Serve the Public Good
Whether you are looking to start a career in nonprofit organizations or have been employed there for years, the new Master of Arts in Nonprofit Management (MNPM)* can help you thrive. The MNPM is a 30-credit-hour master’s degree that can be completed in a year for full-time students and within five-years for part-time students. Courses are offered in the evenings either in person or in a hybrid on-line fashion in a way that can mesh with your busy life. Perhaps you see yourself working in or managing a childcare center, community outreach program, health care facility, religious group, art gallery or some other small or large operation. All these organizations, regardless the size, will benefit from understanding the complexities of human resources, marketing, fundraising, ethical practices and much more gained by completing the MNPM.
Not sure if you want to pursue a master’s degree yet? Check out the 12-credit Certificate in Nonprofit Management (CNPM)* program. This is a way you can dabble in a few classes to boost your marketability and skills as a volunteer, employee, manager or nonprofit business owner.
*Pending approval by the Southern Association of Colleges and School Commission on Colleges, December 2024
program begins
per credit hour
*2024-2025 tuition and fees
credit hours
months
About This Program
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the nonprofit sector is anticipated to grow by 6.5% over the next 10 years. There are more than 1.8 million registered nonprofit organizations in the U.S., employing more than 12.5 million people. Join us in learning more about the mission-driven work that impacts people within communities. The MNPM or CNPM programs are prepared to help you begin your career or support you along the way. Completing the program(s) will equip you to engage in a variety of organizations and areas within those organizations.
Here are just some of the areas you might contribute to nonprofit organizations:
- Volunteer Management
- Finance and Administration
- Grant Writing
- Development and Fundraising
- Resource Stewardship
- Community Outreach Coordinator
- Social Media Coordinator
- Program and Service Delivery
- Education and Training Coordinator
- Advocacy and Awareness
- Leadership and Management
Program Advantages
The MNPM and CNPM programs team experienced faculty with hands-on-learning in a specific nonprofit field of your choosing. Whether you are starting your career or hoping for career advancement, this specialized curriculum will make you a stronger contributor to any organization. Here are some key benefits of the program:
- MNPM and CNPM classes will be available either in a “hyflex” format, meaning classes that are taught to both in-person and online students at the same time, or online.
- Classes are designed to accommodate the working professional’s schedule.
- Full and part-time options are available.
- The MNPM curriculum is aligned with the Nonprofit Academic Centers Council’s guidelines.
- Your capstone course allows you to work with a nonprofit organization to solve a problem, allowing you to specialize in a nonprofit field of interest to you. You may also develop a social enterprise that meets an existing need.
Courses
- MNPM 501: Nonprofit Organization in Context (3 Credits)
- MNPM 502: Nonprofit Governance and Leadership (3 Credits)
- MNPM 503: Nonprofit Economics, Finance and Financial Management (3 Credits)
- MNPM 504: Policy, Advocacy, and the Creation of Social Change (3 credits)
- MNPM 505: Human Resource Development (3 Credits)
- MNPM 506: Marketing and Communications for Nonprofits (3 Credits)
- MNPM 507: Fundraising and Resource Development for Nonprofits (3 Credits)
- MNPM 601: Innovation and Social Entrepreneurship (3 credits)
- MNPM 602: Data Management, Decision Making, and Assessment (3 credits)
- MNPM 603: Capstone (3 credits)
The program and the courses will be added to the Graduate College Catalog following expected final approval by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) in December 2024.
Certificate in Nonprofit Management
The Certificate in Nonprofit Management provides you with the necessary foundation regarding the operation, finances and governance of nonprofit organizations. Only 12 credits, you can complete the certificate in two semesters or less. If you’re interested, you can easily continue on to complete your master’s degree after earning a certificate.
Certificate Program (12 Credits)
Select the Following Three Courses:
- MNPM 501: Nonprofit Organization in Context (3 Credits)
- MNPM 502: Nonprofit Governance and Leadership (3 Credits)
- MNPM 503: Nonprofit Economics, Finance and Financial Management (3 Credits)
Choose One of the Following Three Courses:
- MNPM 505: Human Resource Development (3 Credits)
- MNPM 506: Marketing and Communications for Nonprofits (3 Credits)
- MNPM 507: Fundraising and Resource Development for Nonprofits (3 Credits)
Note that while it is not in the course descriptions, most of the courses will include discussions of ethics, program outcomes and assessment, and decision making.
