Earning an online MBA in Nonprofit Management degree opens up career advancement opportunities in the nonprofit sector! Professionals with the MBA degree possess effective business administration skills with rewarding applications in the wide range of business and financial occupations.

In addition, their skill sets have specific applications to the nonprofit industry, too, thanks to their specialized knowledge in nonprofit management. The career advancement opportunities are particularly plentiful in nonprofit organizations, social foundations and enterprises, and government agencies.

At a Glance

Students in the best online MBA programs with a nonprofit management concentration receive an excellent business education consisting of a comprehensive curriculum. The coursework blends core business administration courses with concentration nonprofit management courses, as well as a capstone course/project or a master’s thesis.

Contrary to popular opinion, graduates of the best online MBA programs with a nonprofit management concentration enjoy premium pay, too! According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there’s a “persistent total compensation premium for service workers” in nonprofit organizations.

Best Online MBA in Nonprofit Management

The colleges and universities that offer these online MBA programs are also regionally accredited institutions. with their accreditation granted by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges or the New England Commission of Higher Education, among others. These business schools also have programmatic accreditation from one of three agencies, namely:

Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) (The gold standard of accreditation among business schools with under 200 accredited members)
Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE) (Formerly, the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education)

When choosing your online MBA program, be sure to consider the quality of instruction, cost of attendance and time-to-degree, and student and career support services.

University of Maine

Maine Business School

Online MBA in Public and Nonprofit Management Program

Tuition per credit: $650 (Applies to in-state, out-of-state and international students)
Units Required: 33 credits
Program Length: 20 months, on average
Financial Assistance Options: Federal financial aid, scholarships and assistantships

The AACSB-accredited MBA in Public and Nonprofit Management program develops business and non-business professionals for future leadership positions in for-profit and nonprofit industries. The comprehensive curriculum in the nonprofit management online program demands effective time management skills due to its rigorous nature.

Courses:

Managing Governments and Nonprofits
Measuring Performance in the Public and Nonprofit Sectors
Innovation and Change in Nonprofits
Strategic Planning in the Public and Nonprofit Sectors

Prospective graduate students who want to earn the nonprofit management degree must first pass the rigorous admission process. Requirements include a bachelor’s degree with at least 3.0 GPA, official transcripts, and GMAT/GRE scores.

Oklahoma State University

Spears School of Business

Online MBA in Nonprofit Management Program

Tuition per credit: $481.15 (Resident); $611.35 (Non-resident)
Units Required: 39 credit hours
Program Length: As few as 16 months
Financial Assistance Options: Federal financial aid, scholarships and grants, and loans

The AACSB-accredited MBA in Nonprofit Management program features ultra-affordable tuition and world-class academic instruction that results in its graduates being sought-after professionals in diverse industries. Students benefit from the prestigious reputation of OSU, too, thanks to its emphasis on the acquisition of real-world knowledge and skills.

Courses:

Management of Nonprofit Organizations
Fundraising for Nonprofit Organizations

Students in the nonprofit management online program have access to the Spears Mentoring Program and to its excellent career services including career competency development and employer connectivity. Applicants to the nonprofit management degree program must have a bachelor’s degree and either competitive GMAT/GRE scores or three years of professional work experience.

Murray State University

Arthur J. Bauernfeind College of Business

Online MBA in Nonprofit Leadership Program

Tuition per credit: $548.50
Units Required: 30 credit hours
Program Length: As few as 12-18 months
Financial Assistance Options: Federal financial aid and other financial aid options; pay-as-you-go

The AACSB-accredited MBA in Nonprofit Leadership program prepares students for the challenging work in the nonprofit sector but also empowers them to become leaders in the for-profit and government industries. Students in the MBA nonprofit management online program have access to training and consultancy services.

Courses:

The Nonprofit Sector and Civil Society
Financial Management for Nonprofits
Nonprofit Organizations and Community Development: Comprehensive Strategies for Impact

The MBA with a nonprofit leadership concentration program requires completion of a capstone course in strategic management. Students also strengthen their nonprofit leadership skills via free accounting and economics modules. Admission into the nonprofit management online program requires a bachelor’s degree, among others.

