Master of Arts in Nonprofit Management

Graduate 

Nonprofit organizations confront the challenges and opportunities that mission-driven organizations face today in areas such as succession planning, volunteerism, resource development and competitive funding. The Master of Arts in Nonprofit Management addresses these areas, drawing on the expertise of experienced practitioners in the St. Louis area.

The graduate program in nonprofit management provides a range of courses that address the major responsibilities and challenges of nonprofit and human resources management. It prepares students to work effectively in the field, and it enhances the management skills of those seeking careers in related fields. This program is designed for working adults attending school on a part-time basis.

Program Objectives

This program provides students with the skills and resources needed to lead mission-driven organizations as productive examples of social entrepreneurship. Studies are grounded in the historical context of nonprofit management and philanthropy, and students acquire skills in all operational areas of nonprofit management, including financial management, law, grant writing, volunteer management, resource development, research and statistical analysis, and marketing communications. At the strategic level, the program teaches leadership, organization development, strategic planning, and the skills of social entrepreneurship.

Who Should Apply?

This master’s program is designed for experienced nonprofit managers seeking advancement in the field, individuals who are new to the workforce looking for entry-level positions in the field, and experienced professionals from another field who wish to make a transition to the nonprofit sector.

Contact Us

Contact us today to see how CAPS can work for you.

I strongly recommend the Nonprofit Management program to other leaders in the field, not only for their own professional development, but ultimately for the betterment of our region as a whole.”

DAVID CARROLL
MA in Nonprofit Management
Admission Requirements
Transferring Credit

A maximum of six units of related, comparable graduate-level course work may be transferred from another university or from a related graduate program at Washington University with the approval of the program director. These must be graduate-level units not used to fulfill undergraduate degree requirements. Transfer credit may be granted only for authorized courses for which the student received a grade of B or higher. 

US Citizenship or Eligible Noncitizen

International students interested in the certificate programs must hold a visa that permits part-time study (including F-2 and J-2 visas).  Students holding  F-1 visas are not eligible for these programs.  Students holding a B-2 visa may be eligible if the coursework is recreational or avocational in nature.

Application Requirements
Application Deadlines

Admission decisions are made on a rolling basis and typically take one to two weeks. An application is incomplete and will not be reviewed until all of the application requirements have been received or processed.  Applicants are encouraged to submit all materials by the following dates:

  • Summer 2024: April 30, 2024
  • Fall 2024: July 31, 2024
  • Spring 2025: Dec. 31, 2024
Completed Application Form

The online application is available on our Apply page. Applications are ready for review when all fields on the application form are completed and the required documents have been received.

Official Transcripts From All Previous College Work

Transcripts are required from each institution that you have attended and taken courses, received your bachelor’s degree, taken post-graduate courses, or where a higher-level degree was conferred.  Official transcripts must be sent directly from the school’s registrar to CAPS.  Electronic transcripts should be forwarded to caps@wustl.edu.  For transcript questions, please get in touch with our Admission Coordinator/CRM Specialist, Patricia Agnew, paagnew@wustl.edu.

Non-United States course work transcript verification
If the transcript you submit for consideration is from a college or university outside the United States, a course by course transcript evaluation is also required. Evaluations will be accepted from World Education Services (WES), Spantran or another member institution of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). For Spantran evaluations, you must use this form

Personal Essay

Tell us about yourself in a brief essay (about 250 words). Why are you applying to WashU School of Continuing & Professional Studies? What are your goals, both academic and professional? Is there additional information we should know about you when considering your application?

Three Letters of Recommendation

A college instructor or professional associate should complete letters of recommendation. If an instructor cannot be contacted, applicants may submit a waiver request to provide three professional recommendations. Letters can be submitted through the online application or mailed by the recommender.

Writing Sample

Describe a significant challenge to the nonprofit sector over the next three years, and explain how you will respond to this challenge as a nonprofit professional.

Enrolling in the School of Continuing & Professional Studies (CAPS)

We are here for you every step. Getting started at CAPS is easy.

1. Meet with a Recruiter
2. Start Your Application
  • Applying is easy, and our advisors are here to help you find the path that fits your needs. Apply Today!
3. Plan Ahead

Take a course today. Apply later.

At CAPS, students can take courses without applying to a degree program. If you are interested in taking a class to get to know CAPS, to fulfill credits, for professional development, or to follow a passion, the non-degree option is for you. Learn more.

Course Work

The Master of Arts in Nonprofit Management consists of 36 units of graduate course work covering all aspects of nonprofit administration and management in a combination of nonprofit and human resources management courses, of which 27 units are required.

REQUIRED COURSES: 27 UNITS

  • Management in Nonprofit Organizations (U76 507)
  • Resource Development for Nonprofit Organizations (U76 508)
  • Statistics and Research Design in Nonprofit Management (U76 510)
  • Integrated Capstone Project for Nonprofit Management (U76 514)
  • Organizational Behavior and Management (U76 520)
  • Financial Management of Nonprofit Organizations (U76 525)
  • Human Resources Management (U76 531)
  • Leadership in the Nonprofit Sector (U76 555)
  • Legal Issues Impacting Nonprofit Organizations (U76 570)

ELECTIVE COURSES: 9 UNITS

The remainder of courses (9 credits total) are nonprofit-related electives of the student’s choice.

CFRE
CFRE International Approved Courses

Some Nonprofit Management courses are approved for 37.5 CFRE certification points per course. Please review our individual course descriptions to determine which courses are approved.

Student Success Navigators

Every CAPS student is paired with a Student Success Navigator at the time of admission to help you navigate your path and needs. We will provide you with the tools to make each moment spent on your education as valuable as possible. Students will receive:

  • individual appointments with an experienced Student Success Navigator;
  • career planning services to prepare you for opportunities after graduation;
  • a partner throughout your journey to ensure success.

HOURS
Student Success Navigators are available from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday.

Still have questions?

Program Coordinator: 
Joe Cruz
314-935-8665
CJoe@wustl.edu

Academic Advisor:
Rebecca O’Laughlin 
314-935-6742
Rolaughlin@wustl.edu