Job Requirements and Career Opportunities with a Masters in Non-Profit Management

If you’re interested in business management and raising money/awareness for a cause you believe in, working as a non-profit manager might be the right choice for you. Earning a master’s degree in this field allows you to qualify for better jobs in this field, giving you more career options and helping you earn a higher salary. If this sounds like an industry that might be a good fit for you, here’s some of the most important information you need to know about working in non-profit management:

Non-Profit Management Career Options

The highest positions in non-profit management are executive-level jobs working as a director or founder of a non-profit organization, or NPO. After graduating with a master’s degree in non-profit management, you’ll certainly be on your way to this type of position, but most work in entry-level non-profit jobs first. You could help with awareness, donor relations, marketing, event planning, accounting, and more. Just like a private sector businesses, non-profits need workers in a wide variety of departments. Larger organizations have entire teams in each area, while smaller NPOs may have a very limited number of paid workers on staff.

Non-Profit Management Job Requirements

Since non-profits work in many of the same ways as private-sector business, you’ll find that there are a number of similarities in how they are run. The entire goal, just like in a for-profit enterprise is to make money, only in this case, the money you make will go toward a cause of some sort, like human rights or cancer research rather than into the pockets of the investors. As a non-profit manager, you’ll likely be paid less than your private sector counterparts, but the payoff is that these jobs are typically extremely rewarding, since you’ll be working for a good cause that you believe in. Non-profit managers typically work long hours, so be prepared for an increased workload if you’re used to working in the private sector.

Non-Profit Management Education

You can get started working in NPOs with just a bachelor’s degree and most are happy to accept volunteers of any education level. If you want to work in a management position, though, where your decisions will have a greater impact, earning a master’s degree is a must. Your education will prepare you to ethically run an NPO while raising the most money and awareness for the issue that’s close to your heart.

Top Online Master of Nonprofit Management Degrees

Managing a non-profit entity — whether it be a charitable organization, school, association, foundation, or endowment — will generally require at least a master's degree (MS, MBA, or MPA) in nonprofit management. The schools listed below all offer accredited online masters in nonprofit management degrees.

	University of the Rockies offers a Master of Arts in Human Services with a Not-for-Profit Management specialization. This program equips students with the knowledge and skills necessary for managing a not-for-profit organization, including maintaining budgets, overseeing daily operations, and managing employees. Click Here
	Prepare for the competitive job market with an undergraduate degree from regionally accredited New England College. A private college rooted in a strong liberal arts foundation, NEC offers three undergraduate degrees 100% online. Click Here
	An MBA with a concentration in Nonprofit Management from Marylhurst University helps you develop confidence in your business leadership skills and build a strong foundation you’ll need to succeed in your career. Click Here