Suffolk University

Sawyer Business School

Online MBA/Nonprofit Program

Tuition per credit: $1,716
Units Required: 45 credits
Program Length: As few as 12 months
Financial Assistance Options: Federal financial aid and need-based and merit-based financial aid options

The AACSB-accredited MBA/Nonprofit program features a comprehensive curriculum that prepares students for leadership of for-profit and nonprofit organizations. Students acquire skills in finance, operations and strategic management, among other executive leadership skills, get access to Suffolk’s extensive alumni network, and be known to the local business community.

Courses:

Nonprofit Management
Foundations of Public Service and Administration
Collaborative Public Management
Grant Writing and Management
Civic Innovation and Citizen Engagement

Students in the MBA nonprofit management online program participate in live client sessions that strengthen their real-world skills, too.

Coastal Carolina University

Wall College of Business

Online MBA in Nonprofit Administration Program

Tuition per credit: $598 (In-state); $1,191 (Out-of-state)
Units Required: 30 credits
Program Length: As few as 12 months
Financial Assistance Options: Federal financial aid, military benefits, and alternative loans

The AACSB-accredited MBA in Nonprofit Administration program emphasizes industry-specific skills including nonprofit grant writing, fundraising and financial governance, and social responsibility. The 10-course curriculum includes seven core courses intended to empower students with broad business skills. Graduates of the MBA Nonprofit Management online program are then able to transition between the for-profit and nonprofit sectors.

Courses:

Financial Governance for Nonprofit Board Members
Grant Writing for Nonprofit Organizations
Sustainability and Social Responsibility

The nonprofit management online program uses an interactive learning management system that fosters productive relationships between students and professors.

Regent University

School of Business and Leadership

Online MBA in Not-for-profit Management Program

Tuition per credit: $695
Units Required: 42 credits
Program Length: As few as 16 months
Financial Assistance Options: Federal and state aid, school-funded scholarships, and military benefits

The ACBSP-accredited MBA in Not-for-profit Management program emphasizes the Christian perspective in knowledge acquisition and skills development. Business competencies covered include strategic fundraising, strategic management, and volunteer management with an international approach. Students can also apply their learnings via work-related projects or market research.

Courses:

Managing Not-For-Profit and Faith-Based Organizations
Not-For-Profit and Faith-Based Organizations Fundraising Development
Not-For-Profit Start-Up

Graduates possess the skills to develop strategies for launching new for-profit and nonprofit ventures, apply leadership skills in diverse settings, and achieve organizational goals.

Johnson and Wales University

College of Professional Studies

Online MBA in Nonprofit Management Program

Tuition per credit: $842
Units Required: 36-42 credits
Program Length: 15-24 months
Financial Assistance Options: Federal financial aid, scholarships and grants, private loans, and military benefits

Students in the MBA in Nonprofit Management program develop exceptional business competencies resulting in their excellence in fort-profit and nonprofit work. Their ability to think beyond the box in tackling societal issues enables them to make a positive impact on their communities – and it’s due in part to their intensive exposure to the diverse backgrounds of their peers and professors.

Courses:

Theory and Practice of Nonprofit Management
Methodological, Decision-Making and Analytic Techniques
Financial Reporting and Control
Financial Management and Budgeting in Nonprofit Organizations
Program Evaluation

Students in the MBA Nonprofit Management online program complete a career capstone course in business policy and strategy.

Liberty University

School of Business

MBA in Nonprofit Leadership and Management

Tuition per credit: $565 (Full-time); $615 (Part-time)
Units Required: 45 credits
Program Length: 2 years, on average
Financial Assistance Options: Federal and state financial aid, first responders and military benefits, scholarships and flexible payment plans

The ACBSP-accredited MBA in Nonprofit Leadership and Management program empowers students through its rigorous curriculum that emphasizes working for the common good. Students gain a Christian perspective while developing exceptional business competencies vital in applying nonprofit leadership skills in real-world situations. Their skill sets include human resource development, operations management, and compliance with legal and ethical requirements.

Courses:

Workforce Planning and Employment
Grant Acquisition and Management
Nonprofit Management
Strategic Communication Campaigns for the Digital Age

Graduates are among the most successful in their fields because of their ability to maximize team effort and community initiatives.

