Concentration in Non-profit Administration
The new MPA Concentration in Non-profit Management prepares graduates for careers as managers and technical professionals in this important and growing sector. Non-profit agencies meet a wide spectrum of basic needs including food, clothing, shelter, and employment; child, handicapped, and elder care; and social advocacy for people in need. This concentration provides specialized instruction in how not-for-profit organizations operate, and it provides this education within the context of Georgia Southern University's long-standing, nationally accredited public administration program. The concentration consists of four specialty courses plus a non-profit internship with related non-profit internship paper. Complimentary MPA core courses taken by all of our graduate students are in bold type while the specialized non-profit courses appear in bold italics.
Fall Semester, 2008
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Governance of Non-profit Organizations. Non-profit agencies are overseen by governing boards. The administrators, managers, and staff of these organizations provide services within the policies and operational guidelines established by their boards. Other client families also influence non-profit operations, usually through their influence on governing boards. This course explores the internal workings and external relations of governing boards, as well as the impact of their policies on the daily operation of non-profit organizations. Instructor: Dr. Nathan Grasse.
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MPA Core Courses: Foundations of Public Administration
Research Methods
Personnel Management
Spring Semester, 2009
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Managing Non-profit Organizations. This is a major course in any study of non-profit organizations. It provides the varied information and skills needed for successful agency administration. Some of the major aspects of non-profit management include leadership models, staff and volunteer recruitment and training, employee and volunteer supervision, financial administration and contracting, and facilities management. Instructor: Dr. Nathan Grasse.
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Community Organization and Development. Non-profit agencies often are community-based organizations. This means that they draw their mission, resources, and clientele from the unique environment in which they are established. This course examines the history and theory behind the practice of community organizing and the concept of community development in the United States. Additional focus on specific problems faced in local communities is included as well as consideration of specific organizing and development strategies and techniques to address those problems. Instructor: Dr. Erik Brooks.
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MPA Core Course: Budgeting in the Public Sector
Summer Semester, 2009
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Selected Topic: Faith-based Organizations. One of the largest categories of non-profit groups in the United States is that composed of religiously founded or church-related organizations. These organizations attract the support of networks of congregations and individuals who share a commitment to serving people's spiritual as well as material needs. This course examines the distinctive service outlook and internal organizational culture of faith-based agencies. It provides a research based understanding of religiously inspired service to people in acute need. Instructor: Dr. George Cox.
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Internship in Non-profit Organization. As with all MPA programs of study, graduate students spend at least one full semester interning in their chosen field. In-service students who are employed in a non-profit agency can use that organization as their internship, but they will conduct learning activities as in all internships. The information collected during this practicum experience forms the basis for the internship paper. Supervisor: Dr. Nathan Grasse.
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Internship Paper in Non-profit Administration. Each graduate student distills principles of good practice from core and non-profit coursework. These principles are then applied as standards to the observations of agency operations documented during the internship process. The internship paper is reviewed by the MPA Faculty, and its findings are defended in an oral examination. Supervisor: Dr. George Cox.
Fall Semester, 2009
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Governance of Non-Profit Organizations. Repeat from Fall 2008. Instructor: Dr. Grasse.
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MPA Core Courses: Program Evaluation
Ethics in Public Administration
An Intensive Program of Study. The faculty recommends the following program of study for the fulltime graduate student taking the Non-profit Concentration. This program of study option provides for a rational sequence in course offerings but is quite intensive. It is designed for fulltime study and is not offered for in-service professionals. In-service students who work and attend graduate school part time will take the same courses but will spread them out over a longer time period. All students pursuing the Non-profit Concentration will want to meet with their adviser, Dr. Nathan Grasse
Fall 2008:
Foundations of Public Administration
Research Methods
Personnel Management
Spring 2009:
Budgeting in the Public Sector
Managing Non-profit Organizations
Community Organization and Development
Summer 2009: Selected Topic in
Non-profit Organization
Internship in Non-profit Organization
Non-profit Internship Paper
Fall 2009:
Governance of Non-profit Organizations
Program Evaluation
Ethics in Public Administration