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Get answers to frequently asked questions about pursuing an MPA nonprofit management emphasis program. Explore essential information that can help you make an informed decision about your education and your future.
Various degrees can be highly beneficial for individuals seeking to work in the public sector. Depending on your specific area of interest, there are a few common and distinct graduate programs geared for mission-driven professionals, including a Master of Public Administration (MPA), Master of Urban Planning (MUP), Master of Social Work (MSW) and a Master of Public Policy (MPP).
The role of public sector management is to ensure the organization is meeting its responsibilities. They often oversee staff, finances, programs, business operations and marketing strategies. Nonprofit managers may also be responsible for building and maintaining relationships with donors and key stakeholders to ensure the organization is successful in meeting its mission.
The earning potential of community organization managers depends on many factors, such as geographic location, employer and years of experience. According to the BLS, social and community service managers had a median annual wage of $77,030 in May 20234 and public relations and fundraising managers had a median annual wage of $130,480 during the same timeframe.3
Achieving goals in the charitable sector isn’t solely about aggressively increasing revenue. It’s measured by the impact on the organization’s mission, how many people are helped, the effect on disadvantaged communities and upholding goodwill initiatives. While revenue is crucial for funding and implementing the mission, a master’s nonprofit management can be valuable if you’re passionate about making a positive difference and want to learn effective mission-driven management strategies.
A nonprofit serves as an organized group with the goal of serving the common good. These organizations further their mission through fundraising, advocacy, volunteer engagement and activism.1 Preparing for community-based management often involves an in-depth study of administrative practices and their impact on organizational effectiveness.
An MPA degree can help provide valuable insights into these practices, equipping you with the skills needed to enhance performance and impact within the community, such as:
Public service
Resource management
Policy and politics
Nonprofit management
Funding strategies
Critical thinking
Leadership
Volunteer recruitment
The Master of Public Administration (MPA) with an Emphasis in Nonprofit Management at Grand Canyon University can help prepare you to work toward a career serving the public at large. This online degree is designed for individuals who desire to find employment in or are currently working for public benefit organizations.
Practical administrative skills in leadership, human capital development and policy are refined in this MPA nonprofit management emphasis program. You will tackle practical challenges and develop innovative solutions for the pressing issues faced by public and charitable entities today.
At GCU, we prioritize the quality of our instruction and curriculum because our mission is to thoroughly prepare our graduates to effectively make a positive difference in their communities. As an institutionally accredited university, we are proud to deliver impactful degree programs. The Higher Learning Commission has continually accredited GCU since 1968. The College of Humanities and Social Sciences shares the university’s commitment to upholding the principles and standards established by our accrediting bodies.
Prepare for a future in nonprofit management with an MPA.
The public-benefit sector shows ongoing growth, presenting the potential for meaningful contributions in the field.2
Potential community sector career opportunities for those with an MPA degree may include:
Chief executive
General and operational manager
Legislator
Transportation, storage and distribution manager
Postmaster and mail superintendent
Social and community service manager
Estimated number of new jobs for community and social service occupations from 2023 to 20332
Median annual wage of public relations and fundraising managers in May 20233
1 Kenton, W. (2024, March 3). Nonprofit Organization (NPO): Definition and Example. Investopedia. Retrieved Aug. 19, 2024.
2 COVID-19 has adversely affected the global economy and data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. Accordingly, data shown is effective September 2023, which can be found here: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Community and Social Service Occupations, retrieved on Sept. 4, 2024.
3 The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Public Relations and Fundraising Managers as of May 2023, retrieved on Aug. 18, 2024. Due to COVID-19, data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. BLS calculates the median using salaries of workers nationwide with varying levels of education and experience. It does not reflect the earnings of GCU graduates as public relations and fundraising managers, nor does it reflect the earnings of workers in one city or region of the country or a typical entry-level salary. Median income is the statistical midpoint for the range of salaries in a specific occupation. It represents what you would earn if you were paid more money than half the workers in an occupation, and less than half the workers in an occupation. It may give you a basis to estimate what you might earn at some point if you enter this career. Grand Canyon University can make no guarantees on individual graduates’ salaries. Your employability will be determined by numerous factors over which GCU has no control, such as the employer the graduate chooses to apply to, the graduate’s experience level, individual characteristics, skills, etc. against a pool of candidates.
4 The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Social and Community Service Managers as of May 2023, retrieved on Aug. 18, 2024. Due to COVID-19, data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. BLS calculates the median using salaries of workers nationwide with varying levels of education and experience. It does not reflect the earnings of GCU graduates as social and community service managers, nor does it reflect the earnings of workers in one city or region of the country or a typical entry-level salary. Median income is the statistical midpoint for the range of salaries in a specific occupation. It represents what you would earn if you were paid more money than half the workers in an occupation, and less than half the workers in an occupation. It may give you a basis to estimate what you might earn at some point if you enter this career. Grand Canyon University can make no guarantees on individual graduates’ salaries. Your employability will be determined by numerous factors over which GCU has no control, such as the employer the graduate chooses to apply to, the graduate’s experience level, individual characteristics, skills, etc. against a pool of candidates.
Online: $600 per credit [More Info]
Up to 12 credits or 1/3 of the total program requirements in transfer (whichever is less)
Credits: Fill out the Lopes Eval to find out what will transfer
Admission Requirements (Master's)
OR 2.5+ Unweighted GPA and
Admission requirements may differ based on degree level, program and modality, or transfer status. Some programs of study may require a higher GPA and/or other qualifying criteria for admission. Please review full admission and program requirements in the University Policy Handbook.
* Degree must be from an accredited college or program that has been approved by GCU.
** Combined verbal/quantitative, after August 2011 (1,000 combined verbal and quantitative, prior to August 2011).
Our faith-integrated approach emphasizes serving the public with integrity, compassion and ethical decision-making from a Christian worldview. This online master’s nonprofit management emphasis program can prepare you to join a network of professionals dedicated to driving positive change in the public and nonprofit sectors.
Online Learning for Working Professionals
As a busy working professional, this program offers the flexibility you need to support work/life balance and personal responsibilities. Access coursework, complete assignments and connect with peers and knowledgeable faculty from nearly anywhere. You can engage in academically stimulating discussions through our robust learning management system and have access to student resources and technical support.
A future leader in social sector management can benefit from many core competencies, including those in financial management, governance, human capital and community development. This MPA nonprofit management emphasis is intended to offer a comprehensive and in-depth survey of the diverse skill set expected in the charitable sector.
Throughout this MPA degree program, you will be taught to explore these key areas:
Stakeholder Service
Focus on how government and public organizations serve their stakeholders, including managing resources and regulatory powers
Public Administration
Examine the daily duties of public administrators, relationship building, political awareness and collaborative strategies
Human Capital
Consider ways to acquire, develop and leverage human capital, from assessing talent management to employee professional development
Leadership Practices
Apply leadership practices, as well as revenue and expenditure structuring
Charitable/Nongovernmental Organizations
Explore theories and concepts of charitable/nongovernmental organizations and community development
Funding Strategies
Survey the many facets of funding and funding strategies
