Introducing the Master’s in Nonprofit Leadership

The College is excited to announce the launch of its Master of Arts in Nonprofit Leadership, a new program designed for those who are currently, or aspire to be, engaged in nonprofit work. Offered in a 100% online synchronous structure, the 36-credit program can be completed in two years or less.

Lee Stuart, PhD was hired to serve as the program’s director and brings over four decades of community-building and leadership experience to her new role. Stuart described ideal students as those with knowledge, passion and a willingness to reflect on life’s big questions including, what is the world as it is and how do I think it ought to be? Students who enroll will also be committed to doing “fantastic good” within their workplaces and communities.

The program is made up of seven required courses, three electives and a capstone experience that offers a shared learning process. Students will engage in a practicum experience at a nonprofit with a mentor from the community, while meeting regularly in an accompanying seminar setting with a faculty member and their peers, where they can process, analyze, and integrate their learning experiences together with the cohort and pursue a thesis-level project. Students currently working for a nonprofit are encouraged, but not required, to base their capstone in that nonprofit.

“My goal is that students won’t have to learn their lessons the hard way, but can experience academic, personal and professional support to develop themselves as true community leaders,” Stuart said.

Graduates from the new program are also well-positioned to make an impact. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a 15% increase in public/nonprofit sector jobs from 2020-2030, and in Minnesota, the number of employees working in nonprofit organizations exceeds for-profit companies.

To learn more, visit the Master of Arts Nonprofit Leadership program page.