Curriculum & Course Information
“Learning about effective nonprofit strategies in an academic setting breathes new life in what we are actually doing within our organization. Kudos to USD for putting together such a fantastic program!” Kelly Mitchell, Development Director, San Diego Crew Classic, class of 2006
Master of Arts in Leadership Studies –
Nonprofit Leadership and Management
(36 Units)
The goal of this 36 unit program is to provide existing and aspiring nonprofit practitioners with cutting-edge leadership theories and state-of-the-art management tools that can be used to create high-performing organizations. Students learn new ways of conceptualizing their work through their studies with noted faculty from the School of Leadership and Education Sciences as well as from prominent nonprofit practitioners who teach in our program. Most courses include applied projects with locally-based nonprofits where concepts learned in the classroom come to life. In addition, beginning in fall 2008, all students will participate in a multi-cultural academic experience of their choosing – either in San Diego or elsewhere – that is designed to strengthen their ability to understand and lead diverse organizations.
I. Required Courses (33 Units) |
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Please note: the highlighted program links provide summary course descriptions, syllabi and faculty bios.
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Please note: In rare instances where a student has a demonstrated competency in one of the following subject areas: Finance, Marketing, Strategic Planning, Fundraising, Nonprofit Legal Issues, or Research Design/Program Evaluation the student may approach the program director and subsequently, the course professor, about opting out of that course. If the director and professor agree, the student may substitute elective units for those required courses. No other course substitutions will be granted.
II. Electives: (1 unit and 2 unit course from which students will select 3 or more units):
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Other electives may be added.
“Being in an environment where the students are learning from each other adds to the wealth of real world experience from the faculty.” Crystal Trull, Nonprofit Consultant, class of 2004
III. Practice Component and Portfolio Requirements (please note: these are distinct from the general MA portfolio requirements).
The majority of the courses offered in the nonprofit concentration will contain one or more practice projects with nonprofit organizations. A student may not undertake more than 2/3 of his/her projects with a single nonprofit agency.
The terminal project for this degree is a portfolio of demonstrated competencies which will be evidenced by a submission of no fewer than three practice projects with accompanying supporting documents, a narrative explaining the process you undertook to complete each assignment, and the impact said assignments had on the nonprofit agency with which you worked. In addition, each student will be asked to prepare a synthesis of what s/he learned in the core Leadership classes. The students’ portfolios will be evaluated by a nonprofit program faculty member and an external practitioner. Students must submit two copies of their completed portfolio to his/her program advisor no later than two weeks before the last day of classes in the semester in which he or she intends to graduate.
Portfolio Due Dates:
Friday, April 25, 2008 for May 2008 graduation.
Friday, August 15, 2008 for August 2008 graduation.
Click here for portfolio guidelines.
Criteria for Assessing the Portfolio:
In assessing a portfolio, the review panel will ask the following questions:
1. Does the portfolio demonstrate an ability to write clearly and organize and present materials in an effective manner?
2. Does the material demonstrate the student has incorporated the knowledge s/he has learned in class in a practice setting?
3. Have the selected projects made an impact on the nonprofit for which they were designed?
4. Does the portfolio demonstrate an ability to synthesize and apply knowledge acquired in the program?
Click here for portfolio review criteria.
IV. Exit Requirements
1. Students must submit a complete portfolio in accordance with the aforementioned requirements.
2. Students must maintain a 3.0 grade point average to be eligible for the master’s degree.
V. Optional Certification in American Humanics
Certification is open to all current students and alumni of the graduate or certificate program. Students wishing to be AH certified must complete the following:
• EDLD 501 - Capstone course on Nonprofit Management • At least 300 hours of work in a nonprofit (this can be actual work experience in a nonprofit or volunteer work) • Attendance at the American Humanics Management Institute or an equivalent professional development meeting (i.e. AFP national meetings, AMA Cause Marketing Conference, etc.) |
The first step of AH membership is to create your student profile. Click here for details.
For more information on becoming AH certified, please contact Laura Stein.
