Online Nonprofit Management Degrees

Online nonprofit management degrees focus on the business side of running non-profit organizations (NPOs) and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

Nonprofit businesses and organizations generally are those with a specific tax designation, but in popular usage, the term might be used to describe governmental agencies. Nonprofit organizations can include religious, scientific, education or charitable function within their scope of influence. They also work with social and health services, cultural development and human rights advocacy. The organizations are often tax-exempt. Often, donations of grant money have a top percentage that can be used for administration. Sometimes funds received in grants must be matched through community support. Management of nonprofit businesses courses are offered by many universities, colleges and schools. These instructional programs might be on campuses or online. Coursework for nonprofit management is helpful to demonstrate all the obligations for legal and public aspects of the field.

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Selected Online Nonprofit Management Degrees

Walden University

• M.S. in Nonprofit Management and Leadership (M.S. NP)
• M.S. in Psychology - Organizational Psychology & Nonprofit Management

Capella University

• PhD - Management of Nonprofit Agencies

Kaplan University

• Advanced Start BSA - Government - Nonprofit Accountancy
• BS in Accounting - Government-Nonprofit Accountancy

University of the Rockies

• MA in Psychology, Non-Profit Management

South University - Campus and South University Online

• Master of Public Administration - Non-Profit Management

Nonprofit Management Education and Training

In order to have a career in this field, the graduate must plan on obtaining experience and education in public policy, taxation, business, legal issues and communications. Nonprofit management degree programs are structured in many ways identical to degrees in management of for-profit businesses.

Because the level of education and experience for profit and non-profit businesses are so similar, the expectations of course material completed are also similar. Although a bachelor's degree in business administration is a minimum level of education in most positions of responsibility is important, the majority of successful managers continue on to obtain graduate level courses and certification.

Nonprofit Management Careers

Non-profit businesses often are funded through public donations and grants. There is close monitoring of expenses for these organizations, since part of the stipulations for operational approval is that all proceeds beyond necessary operational costs must be used for the stated purpose of the organization.

Nonprofit managers can find work in NGOs, environmental, health care, religious, cultural education facilities, and various grassroots organizations in politics, civic education, and civic participation. The roles and responsibilities can be in financial administration, marketing, information technology or other tasks within the organization. Nonprofit management certification is available for some specialties and may assist in finding suitable jobs in the field.

These special characteristics of public or non profit corporation managers mean that there must be so additional steps taken in the effective and accurate management of the business. Strict financial accountability is one unique feature that is necessary. Managers of non profit organizations must arrange for the publicity and coordination for fund raising. Often volunteer labor is used to do much of the work for the organization. These people must be recruited and organized.

Expected Salary and Projected Career Growth

Projection of job growth in management positions is expected to be at about the same rate as growth in other professions. This should hold true for non-profit management jobs. In fact, there may be a shift between public and private sector management jobs because of the economic crisis. This could be partially offset by the desire to cut spending by government agencies and organizations.

In 2008, median annual earnings for managers was nearly $100,000. The range will depend upon the type of nonprofit industry in which the individual is employed and how successful the organization is at fundraising. The public interest and needs fluctuate significantly over time and as the interests change or expand. Nonprofit management degrees therefore provide graduates with the skills and knowledge to run the financial and management side of the organization.

Online nonprofit management degrees and accounting degree programs