Non Profit Schools: Advanced Education Pros and Cons

Current estimates place approximately seven percent of the U.S. workforce, or ten million people, in nonprofit employment. As more emphasis has been placed on professional skills and strategic capabilities, more individuals from private and public industry are considering non profit organizations as viable employment options, and raising the competitive field of talent. In order to stand out and be attractive to a non profit organization, more individuals are pursuing non profit schools and programs at the graduate level.

Helpfulness may be a given at non profit organizations, but business experience and an understanding of how to apply business acumen to attaining the non profit organization’s goals are in strong demand. Prospective applicants to non profit schools and programs should weigh the expenses, time commitment, and area of interest against the needs of the non profit organization, the positions available for qualified applicants, and the potential for career growth within the non profit arena.

Non profit schools and programs at accredited colleges and universities which offer specific degrees like the Master of Business Administration, Master of Public Administration and Master of Social Work can cost $30,000 per year in tuition for a full-time student. The programs average 18 months to two years in length. Graduate degree holders often face lower salary thresholds that are present at most non profit organizations, and may have to seek private industry compensation to justify the investment in their education. It should be noted that non profit organizations are one of the fastest areas of growth, and pay packages have become more competitive in recent years. Non profit organizations value individuals with specialized graduate degrees and those individuals can catapult their own careers by bypassing entry-level positions.

If a non profit school or degree program is in your future, be open to all the options. Be especially attentive to the possibilities of receiving financial aid, fellowships, and scholarship programs which can actually reward you for pursuing your degree and your intentions to serve your community.