College of Mount Saint Vincent

Department of Accounting, Business, and Economics

Online MBA in Nonprofit Management Program

Tuition per credit: $521
Units Required: 30-36 credit hours
Program Length: As few as 12 months
Financial Assistance Options: Federal and state financial aid, institutional aid, and private loans

Students in the ACBSP-accredited MBA in Nonprofit Management program become well-prepared for service leadership roles in the nonprofit sector but are just as qualified for leadership positions in for-profit companies. In both cases, graduates are able to make a huge impact on their organizations with their topnotch management skills.

Courses:

Theory and Practice of Nonprofit Management
Marketing for Nonprofit Organizations
Fundraising and Institutional Advancement
The Law and Governance of Nonprofit Organizations
Accounting and Financial Management for Nonprofit Organizations
Social Entrepreneurship and Sustainability

Graduates are qualified for jobs as fundraising managers, program directors, and nonprofit executive directors.

Concordia University Wisconsin

Batterman School of Business

Online MBA in Nonprofit Management and Public Administration Program

Tuition per credit: $699
Units Required: 33 credits
Program Length: 2 years
Financial Assistance Options: Federal financial aid, military benefits, and employer reimbursement

The IACBE-accredited MBA in Nonprofit Management and Public Administration program attracts working professionals with a heart for social advocacies. Students develop their business competencies while also digging deeper into the challenges that come with nonprofit management.

Courses:

Nonprofit Fundraising and Grant Writing
Publicity and Public Relations
Sustainability and Social Entrepreneurship

Students can also earn a graduate certificate.

Admission to Graduation: Must-know Information About the Best Online MBA in Nonprofit Management Programs

Always read the fine print and ask for more information about the online MBA in nonprofit management programs you’re interested in. Once you’re invested in it, you will want to complete the program, earn the MBA degree, and reap its rewards.

Admission Requirements

Online MBA programs have the following typical minimum admission requirements:

Bachelor’s degree in business administration or other fields from a regionally accredited institution; minimum GPA requirements apply
Official transcripts
Minimum number of post-baccalaureate professional work experience
Professional resume or curriculum vitae
Personal statement
Letters of recommendation
GMAT/GRE scores (May be optional or waived)

MBA programs evaluate applicants based on a holistic basis by considering academic performance and potential and readiness for graduate studies, among others.

Curriculum and Courses

Online MBA programs feature comprehensive curriculums with core business administration and specialization nonprofit management courses. The core MBA courses cover topics in:

Financial accounting (i.e., key accounting principles and practices)
Managerial accounting
Project management
Strategic marketing
Business law and ethics

The specific concentration courses vary between MBA in Nonprofit Management programs but typical examples of common courses include:

Nonprofit Management and Leadership, an overview of the field with emphasis on leadership principles and practices, law and ethics, and best practices in the nonprofit industry.
Financial management for nonprofit organizations, a course that emphasizes the financial principles and practices unique to the nonprofit sector
Strategic Planning in Nonprofit Management, an exploration of the development, implementation and evaluation of strategic plans among nonprofit organizations
Fundraising and Resource Development, a course that focuses on the strategies used in fundraising and revenue generation among nonprofit organizations
Human Resource Management in Nonprofits, an exploration of the industry-specific human resource management practices including volunteer management and leadership development.
Program Evaluation and Impact Assessment, a course tackling data collection and analysis, evaluation methodologies, and program improvement strategies.
Nonprofit Governance and Law, an examination of the legal and ethical frameworks of nonprofit organizations.

Elective courses may or may not be offered.

Capstone and/or Thesis Requirements

Students in online MBA programs comply with either capstone or thesis requirements. This is an important aspect of choosing an MBA program since a master’s thesis usually has a longer time-to-completion than a capstone course, even with a capstone project requirement.

On one hand, a capstone project can be an applied research project that tackles real-world issues in a specific nonprofit setting or a consulting project where students work with their choice in a nonprofit organization on a consultancy basis. The capstone project also involves a written report and/or formal presentation of the applied research or consultancy work.

On the other hand, a master’s thesis is a formal paper intended to add to the current body of knowledge in business administration and/or nonprofit management. Students are also required to defend their master’s thesis in front of a panel of professors and industry experts.

