Online Non-Profit Management Degrees

Online degrees in nonprofit management can help you start your career or take your career to the next level. The kind of learning involved in getting a certificate or a degree in nonprofit management lends itself to online tools. You can turn nearly any room into your classroom with some of the leading programs and faculty within virtual reach. Experience and connections matter, so working in the field, even as an intern or a volunteer, while earning your degree online makes sense.

FIND SCHOOLS

If you already have a business degree, adding a certificate with a specialization in nonprofit management may be a quick and inexpensive option. If you have a bachelor’s degree with nonprofit experience, and want to advance your career, you may wish to earn your master’s. If you are just starting out, earning your bachelor’s in business online with a major in nonprofit management is a good place to start.

The cutting-edge programs in this field offer more than classes online. In most cases, your online coursework will mirror what is taught on campus. Look for institutions that promote faculty involvement and group projects, and that facilitate networking through local chapters of associations, such as the National Council of Nonprofits. Online programs in nonprofit management that offer these benefits deserve special consideration.

Advice from an Expert

Below is an interview we conducted with John H. Graham , IV, CAE, the President and CEO of the American Society of Association Executives. In it, Mr. Graham discusses how a career in the nonprofit sector can provide much more than simply financial rewards, the vital role of associations and job opportunities for recent graduates.

School Profiles

Berkeley College: To earn your Bachelor of Science degree in nonprofit management through Berkeley’s online program, expect to devote about three to four years of full-time study to complete 180 credit hours. If you are balancing other commitments, the program will take longer. The program begins with liberal arts and general business classes. In your second year, you will start working on classes in your major, including introduction to nonprofit management, fundraising, legal and regulatory issues and resource development. You will work with faculty to find an internship that will last at least one semester and your work there will be formally evaluated.

University of Central Florida: This graduate certificate in nonprofit management is identical to the one offered on campus, and is designed for people who already have a bachelor’s degree. You will take 18 credit hours of graduate-level classes in nonprofit management, resource development, strategy and volunteerism. One benefit is that online students pay about half the cost of out-of-state tuition.

Northeastern University: This online Master of Science in nonprofit management is designed to create leaders for all kinds of nonprofits, from hospitals and foundations to religious organizations and charities. The program focuses on leadership and organizational success. You will study issues that top executives at nonprofits must potentially face, including legal and governance issues, fundraising and grant proposal writing, and promoting goals among supporters, regulators and the public. You need a bachelor’s degree and real-world work experience to be accepted to this program.

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