Nonprofit Leadership, Global Cultures, and Social Enterprise
Master of Arts
Online
Course Delivery
30
Total Credits
$780
Credit Hour
2 Years
Minimum Duration
Program Overview
The Department of Religious Studies offers a fully online, asynchronous masters-level program in Nonprofit Leadership, Global Cultures, and Social Enterprise to accelerate career prospects of early and mid-career professionals for leadership roles by developing practical skills and knowledge needed within the evolving work of nonprofits. The 30-credit program provides a robust learning experience, giving students flexibility with a 5-week course structure to accommodate a busy life and the tools and competencies needed to thrive in the nonprofit sector.
The M.A. program empowers nonprofit leaders to tackle local and global challenges through an ethical lens while building intercultural competence and knowledge of human and ecological systems. Students will enhance their cultural competencies and expand understanding of social change within global, cultural, and religious contexts.
Program Outcomes
The Nonprofit Leadership, Global Cultures, and Social Enterprise M.A. is a professional degree built to empower existing and future nonprofit leaders to reach their potential. With a Master of Arts in Nonprofit Leadership from MSU, graduates will be prepared to:
• Become an inclusive leader through knowledge of religious cultures
• Write a winning grant proposal
• Master nonprofit legal and regulatory frameworks
• Find donors interested in supporting the work of your organization
• Learn effective, ethical governance strategies of nonprofit institutions and civil society organizations
• Identify fundraising and marketing strategies within the nonprofit environment
• Be a more effective driver of social change
Career Outlook
Nonprofit organizations are a sizable economic force employing 12.3 million people, with payrolls exceeding those of most other U.S. industries, including construction, transportation, and finance. Whether currently working in the nonprofit sector or looking to enter the job market, program participants will be able to leverage their knowledge gained from the M.A. to reach their career goals and grow beneficiary impact. Professionals with rigorous training and education in the field can find opportunities in many areas domestically and internationally spanning health services, education, social assistance, religious organizations, environmental groups, arts and recreation, and international development organizations.
A Top-Ranked Education
- 60th Best Public Universities in America — U.S. News & World Report, 2024
- 123rd Global University — U.S. News & World Report, 2024
Dr. Jennifer Marcy
Director of Nonprofit Leadership, Global Cultures, and Social Enterprise programs
Dr. Jennifer Marcy has worked with a wide range of nonprofit organizations in the United States and around the world. She has extensive grant writing experience including program design, proposal writing, and budget development and has worked on solicitations from various donors including government agencies and foundations. Dr. Marcy has also managed multimillion dollar international research and capacity development programs in Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. She is passionate about educating the next generation of nonprofit leaders and enjoys mentoring students to help further their professional goals.
Course Information
At least 30 credits are required for the degree under Plan A (with thesis) or Plan B (without thesis). At least 15 credits must be at the 800-level.
Requirements for Both Plan A and Plan B
Complete a minimum of 26 credits from the following:
Cultural Knowledge
REL 817- Religion, Cultural Knowledge, and Nonprofits (2 credits)
REL 818 - Global Religions, NGOs, and Social Change (2 credits)
REL 819 - Religious Organizations and Civil Society in Asia (2 credits)
REL 820 - Secularism, Publics, and Religions in Asia (2 credits)
Skills and Competencies Group
GNL 821 - Values and Ethics in Applied Leadership (2 credits)
GNL 822 - Cross Cultural Dialogue and Collaboration (2 credits)
GNL 823 - Social Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and Religion (2 credits)
GNL 824 - Social Entrepreneurship and Religion: Case Studies (2 credits)
Structural Knowledge
GNL 827 - Nonprofit Institutions and Civil Society in a Global Context (2 credits)
GNL 828 - Nonprofit Governance (2 credits)
GNL 829 - Nonprofits and the Legal Environment (2 credits)
GNL 830 - Nonprofit and NGO Marketing and Fundraising (2 credits)
GNL 831 - Grant-writing for Nonprofits (2 credits)
Additional Requirements for Plan A
The following course: GNL 899 Master’s Thesis Research (4 credits)
Completion of a master’s thesis.
