The Master of Science in Nonprofit Management and Philanthropy degree is designed to prepare individuals to move into or to advance to middle and senior management positions in not-for-profit organizations. This program provides recognized professional academic credentials and advanced skills and expertise for professionals in the field, as well as an introduction to nonprofit management and oversight for those who serve on boards of nonprofit organizations or work for foundations which support nonprofit entities. The degree provides critical management skills and knowledge to prepare ethical, skilled, and knowledgeable leaders in nonprofit management and philanthropy.

The Master of Science in Nonprofit Management and Philanthropy requires 36 credit hours of graduate coursework and a final portfolio, which documents students’ completion of the program goals. The portfolio is posted in an electronic format and becomes the property of Bay Path University. Online students must also successfully complete EXT099 prior to enrollment in their first online course.

Program Requirements

Students must complete 36 credit hours of graduate coursework and a portfolio of graduate work to earn a Master of Science of Nonprofit Management and Philanthropy.

M.S. Nonprofit Management & Philanthropy with Strategic Fundraising Certificate

Students enrolled in the MS NMP degree program have the option to gain a certificate in Strategic Fundraising and will take 12 required courses for 36 credits. In addition to the eight required courses for the MS NMP degree, the student will take four required fund development courses: NMP 622 Donor Motivation and Behavior, NMP 623 Managing Fund Development Operations, NMP 656 Relationships, Communication and Philanthropy, and one additional fund development course: NMP 531 Grant Writing for Corporations and Foundations, NMP 641 Capital Campaigns and Planned Giving, NMP 651 Annual Giving and Donor Relations, or NMP 661 Major Gifts.

Student Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the M.S. in Nonprofit Management and Philanthropy program are expected to demonstrate achievement in all areas of the program. Specifically, graduates of the program are expected to:

• Articulate an understanding of the history, theory, scope, unique role, and significance of philanthropy, voluntarism, and nonprofit sector organizations within the North American and global context;
• Demonstrate knowledge and awareness of the standards and codes of conduct that are appropriate to professionals and volunteers in philanthropy and the nonprofit sector;
• Develop a thorough understanding of the various technical, functional, and operational areas of a nonprofit organization and be able to apply this knowledge to organizational practice and planning;
• Describe the history, role, and function of governance and executive leadership in achieving the mission and vision of nonprofit organizations;
• Understand and adhere to the appropriate legal, financial, and ethical frameworks under which nonprofit organizations operate and are regulated;
• Apply appropriate analytic methods to management problems in a nonprofit organizational context and design solutions to problems;
• Analyze, design, implement, maintain, and evaluate problems/solutions in the key nonprofit functional areas including fundraising, planning, financial management, board governance, volunteer management, and information management;
• Demonstrate knowledge of the role and function of financial literacy and stewardship in the effective oversight and management of nonprofit organization resources; and
• Apply financial management and revenue generation principles and concepts in the nonprofit organizational context.