Master’s in Nonprofit Management Online
Get started on your Journey
The online, fast-track Master of Science in Nonprofit Management at Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU) is designed for aspiring staff directors, senior leaders, governing board members, or founders in the nonprofit sector. Graduates of the program are prepared to:
- Improve a nonprofit organization’s operational effectiveness
- Strengthen its capacity to fulfill its mission
- Enhance its talent management
Online Master of Science in Nonprofit Management
Program Overview
The Nonprofit Management Program emphasizes nonprofit organization best practices and the development of essential inter-personal soft skills. The affordable tuition, at approximately $15,000 for the entire program, was set in recognition of the crucial, values-based contributions of nonprofit workers and leaders who improve the quality of life and help meet the urgent needs of our communities.
OLLU’s Master of Science in Nonprofit Management is designed for busy professionals who want to lead a nonprofit organization with ethics and values and a mission-focused strategic plan. The program offers:
- An asynchronous, online format that provides maximum flexibility for individuals who work full-time and have other demanding time obligations
- A 10-course, 30-credit-hour program, that can be completed in 16 months
- Tuition set a half the rate of other graduate programs
Accreditation
This business program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). ACBSP is a leading specialized accreditation association for business education, supporting, celebrating and rewarding excellence on a diverse global scale.
Program Benefits
Affordable tuition - $15,000 for whole program
Online, asynchronous program for maximum flexibility
Fast-track, 10-course program- can be completed in 16 months
Who Should Earn an Online Master’s in Nonprofit Management?
Earning an online Master’s in Nonprofit Management, particularly the Master of Science in Nonprofit Management offered by Our Lady of the Lake University, is ideal for individuals passionate about making a difference through charitable, philanthropic, and nonprofit organizations.
This program is especially suitable for those who already have experience in the nonprofit sector and are looking to advance their careers, as well as for those transitioning from other fields with a strong desire to develop skills in nonprofit leadership and management.
The flexibility of an online format makes it an excellent choice for working professionals who need to balance their studies with other commitments, such as employment or family responsibilities.
Moreover, this program is an excellent fit for individuals who aspire to understand the complexities of nonprofit governance, financial management, fundraising strategies, and program development.
What Will I Learn in This Nonprofit Management Master’s Degree?
In the Master of Science in Nonprofit Management program at Our Lady of the Lake University, students will gain in-depth knowledge in key areas crucial for nonprofit leadership. This includes understanding effective governance and ethical leadership and gaining skills in project planning, research methodologies, and grant writing through many courses.
The curriculum also emphasizes other areas, including outcomes-oriented marketing, financial management, and technology application in nonprofit contexts. Talent development and risk management, crucial for sustaining and growing a nonprofit, are explored in-depth. The program culminates in a capstone project where students apply their comprehensive learning to real-world challenges, demonstrating their readiness to lead and significantly impact the nonprofit sector.
Is an Online Master’s Degree in Nonprofit Management Worth It?
An online Master’s Degree in Nonprofit Management is a worthwhile investment for those looking to make an impact in the nonprofit sector. It offers exceptional flexibility, allowing students to balance their education with professional and personal commitments, which is particularly beneficial for working professionals. The program equips students with a broad range of skills, from strategic planning and leadership to financial management and marketing, all tailored to the unique needs of nonprofit organizations.
This degree not only enhances career prospects by opening doors to leadership roles in the nonprofit sector but also empowers individuals with the knowledge and skills to contribute to social change and community development effectively. With the growing importance of nonprofit organizations in addressing societal challenges, the skills and insights gained from this program are more valuable than ever.
Courses in the Nonprofit Management Degree
Students in the Master of Science in Nonprofit Managment program can complete the program in as little as 16 months:
NPMT 8300 | 3 CREDIT HOURS
This course covers the environment of trust that nonprofit staff leaders and managers
must uphold, from a practitioner’s perspective. Topics covered include understanding
your leadership style; leading and motivating volunteers and employees, and establishing
and assuring key performance indicators are met. Additionally, this course covers
the roles and responsibilities of governing boards, interactions with nonprofit staff
and volunteers, and legal and ethical aspects of nonprofit governance and leadership.