Additional Requirements for Plan B
Completion of 4 credits of additional course work to meet the requirement of 30 credits for the degree.
Completion of a final oral examination or evaluation.
Learning Experiences
Students must complete the core classes, and choose one elective.
Admissions Requirements
To be accepted to this program, you must have:
- Have a four-year bachelor’s degree from a regionally or nationally accredited institution.
- Have a cumulative undergraduate grade-point average of at least 3.0 in the last two years of undergraduate study.
- Have a high degree of potential for advancement to an organizational leadership role.
- Submit an admissions portfolio consisting of a personal statement and an academic statement, a resume or curriculum vitae, three letters of recommendation, and copies of official university or college transcripts.
- Have an ACM minimum TOEFL score of 90 on the non-native language proficiency test if the student is an international applicant.
To apply to this program:
- Complete a university graduate application and pay the application fee.
- Submit required materials to the application portal.
- Send all official transcripts to Michigan State University.
Key Dates
Rolling Applications
Students can start the program in any semester. We recommend applications are submitted at least one month prior to the start of the semester to allow time for processing.
Tuition & Fees per credit
In-State Tuition
Out-of-State Tuition
$780
$780
Cost of Attendance
The university reserves the right to make changes in the types, structures, rates for fees, and tuition. Every effort will be made to give as much advance notice as possible. In addition to tuition and fees, there are other expenses associated with your Cost of Attendance. A breakdown of a graduate student budget can be found here.
Program Overview
The Department of Religious Studies offers a fully online, asynchronous masters-level program in Nonprofit Leadership, Global Cultures, and Social Enterprise to accelerate career prospects of early and mid-career professionals for leadership roles by developing practical skills and knowledge needed within the evolving work of nonprofits. The 30-credit program provides a robust learning experience, giving students flexibility with a 5-week course structure to accommodate a busy life and the tools and competencies needed to thrive in the nonprofit sector.
The M.A. program empowers nonprofit leaders to tackle local and global challenges through an ethical lens while building intercultural competence and knowledge of human and ecological systems. Students will enhance their cultural competencies and expand understanding of social change within global, cultural, and religious contexts.
Program Outcomes
The Nonprofit Leadership, Global Cultures, and Social Enterprise M.A. is a professional degree built to empower existing and future nonprofit leaders to reach their potential. With a Master of Arts in Nonprofit Leadership from MSU, graduates will be prepared to:
• Become an inclusive leader through knowledge of religious cultures
• Write a winning grant proposal
• Master nonprofit legal and regulatory frameworks
• Find donors interested in supporting the work of your organization
• Learn effective, ethical governance strategies of nonprofit institutions and civil society organizations
• Identify fundraising and marketing strategies within the nonprofit environment
• Be a more effective driver of social change
Career Outlook
Nonprofit organizations are a sizable economic force employing 12.3 million people, with payrolls exceeding those of most other U.S. industries, including construction, transportation, and finance. Whether currently working in the nonprofit sector or looking to enter the job market, program participants will be able to leverage their knowledge gained from the M.A. to reach their career goals and grow beneficiary impact. Professionals with rigorous training and education in the field can find opportunities in many areas domestically and internationally spanning health services, education, social assistance, religious organizations, environmental groups, arts and recreation, and international development organizations.
A Top-Ranked Education
- 60th Best Public Universities in America — U.S. News & World Report, 2024
- 123rd Global University — U.S. News & World Report, 2024
Dr. Jennifer Marcy
Director of Nonprofit Leadership, Global Cultures, and Social Enterprise programs
Dr. Jennifer Marcy has worked with a wide range of nonprofit organizations in the United States and around the world. She has extensive grant writing experience including program design, proposal writing, and budget development and has worked on solicitations from various donors including government agencies and foundations. Dr. Marcy has also managed multimillion dollar international research and capacity development programs in Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. She is passionate about educating the next generation of nonprofit leaders and enjoys mentoring students to help further their professional goals.
