
Professional certifications help nonprofit management graduates stand out in the job market. Professionals gain specialized skills by pursuing endorsement as a certified nonprofit professional, project management professional, or certified fundraising professional. A master's degree in nonprofit management meets the education requirement for these certifications, which also require an examination.
Scholarships for Nonprofit Management Students
Nonprofit management students qualify for multiple scholarship opportunities, including scholarships for general business degrees. Professional associations, private foundations, and other organizations offer scholarships to support nonprofit management degree-seekers. In addition to the following opportunities, learners should research scholarships based on their university, state, or career goals.
| Scholarship | Amount | Who Can Apply |
|---|---|---|
Foundation for Community Association Research Byron Hanke Fellowship |
$3,000-$5,000 | The Foundation offers the fellowship that supports graduate students working on development and management issues related to communities or community associations. Applicants must attend an accredited institution. |
Professional Convention Management Association Continuing Education Scholarship |
$3,500 | Graduate students pursuing careers in the business events industry qualify for the scholarship. In addition to a tuition award, recipients receive PCMA membership for one year. |
Prospanica Scholarship |
Up to $5,000 | The Prospanica Foundation supports Hispanic or Latino students earning a business degree, including nonprofit management graduate students. Applicants must demonstrate a minimum 3.0 GPA and hold Prospanica membership. |
Most Affordable Online Master's in Nonprofit Management Programs
Genevieve Carlton
Genevieve Carlton holds a Ph.D. in history from Northwestern University and earned tenure as a history professor at the University of Louisville. An award-winning historian and writer, Genevieve has published multiple scholarly articles and a book with the University of Chicago Press. She currently works as a freelance writer and consultant.
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