Spertus | Nonprofit Management

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The Spertus Center for Nonprofit Management brings to life the Jewish concept of Tikkun Olam, repair of the world.

Curriculum Links

Cohort Schedules

For more information, to RSVP for an Open House Session, or to schedule a personal information session, contact Nadia Whiteside at 312.322.1707 nwhiteside@spertus.edu or openhouse@spertus.edu.

Nonprofit Management

MSNM Curriculum

The MSNM program is composed of the following elements:

Core courses
(38 credit hours)
Synthesis sessions and Program Capstone
(2 credit hours)
Completion Options: Concentration or Independent Project (10 credit hours)

Academic System

Accelerated quarter system preseneted in 14 content modules
Total: 50 quarter credit hours

Core Courses

Overview of Nonprofit Organizations and the Management of Nonprofits (3 classes)
Essential Skills for Thinking Critically (4 classes)
Written and Oral Communication Skills (8 classes)
Management and Leadership in Nonprofit Organizations (8 classes)
Organizational Culture and Governance (6 classes)
Management of the Work Environment (8 classes)
Strategic Planning (6 classes)
Applied Research and Program Evaluation (8 classes)
Budgeting and Finance (8 classes)
Revenue Development for Nonprofit Organizations (6 classes)
Legal and Human Resources Issues (8 classes)
Writing for the Professions (6 classes)
Knowledge Management (6 classes)
Ethics in Nonprofit Organizations (6 classes)
Program Capstone (5 classes)

Synthesis Activities

Four times during the program students will solve a complex pre-assigned case study problem in groups as a culminating exercise of a module series. These synthesis exercises will occur after Modules 3, 6, and 10 and as part of Module 14 (the Program Capstone).

Completion Option 1

The Concentration Area

Students select one of the concentration areas and take four courses, totaling 21 weeks. Concentration courses are offered on Monday nights, allowing students to complete concentration courses while attending core courses with their cohort at the same time.

Concentration Area I: Fundraising Management

History and Infrastructure of Philanthropy (4 classes)
Individual and Institutional Donor Cultivation (7 classes)
Entrepreneurial and Earned Income (4 classes)
Grant Writing (6 classes)

Concentration Area II: Human Services Administration

American Social Policy and the Development of Human Services (6 classes)
Analysis of Community Characteristics (5 classes)
Special Issues in Human Services Administration (4 classes)
Grantwriting for Human Services Professionals (6 classes)

*Concentration Areas will be demarcated on students' diplomas and transcripts

Completion Option 2: Independent Project

Students may elect to complete and Independent Project. Students selecting this option will have the opportunity to work with an academic advisor for six months to complete their project.

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