Nonprofit Management (MNM)

The master of nonprofit management (MNM) is a comprehensive professional degree that prepares students for executive leadership of nonprofit and philanthropic (grant-making) organizations.

Due to the astonishing growth of the nonprofit sector over the past 30 years in the U.S. and the equally rapid growth of nongovernmental organizations internationally, the sector has professionalized. Nonprofit employers now seek master's degree graduates with specialized training that will allow them to propel their organization forward.

This degree is distinct from a master of business administration and a master of public administration due to the nonprofit sector's unique funding and management structures. For example, multiple revenue streams require expertise in sources such as membership, capital campaigns, government contracts, grants, crowdfunding, and income from entrepreneurial ventures.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

• Synthesize foundational concepts and theories in nonprofit leadership and management: Students will learn and apply the leading theories and evidence-based best practices surrounding organization management and governance to written assignments and in hands-on applied projects.
• Develop critical thinking skills to ethically manage, govern and lead nonprofit and philanthropic organizations: Through the use of discussions, current events, case studies and real-world examples, emerging leaders will develop the skills necessary to consider and critically analyze multiple perspectives and sources of information.
• Learn how to best develop and steward nonprofit financial and human resources: Through a series of courses focused on management, students will learn and apply skills necessary to fundraising, financial management, grant writing, working with under-served populations and volunteer management.
• Apply learned competencies to real-world organizational challenges: Students will develop professional expertise and demonstrate competence by partnering with local organizations throughout the program, including serving as a member of a board of directors, completing a capstone project with an organization, and engaging in other coursework on strategic planning, project management, philanthropy and grantmaking, grant writing, and an internship placement, among others.
• Articulate individual aspirations in nonprofit professional practice to address broader societal needs and outcomes: In PPPM students become change agents and problem solvers. Students have opportunities to comprehensively explore their personal and professional goals through coursework, internships, one-on-one advising with instructors and faculty leaders. The flexible curriculum also allows students to take electives across campus in various fields of interest important to them.

Nonprofit Management

The master of nonprofit management (MNM) is a professional degree designed to train students to lead nonprofit organizations. Due to the growth of the nonprofit sector over the past three decades in the US and the growth of nongovernmental organizations internationally, the sector has professionalized. People currently working in the nonprofit sector and others seeking to switch to or enter the nonprofit sector now seek master’s-level training to advance their careers, specializing specifically in the administration of nonprofit organizations.

Critical skills for nonprofit administration are common to all nonprofit fields, including handling financial management challenges and tax-exempt reporting structures, raising funds from individual donors and institutions, and managing a mission-oriented workforce.

Unique Aspects of the Program

The program melds relevant best-practice elements from the business and government sectors with the management imperatives of the nonprofit and philanthropic sectors. Woven into the course work are opportunities to obtain practical experience at nonprofit organizations, so that participants in the program have significant administrative experience upon graduating. Examples include the review and consultation portion of the Fundraising for Nonprofit Organizations (PPPM 581) course, the nine-month board membership required for the Nonprofit Board Governance (PPPM 687) course, and the projects student teams complete for nonprofit organizations in the Nonprofit Consultancy (PPPM 688) course.

Students may combine the master of nonprofit management with another graduate degree from within the department or from other academic units across campus. In most cases, a student is able to obtain two master’s degrees within three years. The normal time to completion for the master of nonprofit management degree is six terms (two years).

Application Procedures

To be eligible for the master of nonprofit management, an applicant must hold a bachelor’s degree. The department strongly encourages applications from people of all backgrounds, and is dedicated to fostering a diverse academic environment.

The priority application deadlines are due February 1 for students entering the program in the following fall, although we also allow applications on a rolling basis as space permits. The online application requires the following (please follow the detailed checklist available on the department website):

• Official transcripts from undergraduate college or university, and from graduate study, if applicable
• GRE or GMAT scores (optional)
• TOEFL or IELTS scores for nonnative English speakers
• A personal statement, organized into four questions related to: your interest in studying nonprofit management, your interest in the University of Oregon, professional goals, and what you hope to accomplish. There is an optional prompt to share any personal challenges, barriers, or hardships you faced.
• Comprehensive employment and education résumé
• Three recommendation letters from those who can best speak to your preparation for graduate school and leadership in the nonprofit sector. At least one should be from a faculty member, but for those with extensive work experience three professional letters are also appropriate
• University of Oregon online graduate admission application

Nonprofit Curriculum

After completion of the core curriculum (33 credits focusing on financial, management, and revenue-development skills), students complete an internship and 20 credits of concentration electives. Students complete a management-based capstone sequence that culminates in successful completion of a consulting project for a nonprofit organization. The two-year program takes 70 credits to complete.

Master of Nonprofit Management Requirements

¹

Completing a nonprofit internship (3 credits) is highly recommended for all MNM students, and required for those with fewer than two years of relevant professional experience.

²

Courses must be approved by an advisor and should focus on a specific field of interest such as policy, community development planning, environmental sustainability, international development, marketing and development, arts management, public advocacy, and education and social services. More options for course work may be found online.

Accelerated Master's of Nonprofit Management

This 5-year Accelerated Master’s degree program enables students who graduate with a Major in PPPM or Minor in Nonprofit Administration to add one additional year of coursework to earn a Master’s of Nonprofit Management degree. University of Oregon is one of the few universities in the world with a master’s degree fully dedicated to professional training for executive leadership of nonprofit organizations. Graduates are in high demand, and pursue remunerative and rewarding careers.
Many of our undergraduates choose to pursue graduate work in nonprofit management, but often not at the UO since there is a significant amount of course overlap between our undergraduate and graduate offerings. This program will allow highly qualified and motivated undergraduates to stay with us for one additional year and earn a Master’s degree.
This is a 4+1 program as envisioned by much the materials and guidance for an accelerated master's program. Students will take 15 credits in master's-level coursework their senior year. They will take an additional 45 minimum graduate study credits (500+ courses) for graduate students seeking a master’s degree in their 5th year.

• Potential Electives with advisor approv