MBA: Nonprofit Management Online

Q: What’s the difference between an MPA vs. MBA?

While both a master’s in public administration (MPA) and an MBA can prepare you for working in nonprofits, they differ slightly in their emphasis and curriculum. MPA programs focus on public policy, leveraging human capital, political structures and community engagement. MBA: nonprofit management programs focus on business principles such as efficiency, sustainability and innovation.

Overview

Develop the Tools To Lead and Sustain Impactful Initiatives

The Master of Business Administration with an Emphasis in Nonprofit Management offers a comprehensive foundation in core business disciplines, including accounting, finance, organizational leadership, marketing and strategic planning.

This MBA offers specialized insight into the unique dynamics of the nonprofit sector, highlighting the critical role of nonprofit and nongovernmental organizations in society. If you’re passionate about creating meaningful change, this program can give you the tools to help lead initiatives that matter.

Master of Business Administration with an Emphasis in Non-Profit Management

Offered By

Colangelo College of Business

Class Settings

Online

Tuition Rate

Online: $665 per credit [More Info]

Cost of Attendance

Course Information

Credits: 54

Online: 8 weeks

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Transfer Credits

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

Admission Requirements (Master's)

Undergraduate Degree*
2.8+ GPA

OR 2.5+ Unweighted GPA and

GMAT: 500
GRE: 300 combined**

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).

Why GCU

Pursue a Learning Experience Rooted in Service and Growth

You will be taught the skills to guide sustainable growth and community impact through specialized nonprofit leadership education. GCU’s online MBA: nonprofit management offers a comprehensive understanding of nonprofit and NGO sectors, emphasizing their growing influence both locally and globally. You can gain practical insights into how nonprofits operate and why ethical leadership is important for mission-driven organizations.

There are many benefits to earning your MBA at GCU, including:

Convenient Online Learning

All courses are offered 100% online.

No GMAT Required

Apply for the MBA with no GMAT requirement.

Christian Worldview

Discover how to lead with purpose and ethical decision-making.

Build Nonprofit Expertise

Explore focused curriculum in fundraising and grant management.

Careers

Career Paths for Nonprofit Management MBA Graduates

GCU’s curriculum can help prepare graduates with the skills to lead sustainable and impactful initiatives in the nonprofit space. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the four largest industries in the nonprofit sector were healthcare and social assistance, educational services, arts and other services, entertainment and recreation.^{(See disclaimer 1)}^{(See disclaimer )}Whether you choose to work in community-based foundations or international organizations, you can potentially navigate the nonprofit sector with greater confidence.

Graduates from this MBA: nonprofit management program can pursue roles including:

Chief executive

Social and community service manager

Sales Manager

Administrative services manager

$78,240

Median annual wage for social and community service managers in May 2024^{(See disclaimer 2)}

6%

Estimated growth for social and community service managers expected from 2024 to 2034^{(See disclaimer 3)}

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Review some frequently asked questions about earning an MBA that can help guide you as you pursue your education.

Is an MBA: nonprofit management worth it?

Earning an online MBA: nonprofit management can be a worthwhile investment for those interested in deepening their expertise in leadership strategies for nonprofit organizations. According to the BLS, 2024 data showed that nonprofit organizations employed 12.8 million people, representing 9.9% of all private-sector employment in the U.S.^{(See disclaimer 4 )}This highlights the need for educated professionals who can lead with a dedication to serving others.

What’s the difference between an MPA vs. MBA?

Is a nonprofit management MBA hard?

Like any graduate-level program, an MBA is academically rigorous and includes courses in statistics, economics and finance. However, the program is designed to support learners in building these essential skills, which are critical for effective leadership and decision-making in the nonprofit sector. With dedication and the right academic resources, students can navigate this MBA program and prepare for their future careers in the nonprofit sector.

Courses

Program Curriculum

Credit Summary

Major54 credits

Degree Requirements54 credits

Fundamental Courses

Fundamental courses prepare students for the curricular content they will encounter within the program. Upon evaluation of their transcripts, students with the appropriate undergraduate degree(s) may wave fundamental course(s). All students will undergo transcript evaluations upon receipt of their undergraduate degree bearing official transcript. For college specific information regarding fundamental coursework, students should refer to the University Policy Handbook.

