A Guide to Nonprofit-Focused Graduate Degree Programs

Ten million people, or about 7% of the U.S. workforce, are employed by the nonprofit sector. Are you one of these people? Do you want to be? Whether you’re looking for a career boost or an opportunity to break into the nonprofit world, a master’s degree focused on the public sector can help you get there.

As the realization that passion doesn’t automatically lead to success comes to more and more non-profit managers, public sector organizations have changed their business model to run themselves more and more like their for-profit counterparts. No one has made this quite as clear as Warren Buffett, who made a global statement about the importance of business know-how in the public sector with his multi-billion dollar gift to the Gates Foundation.

The good news is that colleges and universities across the country are getting the hint. Nonprofit-focused graduate programs exist in over 100 schools and this number is sure to grow as organizations begin to rely on the training and talent of a new generation of public sector leaders.

Should I go back?

The recent growth in the number of nonprofit-focused graduate programs means that there are plenty of opportunities to stand out in the pool of nonprofit job candidates, but it also indicates that an increasingly competitive job market is afoot. While graduate degrees are not generally required for public sector jobs, if you are serious about your career goals in this area, an advanced degree is certainly something to consider. If the growing popularity of these degree programs continues, enrolling sooner rather than later will put you ahead of the game. What are my choices?

Is there a program out there for you? You may be surprised at the variety of nonprofit-focused degree programs that exist. Here are descriptions of a few:

MBA: Masters of Business Administration programs come with a variety of public sector “twists” such as Northwestern’s Social Enterprise concentration at the Kellogg School of Business. Net Impact recently published a survey titled Business as UNusual, which outlines approximately 40 business school programs that successfully incorporate a socially-focused curriculum.

MPA: The Masters of Public Administration teaches students how to apply business skills to the public sector. If jobs like Grants Manager, Director of Development, Manager of Philanthropic Programs, or Community Involvement Representative interest you, an MPA may be what you are looking for.

MPP: A Masters of Public Policy can lead to a career in local or state governments or governmental agencies, nonprofit organizations or think tanks. Positions may include Policy Analyst, Director of Research or Government Relations Manager.

MUP: A Masters of Urban Planning degree focuses on city revitalization, empowerment of impoverished areas, and environmental concerns. Graduates typically secure jobs in such organizations as the UN, USAID, the World Bank, local and state housing agencies and nonprofit organizations that assist the homeless.

MSW: A Masters of Social Work degree is generally required for any managerial position in this field and academic programs often include a year of classroom study and a year of field work. Graduates often find jobs in fields including adoption support, child protection, employment, hospice care, mental health counseling and school social work.