NPMT 8301 | 3 CREDIT HOURS
This course provides students with a framework to prepare their capstone project that
will be presented during their final course in the nonprofit management program. Acceptable
capstone project scope and types will be explained. Students will be oriented to research
methodologies and practical approaches to investigate, schedule their projects milestone
calendar, collect and organize their data, and document their capstone project’s milestone
accomplishments and final deliverables.
NPMT 8305 | 3 CREDIT HOURS
This course includes a review of marketing principles applicable to nonprofit organizations
seeking favorable name recognition, audience awareness of mission need and fulfillment,
and adapting marketing activities to audience receptivity and predispositions. Regulatory
and legal compliance and ethical elements of truthful and transparent communications
are covered. The course has two themes that alternate from one calendar year to the
next to focus on different outcomes.
NPMT 8307 | 3 CREDIT HOURS
This course examines from a practitioner perspective the recruitment, orientation, training, knowledge and skills improvement, incentivization, evaluation, and progressive development of nonprofit staff and volunteers. Also included are outsourcing considerations and mixing work efforts by employees, contracted labor, and volunteers with ROI in mind. Additionally, best practice volunteer engagements are examined such as developmental committee assignments, individual advisors, and staff supportive assignments.
NPMT 8311 | 3 CREDIT HOURS
This course examines from a practitioner’s perspective multiple best practice uses
of technology to enhance nonprofit organization organizational effectiveness and its
use in improving nonprofit communications with its stakeholders. The course has two
themes that alternate from one calendar year to the next to focus on different stages
of technology application by a nonprofit organization.
NPMT 8312 | 3 CREDIT HOURS
This course focuses on how to identify, develop, and manage the productivity of nonprofit
grant writers, key factors in formal applications for grants, soliciting service performance
awards, and essential reporting requirements for received awards and grants. Special
emphasis is made on abiding by regulatory, award instructions, and legal constraints.
NPMT 8310 | 3 CREDIT HOURS
Emphasizes the development of skills necessary for sound financial decision making
within a nonprofit. Includes financial ratio analysis, capital budgeting, risk and
return analysis, and financial forecasting.
NPMT 8314 | 3 CREDIT HOURS
This course includes reviewing risk management and quality control principles applicable
to nonprofit organizations. The course has two themes that alternate from one calendar
year to the next to focus on different practical outcomes for nonprofit organizations.
NPMT 8315 | 3 CREDIT HOURS
This course examines from a practitioner perspective the primary functional areas
that nonprofit organizations administer to assure effectiveness and long-term sustainability.
These include Operational and Program Planning, Financial Management, Strategic Communications,
Personnel Administration, and Resource Development. Additionally, this course covers
approaches to enhance staff efficiency, cross-functional collaboration, mutual support,
cross-training, and best-practice controls to implement that enhance ethical behaviors
and legal compliance.
NPMT 8324 | 3 CREDIT HOURS
This is an integrative capstone course to be taken in the final semester of a student’s
study plan. Capstone Project options include (1) starting and launching a fully established
and operational nonprofit organization with activities completed or scheduled/announced,
or (2) writing and presenting to an active nonprofit’s CEO and/or governing board
a strategic plan for the next 3-5 years addressing at least two designated functional
areas with recommendations. Students will integrate knowledge and skills acquired
during their previous nine NPMT courses to demonstrate proficiency in critical thinking,
general knowledge of the nonprofit commons, clear and logical expression, attention-to-detail,
and/or persuasive delivery of consultatory advice/behaviors to improve mission fulfillment
by an active nonprofit organization.
Curriculum
The Nonprofit Management Program emphasizes nonprofit organization best practices
and the development of essential inter-personal soft skills.