Course Information
At least 30 credits are required for the degree under Plan A (with thesis) or Plan B (without thesis). At least 15 credits must be at the 800-level.
Requirements for Both Plan A and Plan B
Complete a minimum of 26 credits from the following:
Cultural Knowledge
REL 817- Religion, Cultural Knowledge, and Nonprofits (2 credits)
REL 818 - Global Religions, NGOs, and Social Change (2 credits)
REL 819 - Religious Organizations and Civil Society in Asia (2 credits)
REL 820 - Secularism, Publics, and Religions in Asia (2 credits)
Skills and Competencies Group
GNL 821 - Values and Ethics in Applied Leadership (2 credits)
GNL 822 - Cross Cultural Dialogue and Collaboration (2 credits)
GNL 823 - Social Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and Religion (2 credits)
GNL 824 - Social Entrepreneurship and Religion: Case Studies (2 credits)
Structural Knowledge
GNL 827 - Nonprofit Institutions and Civil Society in a Global Context (2 credits)
GNL 828 - Nonprofit Governance (2 credits)
GNL 829 - Nonprofits and the Legal Environment (2 credits)
GNL 830 - Nonprofit and NGO Marketing and Fundraising (2 credits)
GNL 831 - Grant-writing for Nonprofits (2 credits)
Additional Requirements for Plan A
The following course: GNL 899 Master’s Thesis Research (4 credits)
Completion of a master’s thesis.
Additional Requirements for Plan B
Completion of 4 credits of additional course work to meet the requirement of 30 credits for the degree.
Completion of a final oral examination or evaluation.
Learning Experiences
Students must complete the core classes, and choose one elective.
Admissions Requirements
To be accepted to this program, you must have:
- Have a four-year bachelor’s degree from a regionally or nationally accredited institution.
- Have a cumulative undergraduate grade-point average of at least 3.0 in the last two years of undergraduate study.
- Have a high degree of potential for advancement to an organizational leadership role.
- Submit an admissions portfolio consisting of a personal statement and an academic statement, a resume or curriculum vitae, three letters of recommendation, and copies of official university or college transcripts.
- Have an ACM minimum TOEFL score of 90 on the non-native language proficiency test if the student is an international applicant.
To apply to this program:
- Complete a university graduate application and pay the application fee.
- Submit required materials to the application portal.
- Send all official transcripts to Michigan State University.
Key Dates
Rolling Applications
Students can start the program in any semester. We recommend applications are submitted at least one month prior to the start of the semester to allow time for processing.
Tuition & Fees per credit
In-State Tuition
Out-of-State Tuition
$780
$780
Cost of Attendance
The university reserves the right to make changes in the types, structures, rates for fees, and tuition. Every effort will be made to give as much advance notice as possible. In addition to tuition and fees, there are other expenses associated with your Cost of Attendance. A breakdown of a graduate student budget can be found here.
The MSU Value Promise
You can be ensured a return on your investment at Michigan State University.
As one of the top research universities in the world, Michigan State University has advanced the common good with uncommon will for more than 160 years.
MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community.
MSU has been offering online degree programs for over 20 years. Our maturity is evident in the high quality of the learning experience enjoyed by our online students.
MSU provides programs and initiatives that support and enhance diversity. We will expand our campus and external partnerships to put in place inclusive recruitment and retention practices. We nurture and promote individuals’ varied experiences and perspectives, ensuring structures and processes make possible full participation by all members of our community.
MSU actively collaborates with campus and external partners to innovate across all dimensions of graduate education. We create and support networks that increase collaboration and improve educational opportunities for our online students.
MSU’s nationally recognized online programs foster student growth and well-being throughout their academic career. We will expand inclusive mentoring practices and accelerate improvement across units to implement evidence-based practices to ensure our students complete successfully.
Continuing education can be one of the most exciting, challenging, and rewarding experiences you undertake in your life. We hope you consider becoming a Spartan, to learn online and reach your career goals. With highly ranked online programs and exceptional professors, we educate students who advance the common good with uncommon will.