MA in Nonprofit Management
Johns Hopkins University's Master of Arts in Nonprofit Management program provides students with the leadership and organizational skills needed to succeed in the nonprofit sector, both domestically and abroad. The MA in Nonprofit Management program is made up of ten asynchronous online courses (six core courses and four electives). Courses focus on nonprofit leadership, volunteer management, strategic planning, project management, monitoring and evaluation, resource development, social enterprise, and international mission-based work.
Students complete their studies with the Nonprofit Capstone Seminar, in which they engage in extensive research. For example students can: a) conduct an original research study based on a relevant issue or challenge of nonprofit management; b) execute a research project that will contribute substantially to the nonprofit sector or to a specific nonprofit organization in some capacity; or, c) produce a research-based report that addresses a significant policy issue for the nonprofit sector in the US or abroad. Students are encouraged to identify a capstone idea as they move through the program and have the option to draw from a major assignment from a course taken while in the program. All capstones require a 30-page, well-researched, and academically informed final paper.
Admissions Criteria for All Advanced Academic Programs
PROGRAM-SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS
In addition to the materials and credentials required for all programs, the Master of Arts in Nonprofit Management program also requires applicants to hold a baccalaureate degree in a study area relevant to the curriculum. Applicants are accepted to the program on the understanding that they have sufficient background in a relevant field, either through their previous degree or through relevant professional experience, to be able to complete the program. Applicants must also provide:
- Resume
- A Statement of Purpose: Please provide a statement, up to one page in length, describing your personal background and/or a part of your life experience that has shaped you or your goal to pursue an advanced degree in Nonprofit Management. Feel free to elaborate on personal challenges and opportunities that have influenced your decision to pursue a graduate degree at Johns Hopkins.
- Two Letters of Recommendation: These should be from individuals who are familiar with your educational experiences or professional background.
Program Requirements
Students in the MA in Nonprofit Management must complete a total of 10 courses:
- Five required core courses
- One customizable core course
- Four elective courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses - Required: | 15 | |
| Fundamentals of Nonprofits and Nonprofit Management | ||
| Financial Management and Analysis in Nonprofits | ||
| Nonprofit Governance & Executive Leadership | ||
| Organizational Leadership and Ethics in NGO Management | ||
| NGO Management Capstone Seminar | ||
| Core Course - Customizable: | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Resource Development and Marketing in Nonprofits | ||
| Institutional Fundraising: Raising Maximum Dollars from Government Agencies, Corporations and Foundations | ||
| Electives | ||
| Select four of the following: | 12 | |
| Leadership Skills in the 21st Century | ||
| Principles of Nonprofit Law & Compliance Management | ||
| Negotiating as a Leadership Skill | ||
| Introduction to Advocacy and Lobbying | ||
| Mission Meets Profit: Building a Social Enterprise | ||
| Contemporary Politics of Latin America | ||
| Project Management for NGOs | ||
| Economic Growth:The Politics of Development in Asia, Africa and Beyond | ||
| Monitoring & Evaluation for Nonprofits/NGOs | ||
| International NGOs in Civil Society & Development | ||
| Communication.org:Not-for-Profits in the Digital Age | ||
| Corporate Social Responsibility Campaigns | ||
| Total Credits | 30 | |
Learning Outcomes
Graduates of the program should be able to:
- Examine the most critical dimensions of the nonprofit sector using history, theories, data, and relevant shifts over time.
- Synthesize the roles nonprofits play in society, including international non-governmental organizations and broader civil society organizations, to distinguish among charitable, philanthropic, member-serving, and advocacy organizations.
- Analyze specific issues related to the management of organizations in the nonprofit sector, including strategic planning, board governance, volunteer and staff management, program development, monitoring and evaluation, and developing partnerships, among others.
- Evaluate leadership skills that are critical for effective decision-making, including ethical management and leadership practices specific to the needs of nonprofits and non-governmental organizations.
- Demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills that will enhance nonprofit management and empower communication with multiple constituencies.
- Evaluate emerging trends in the sector using pertinent data, published research, and reports, to inform practice and guide management among various types of nonprofits.