Topics covered in the program include:
- Finance Accounting for Nonprofits
- Outcomes-Oriented Marketing
- Nonprofit Talent Development
- Nonprofit Grant Writing and Contract Solicitation
- Risk Management for Operational Continuity
- Operations and Administration
- Technology Applications for Nonprofits
Capstone
Each course in the program guides students through the process of progressively crafting their capstone project demonstrating mastery of one of the following:
- Conceptualizing, planning, starting up, and launching with program/activity deliverables a new nonprofit organization coherent with a student’s interests and community needs.
- Collecting quantitative data, qualitative inputs, organizing and evaluating information in the context of a nonprofit organization’s mission, vision, and guidance from the governing board and executive director to write and present a strategic plan encompassing two functional areas (e.g., marketing, program accounting, volunteer care, fundraising stewardship, operational assessment, etc.) in a written report and an MP4-submitted consultant-quality presentation.
Admission Requirements
Regular Admission Requirements
- Submit a completed application
- Provide an unofficial final transcript of an earned bachelor's degree from an accredited university
- Arrange for transmission of official transcripts from all previously attended colleges
- A cumulative undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 or higher
Applicants with a cumulative undergraduate GPA of less than 3.0 must also provide the following:
- Two references (university provides form) from people who are knowledgeable about the student's managerial experiences, volunteer work, nonprofit service, or other professional background in organizational governance or leadership.
Scheduled Admission Deadlines*
- Fall semester: July 5, 2024
- Spring semester: Dec. 20, 2024
- Summer semester: April 18, 2025
* Listed deadlines are for priority admission. Final deadlines are three weeks before the start date of the student's first online class. The Nonprofit Management program has two back-to-back, seven-week online course sessions scheduled to convene every semester. Please contact the OLLU Graduate Admissions Office for details.
Upcoming Events
Hear from current Nonprofit Management students and professors about the program
Faculty
Full-time faculty members in the Nonprofit Management program have extensive professional and academic experience. Most have doctoral degrees and/or professional certifications. Seasoned practitioners who teach selected courses complement full-time professors as adjunct faculty. View Nonprofit Management Faculty
Charles Rodriguez
Associate Professor
What Can You Do With an Online Master's Degree in Nonprofit Management?
An online Master’s Degree in Nonprofit Management opens up diverse career opportunities. This degree equips graduates with the essential skills and knowledge required to lead, manage, and make a significant impact within various types of nonprofit settings.
With this advanced degree, individuals are positioned to pursue various roles where they can drive positive change and contribute meaningfully to society, including:
- Program Director for a Nonprofit
- Nonprofit Financial Manager
- Fundraising Manager
- Nonprofit Marketing Director
- Nonprofit Human Resources Manager
- Policy Analyst for Nonprofit Sectors
- Nonprofit Consultant
- Nonprofit Communications Coordinator
Tuition & Financial Aid
The tuition rate for the online Master of Science in Nonprofit Management program is about half of other graduate programs at OLLU. The entire program is about $15,000. This rate was set in recognition of the crucial work of individuals in the nonprofit sector.
| Tuition | Costs |
|---|---|
| Our Tuition (2024–2025 rate) | $1,491 per course |
| Average Tuition of Peer Online Institutions | $4,330 per course |
| Average Total Tuition Cost | $15,000 |
You should begin the Financial Aid application process at the same time that you apply to the graduate program. To be considered for financial aid, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at www.studentaid.gov . Please list Our Lady of the Lake University, federal school code #003598, as one of the schools to receive your application information. OLLU will receive your results electronically and use them to award your financial aid.
Please note: You must be officially accepted for admission to the university before a financial aid award can be processed.
FAQs
The program comprises 30 semester hours, structured in a fast-track format. It requires 10 courses, typically completed in 4 consecutive semesters.
Prospective students must submit two reference letters demonstrating managerial aptitude and an undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.0/4.0 or higher. A lower GPA might be considered if accompanied by recent training certifications or commendations.
The application deadlines are June 15 for the Fall Term, October 15 for the Spring Term, and March 15 for the Summer Term.