MS in Nonprofit Management Frequently Asked Questions
Is my accelerated MS in Nonprofit Management as good as a traditional degree?
How often do I attend class?
Can I begin the program at any time of year?
Can I take the courses I'm most interested in without being a degree candidate?
Will I be considered a full-time student if enrolled in this program?
How will the MS in Nonprofit Management enhance my current work environment?
What amount of experience is necessary for students entering the program?
Is my accelerated MS in Nonprofit Management as good as a traditional degree?
Yes. The programs have been approved by the PA Department of Education and Eastern University. The University is also accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. The curriculum is designed for adult learners, and the theory of learning is now used by universities and colleges across the country.
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How often do I attend class?
The MS in Nonprofit Management degree is offered only as an accelerated learning, blended online weekend residency program or annual residency program. For the weekend residency model, over the course of 22 to 24 months (depending on final schedule), each residency will meet approximately ten weekends (starting Friday afternoon and ending mid-afternoon on Sunday). Individuals are responsible for completing reading assignments and papers as "pre-work" before each week's residency as well as additional assignments given by professors at the conclusion of each residency.
For the annual resdiency model, students will meet once a year over the two year program for a two and a half week residency. Individuals are responsible for completing reading assignments and papers as "pre-work" before the residency as well as additional assignments given by professors for each course.
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Can you begin the program at any time of year?
The Weekend Residency model has two starts each year: October and April.
The Annual Residency has one start per year in July.
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Can I take courses I'm most interested in without being a degree candidate?
Unfortunately, the accelerated program does not accommodate those who are not interested in earning a degree. The program of study is created as a "cohort" program, which means that a group of students stays together and takes the 33 graduate credit hours, plus foundation seminars, consecutively. The cohort model had been used by Eastern for more than a decade with great success - particularly in the completion rate (more than 95%) of students in graduate programs.
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Will I be considered a full-time student if enrolled in this program?
Yes. The scheduling of the course residencies permits individuals to qualify as full-time graduate students, thus they qualify for federally guaranteed student loans.
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How will the MS in Nonprofit Management enhance my current work environment?
The accelerated MS in Nonprofit Management degree is highly practical for working professionals in the nonprofit sector. Each course is designed to provide immediate application from the classroom (cohort interaction, reading materials, and assignments) to your work environment. Students promptly begin to enhance their skills in the following areas: facilitation of a strategic plan, writing case statements and grant requests, conducting a legal audit, and more. Students will find that these skills will assist them and their organizations immediately.
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What amount of experience is necessary for students entering the program?
The program is designed for current and future leaders who have shown dedication and initiative in the nonprofit sector. Ideal candidates have five years of professional work experience, including significant supervisory and leadership responsibilities, with at least three of those years post-baccalaureate.
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