Online MPA: Nonprofit Management Emphasis

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Overview

Deepen Your Knowledge of Nonprofit Management

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.

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Why GCU

Earn Your Master of Public Administration From GCU 

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.

Online Learning
Coursework

Core Competencies for Nonprofit Leadership

Nonprofit leader directs group

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

Prepare To Lead and Serve in Various Nonprofit Organizations 

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

Careers

Career Paths for MPA: Nonprofit Management Graduates

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

299,400

Estimated number of new jobs for community and social service occupations from 2023 to 20332

$130,480

Median annual wage of public relations and fundraising managers in May 20233

Accreditation

Earn Your Degree From an Accredited University

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.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

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.

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Make a Difference in Your Community

Prepare for a future in nonprofit management with an MPA.

Apply Now

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.

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