Program Overview

Master of Nonprofit Organizations (MNO) Program

The Master of Nonprofit Organizations (MNO) degree program is designed to prepare students for management and leadership positions in the nonprofit sector. The program aims to build students' skills, competencies, knowledge, and capacity to enhance organizational effectiveness, harness passion, dedication, and vision, and make the best use of available resources.

Program Overview

The MNO degree program has eight competencies:

• Financial Resource Development and Management
• Foundations and Management of the Nonprofit Sector
• Governance, Stewardship, and Advocacy
• Legal and Ethical Decision Making
• Program Development and Evaluation
• Human Resource Management
• Communication, Marketing, and Public Relations
• Nonprofit Leadership

The full-time program consists of 39 credit hours and can be completed in 12 months over three consecutive semesters. The part-time program can be completed in six or more semesters, with students taking 1-2 courses per term.

Learning Outcomes

Students will possess an understanding of:

• Financial resource acquisition, budgeting, financial management, control, and transparency in nonprofit organizations
• The history, contributions, and unique characteristics of the nonprofit sector and its management
• The role of stewardship and advocacy, and the responsibilities of the board of directors, staff, and volunteers
• The basic laws, regulations, and professional standards that govern nonprofit sector operations
• Program design, implementation, and evaluation strategies applicable to nonprofit organizations
• The knowledge, skills, and techniques for managing volunteer and paid staff in nonprofit settings
• The knowledge, attitudes, and skills that nonprofit organizations use to understand, inform, and influence their various constituencies
• Cultural competency preparation for professional practice in culturally diverse nonprofit settings

Program Requirements

The MNO program is a 39 credit hour program. Courses are offered in the On-Campus Weekly and Intensive Weekend formats. The program includes:

• Required Courses (24 credit hours):
  • Nonprofit Ethics and Professionalism
  • Nonprofit Revenue Planning and Development
  • Nonprofit Strategic Planning
  • Nonprofit Databased Decision-Making
  • Nonprofit Leadership Dialogues
  • Nonprofit Organization and Management
  • Nonprofit Financial Management
  • Nonprofit Law
• Elective Courses (15 credit hours): Students choose five courses from a list of options, including:
  • Fundraising, Development, and Philanthropy
  • International Non-Governmental Organizations
  • Nonprofit Board Governance
  • Nonprofit Human Resources and Volunteer Management
  • Nonprofit Marketing
  • Nonprofit Practicum
  • Legislative and Political Process
  • Collaboration & Strategic Partnerships
  • Needs Assessment and Program Evaluation
  • Program Design

Dual Degree Options

The MNO program offers dual degree options with:

• Law, JD
• Social Work, MSW

Admission Criteria

Students accepted for the MNO degree program must possess a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, with a record of excellent academic performance and potential evidenced by grade point average. Applicants with a GPA below 2.7 may be admitted conditionally. Students must also show evidence of a strong interest in the nonprofit sector through volunteer activities, internship experiences, or employment in a nonprofit organization.