Public Administration Program
School of Politics, Public Affairs & International Studies
MPA + Non-Profit Organizations Focus
Overview
The Nonprofit focus within the Master of Public Administration program is designed for individuals who aspire to take-on the challenges of nonprofit administration and policy in the 21st Century.
Our students come from a variety of backgrounds, ranging from traditional graduate students attending full-time on the UW campus to professionals in communities throughout the state and region, working across may nonprofit fields including United Way, Peace Corps, National Public Radio, and many smaller local nonprofit organizations.
While most graduates go on to leadership and management positions in the non-profit sectors, the MPA-Nonprofit is also a good degree option for individuals interested in entering academia by providing the educational credentials to teach at the community college level or as an intermediary degree for those aiming to pursue a PhD or other doctoral degree.
Program of Study
Students who enroll in the Nonprofit focus are required to complete total 39 credit hours. These courses include 8 required core courses in the MPA program, 4 Nonprofit courses, and one additional elective. The nonprofit classes include:
- POLS 5465 Survey of the Nonprofit Sector
- POLS 4710 Nonprofit Management and Fundraising
- POLS 5500 Internship in Public and Nonprofit Administration*
- ENGL 4075 Writing for Nonprofits
*Students with at least 2 years of experience working in the nonprofit system can request to substitute an additional Nonprofit elective course for the internship requirement.
Graduation
All Graduate Faculty Regulations will apply to all the courses on the MPA degree Program of Study and students will be required to finish the same graduation requirements as all other graduate students.
