Master of Science in Nonprofit Management Frequently Asked Questions
Is my Fast-Track degree as good as a traditional degree?
How often do I attend class?
Can you begin the program at any time of year?
Can I take 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 Fast-Track degree as good as a traditional degree?
Yes. Your Fast-Track degree is as good as a traditional degree. The programs have been approved by the PA Department of Education and Eastern University. The University is also approved by the Middle States Accreditation. 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, weekend residency program. Over the course of approximately 22-24 months (depends on final schedule), each residency will meet approximately ten weekends (starting Friday afternoon and finishing up mid-afternoon on Sunday). Individuals will be responsible for completing reading assignments and papers as "pre-work" before each week's residency as well as additional assignments assigned by professors at the conclusion of the residency.
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Can you begin the program at any time of year?
Yes. Cohort groups, composed of 12-15 graduate students, are expected to start every few months through out the year. Once you join a particular cohort, you will study with these students for the entire length of the program..
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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 obtaining a degree. The program of study is created as a "cohort" program, which means that a group of students will stay together and take 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 of students in graduate programs, a rate that is more than 95%!
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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 fulltime graduate students 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, etc. 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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