ACC-502

4 Total Credits

Course Description

This course is designed for students who are preparing for more advanced coursework in business but who have not had accounting in undergraduate work. Topics covered include the principles and practices of financial accounting, including the fundamentals of revenue recognition, the components of the balance sheet, and financial statement analysis. ?The course explores accounting theories using publicly traded companies and case studies.

FIN-504

4 Total Credits

SYM-506

4 Total Credits

Core Courses

UNV-504

2 Total Credits

MGT-605

4 Total Credits

Course Description

This course examines modern leadership and organizational dynamics, focusing on how contemporary issues reshape traditional paradigms. Key concepts include servant leadership, ethical decision-making, and global leadership. Through case studies and exercises, students develop strategies for organizational effectiveness. The course emphasizes critical skills for modern leaders, including emotional intelligence, and strategic thinking, in dynamic business environments.

ECN-601

4 Total Credits

BUS-660

4 Total Credits

MKT-607

4 Total Credits

Course Description

Management of the marketing function, market environmental analysis, and marketing planning, strategy, and control are fundamentals of marketing management. The course examines the marketing process, marketing research, product development innovation and diffusion, pricing strategy, distribution value drain, advertising and promotion, and strategic marketing issues. Emphasis is placed on case study analysis and current academic research with a marketing plan as a significant curriculum component.

ACC-650

4 Total Credits

MGT-655

4 Total Credits

Course Description

Operations Management examines managerial concepts and strategies relating to the management of operations in both manufacturing and service environments. Emphasis is placed on methods to streamline and drive inefficiencies out of a firm’s internal processes to build a highly efficient organization. The course also focuses on external processes by examining ways to achieve greater supply chain integration with suppliers and customers. Quantitative and qualitative methods and tools are introduced and applied. Prerequisite: SYM-506.

FIN-650

4 Total Credits

MGT-660

4 Total Credits

Course Description

This capstone course focuses on preparing and conducting a strategic analysis of a selected publicly traded firm by assessing a changing business landscape to produce actionable intelligence used to develop a strategy focused on value creation. Students also engage in a product-focused simulation that provides a collaborative experience, providing an opportunity to apply creativity, business knowledge and skills to reflect on lessons learned in real time decision-making. Based on the results of the simulation and their strategic analysis, students are then required to prepare the framework of a strategic plan that creates significant value for all stakeholders. Prerequisites: MGT-605, MKT-607, ACC-650, and FIN-650.

ADM-630

4 Total Credits

ADM-641

4 Total Credits

GCU cannot and will not promise job placement, a job, graduate school placement, transfer of GCU program credits to another institution, promotion, salary, or salary increase. Please see the Career Services Policy in the University Policy Handbook.
Please note that this list may contain programs and courses not presently offered, as availability may vary depending on class size, enrollment and other contributing factors. If you are interested in a program or course listed herein please first contact your University Counselor for the most current information regarding availability.
Please refer to the Academic Catalog for more information. Programs or courses subject to change

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Admission

Shape Your Future in Nonprofit Management

Start building the skills to make a difference in the nonprofit sector and apply for your MBA: nonprofit management online at GCU.

Apply Now

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2024, Jan.). Nonprofits: A Look at National Trends in Establishment Size and Employment. Monthly Labor Review. Retrieved November 2025.
The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Social and Community Service Managers, as of May 2024, retrieved December 2025. 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 is very unlikely that a median salary will reflect an entry-level salary. 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.
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 August 2025, which can be found here: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Social and Community Service Managers, retrieved December 2025.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2024, Aug. 16). Nonprofits Accounted for 12.8 Million Jobs, 9.9 Percent of Private-Sector Employment, in 2022. TED: The Economics Daily. Retrieved November 2025.

Online MBA: Nonprofit Management Emphasis

Develop the Tools To Lead and Sustain Impactful Initiatives

Pursue a Learning Experience Rooted in Service and Growth