Typical Time-to-degree

Many online MBA programs have a two-year time-to-degree, on average, for full-time students. The time-to-degree stretches to 3-4 years for part-time students. There are also accelerated MBA programs with less than 24 months of time-to-completion, but these feature intensive, fast-paced coursework.

Transfer credits shorten the time-to-degree and, thus, it’s a great way to save on cost of attendance and reap the return on investments on a faster timeline.

Online Learning Experiences

Business schools with online MBA programs use a specific learning management system (LMS) that allows students and professors, as well as administrative staff, to conduct a wide range of learning-related activities. Canvas, Blackboard, and Moodle are among the most popular LMS used today with features that enable:

Live online classes and videoconferencing sessions
Evaluation of academic performance among students, such as quizzes, exams and assignments as well as individual and group projects, presentations and case studies
Multimedia content creation and access, such as recorded lectures, presentations and case studies
Online discussion boards, threads and forums
Access to student support services including digital libraries and research databases, technical support services, and career support services, as well as professor-led coaching and staff-led administrative services

Online students must comply with the technology requirements, such as computer specs and Internet speed, for full participation in the learning activities.

Residency Requirements

Online colleges and universities offering nonprofit management MBAs may or may not have residency requirements – many are 100% online programs without requirements for on-campus visits and in-person activities. For programs with residency requirements, these are usually for purposes of orientation/onboarding, in-person workshops and seminars, and capstone project presentations or master’s thesis defense.

Development of Hard and Soft Skills

Earning an MBA in Nonprofit Management results in the acquisition of specialized knowledge needed for success in the nonprofit sector in particular and in business administration in general. The hard skills that nonprofit managers and business professionals develop include financial management, strategic planning, and strategic fundraising and grant writing, among others.

The soft skills, which can be applied in any workplace and industry, that nonprofit managers and leaders must develop include:

Leadership skills including motivation, change management, and team building
Relationship building skills including negotiating partnerships and collaborating with professionals from diverse backgrounds
Communication and advocacy skills including public speaking and written communication
Cultural competence is a must since nonprofit managers work with peoples from different communities and cultures
Emotional intelligence is vital in negotiation and conflict resolution, rapport building, and dealing with the challenges of nonprofit work
Innovation, resourcefulness and adaptability because nonprofit management professionals usually deal with limited resources and ever-evolving environments

Tuition and Financial Aid

Online MBA in Nonprofit Management programs have an average tuition of $61,800; the figure doesn’t include fees, incidental expenses and other aspects of the total cost of attendance. Applying for financial aid is highly recommended.

Online MBA in Non-Profit Management - fact

Popular Career Paths

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean wage for managerial occupations is $131,200 per year. Graduates of online MBA in Nonprofit Management programs can then look forward to high-paying jobs in for-profit companies and nonprofit organizations.

Executive Directors

These are the highest-ranking professionals in nonprofits who are responsible for their overall management including fundraising, strategic planning, and marketing.

Development Directors

These professionals are experts at fundraising and revenue generation as well as fund development that create sustainable cash flows for their organizations.

Program Managers

Their specialized knowledge and skills enable them to oversee the entire process, from creation, implementation and evaluation to expansion of the programs that their nonprofit organizations adopt.

Social Entrepreneurs

Professionals may also choose to pursue their advocacies by starting their own social enterprises or nonprofit ventures.

Operations Managers

These professionals are in charge of the day-to-day operations including policy formulation, resource allocations, and human resource management.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do online MBA in Nonprofit Management programs accept students without a business degree and/or background?

Yes, but students may be required to complete foundational business courses to earn the online MBA in Nonprofit Management degree.

Are specializations offered in online MBA in Nonprofit Management programs?

Yes, but specializations within nonprofit management are uncommon. Common examples include international development, social entrepreneurship, and fundraising. You may also be able to tailor your MBA degree to your unique interests by taking elective courses or earning a graduate certificate simultaneously.

What is the main difference between a master’s degree and an MBA in Nonprofit Management degree?

The master’s degree focuses more on nonprofit management as a specialized discipline while the MBA degree considers nonprofit management under the umbrella of business administration.

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