MNPM 501: Nonprofit Organizations in Context (3 Credits)
This course begins by examining the scope and significance of the nonprofit sector. History and theories of the nonprofit sector will also be explored, with theoretical explanations for the nonprofit sector, philanthropy, and social entrepreneurship. The course also includes a comparison of global perspectives on the nonprofit sector. Prerequisite: None
MNPM 502: Nonprofit Governance and Leadership (3 Credits)
This course will detail the role and inter-relationship of the board, executives, and other stakeholders in the governance of a nonprofit organization. Theories and histories of nonprofit boards and governance will be explored. This includes the roles and responsibilities of the stakeholders as they steward the organization toward achieving its mission. Board development, board assessment, and organizational assessment will be included. Participants will learn how to develop mission, strategy, and plans while working with a multitude of stakeholders. Students will gain an in-depth understanding of the various theories of leadership and apply those theories within a nonprofit context. As boundary spanners, nonprofit leaders will learn how to manage partnerships within and across sectors in order to achieve organizational sustainability. Corequisite: MNPM 501
MNPM 503: Nonprofit Economics, Finance, and Financial Management (3 Credits)
Economic theory in relation to the nonprofit sector, including managerial economics for effective nonprofit management. This includes tools such as cost-benefit analysis and social impact measurement. Economics of microenterprise and the impact on social entrepreneurship will be examined. Students will understand critical financial concepts, including liquidity, solvency, cash flow strategies, and diversity of revenue streams. Financial management practices will be explained and applied, including planning, budgeting, controls, short-term and long-term financing, investments, and grant management. Accounting and financial decision making will be covered, with an emphasis on presentation of financial information to stakeholders. Corequisite: MNPM 501
MNPM 504: Policy, Advocacy, and the Creation of Social Change (3 Credits)
This course will examine how nonprofit organizations and voluntary action serve to effect social change. This includes the way in which they influence the public policy process within local, national, and international contexts. The role of the various stakeholders as agents for change will be explored. Frameworks and guidelines for lobbying, including the laws governing those activities, will be explained. Prerequisite: MNPM 501
MNPM 505: Human Resource Development for Nonprofits (3 Credits)
This course will address human resource issues within both formal and informal nonprofit organizations, including paid and unpaid staff. Participants will learn how human resource issues in nonprofit organizations are different from the experience in public and for-profit organizations. Included will be the role, value and dynamics of volunteerism in carrying out the work and fulfilling the missions of nonprofit organizations as part of strategic human resources management. Students will learn about and gain experience with supervision and human resource management systems and practices relevant to both paid and unpaid employees in nonprofit organizations. Emphasis will be placed on dimensions and dynamics of individual and organizational inclusion and diversity practices within the nonprofit sector and their implications for effective human resource management. Talent management practices from recruitment of entry level staff through career advancement to executive levels in the nonprofit sector, including compensation practices, evaluation processes and professional development considerations will be included. Prerequisite: MNPM 501
MNPM 506: Marketing and Communications for Nonprofits (3 Credits)
This course will provide students with an understanding of marketing theory, principles and techniques, in general, and as applied in a philanthropic and nonprofit environment, including the dynamics and principles of the marketing mission in a nonprofit context. The course will explain the interrelationship between services marketing and donor marketing. Students will gain practical experience in the use of social media and other emerging means for advancing communications and public relations to internal and external stakeholders. Prerequisite: MNPM 501
MNPM 507: Fundraising and Resource Development for Nonprofits (3 Credits)
This course will describe the various ways that nonprofits raise funds and develop resources. This will include the strategic fund development process. Students will discuss the ethical processes and practices of different fundraising strategies to be considered such as an annual fund, planned and major giving, foundation and corporate fundraising and special events. There will be consideration of generational and cultural differences in giving and the implications for fundraising. The course will include recent trends in fundraising approaches such as the role of on-line giving, the use of social media and crowdsourcing strategies. Prerequisite: MNPM 501
MNPM 601: Innovation and Social Entrepreneurship (3 Credits)
Students will learn about and apply models and frameworks of social entrepreneurship and social enterprise. The role of nonprofit leaders in generating new ideas and innovative strategies to meet societal needs will be explored. Participants in the course will develop an idea for a social enterprise start-up and prepare a business plan. Prerequisite: MNPM 501
MNPM 602: Data Management, Decision Making, and Assessment (3 Credits)
This course will address the role of information technology, decision making, and program assessment. Participants will learn how data analytics are used to improve productivity and effectiveness in support of organizational mission. The course will give students an in-depth understanding of program assessment for nonprofit, voluntary, and philanthropic organizations. Course participants will also learn decision-making models to take advantage of information and assessment to optimize organizational performance to meet stakeholder needs. Prerequisite: MNPM 501
MNPM 603: Capstone (3 Credits)
Students will draw upon the knowledge, skills, and abilities to work with a nonprofit agency to solve a problem. As an alternative, the student may develop a social enterprise that meets an existing need. Prerequisite: MNMP 501, 502, 503, 504, 505, 506, and 507
Corequisite: MNPM 601 and 602
Faculty
Join experienced faculty in delving deeper into the variety of topics that impact the resiliency of today’s nonprofit organizations. Human resources, finance, marketing and communications and fundraising are just some of the courses that our knowledgeable faculty guide you through in your coursework in the MNPM or CNPM programs. These faculty can help you tackle real problems in real organizations because they have all worked in nonprofit institutions throughout their careers.
FAQs
The Bridgewater College MNPM program operates on a rolling admissions process. Applications open August 1 each year and are reviewed until the cohort is filled. It is best to submit your applications early to ensure the best opportunity to be admitted. General institutional admissions requirements can be reviewed at: BC Graduate Admissions
Students can complete the 30 credit-hour MSHRM full time in one year or take up to five years to complete it part time. The program is designed to accommodate the working professional’s schedule. The certificate can be completed in two semesters.
The schedule below represents course sequencing and term each course is offered. If you want to complete the MNPM in 12 months, this will be the course schedule for you.
| Summer | MNPM 501: Nonprofit Organizations in Context MNPM 502: Nonprofit Governance and Leadership MNPM 505: Human Resource Development |
| Fall | MNPM 503: Nonprofit Economics, Finance, and Financial Management MNPM 504: Policy, Advocacy, and the Creation of Social Change MNPM 506: Marketing and Communications for Nonprofits |
| Spring | MNPM 507: Fundraising and Resource Development for Nonprofits MNMP 601: Innovation and Social Entrepreneurship MNPM 602: Data Management, Decision Making, and Assessment |
| May | MNPM 603: Capstone |
*Pending approval by the Southern Association of Colleges and School Commission on Colleges, December 2024
The 2024-2025 tuition and fees are $640 per credit hour. The total budget for the program includes direct charges (tuition and fees) and estimated indirect costs (eg., books, travel). For the total budget visit Graduate Student Tuition and Fees.
