Academic Programs Catalog

College of Arts and Letters

Graduate Study

The Department of Religious Studies offers a Master of Arts degree in Nonprofit Leadership, Global Cultures, and Social Enterprise. This program is innovative and combines nonprofit leadership and social enterprise with knowledge of global cultures and religions in a humanities context. The program is available only online. A Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Leadership, Global Cultures, and Social Enterprise is also available and only online.


Nonprofit Leadership, Global Cultures, and Social Enterprise - Master of Arts

The Master of Arts degree in Nonprofit Leadership, Global Cultures, and Social Enterprise is a transdisciplinary degree administered by the Department of Religious Studies in the College of Arts and Letters. Students will develop expertise in the national and international nonprofit, non-governmental organization, or philanthropic sectors in the context of global cultural knowledge. Emphasis will be placed on leadership, ethics, values, and human and ecological flourishing in civil society, particularly in a religious context. The areas of primary focus are: 1) nonprofit organizations and leadership; 2) global cultural and religious knowledge, ethics and values; 3) individual and cultural renewal and flourishing; and 4) social entrepreneurship.  Practical application and social engagement is emphasized.

In addition to meeting the requirements of the university and the College of Arts and Letters, students must meet the requirements specified below.

Admission

To be considered for admission to the Master of Arts degree in Nonprofit Leadership, Global Cultures, and Social Enterprise students must:

  1. have a four-year bachelor's degree from a regionally or nationally accredited institution.
  2. have a cumulative undergraduate grade-point average of at least 3.0 in the last two years of undergraduate study.
  3. have a high degree of potential for advancement to an organizational leadership role.
  4. submit an admissions portfolio consisting of a statement of purpose/letter of intent, a resume or curriculum vitae, three letters of recommendation, copies of official university or college transcripts, and one writing sample in standard American English (SAE).
  5. have an ACM minimum TOEFL score of 90 on the non-native language proficiency test if the student is an international applicant.
  6. submit a portfolio demonstrating professional experience or interest in nonprofit or philanthropic world.
Students who have deficiencies for regular admission to the program may be admitted provisionally. These deficiencies may require additional course work to make up the deficiencies. This course work will not count towards the requirements for the degree.

Requirements for the Master of Arts Degree in Nonprofit Leadership, Global Cultures, and Social Enterprise

At least 30 credits are required for the degree under Plan A (with thesis) or Plan B (without thesis). At least 15 credits must be at the 800-level. The students program of study is planned and approved in consultation with their advisor. The program is available only online.
Requirements for Both Plan A and Plan B
Complete a minimum of 26 credits from the following:
Cultural Knowledge
REL 817 Religion, Cultural Knowledge, and Nonprofits 2
REL 818 Global Religions, NGOs, and Social Change 2
REL 819 Religious Organizations and Civil Society in Asia 2
REL 820 Secularism, Publics, and Religions in Asia 2
Skills and Competencies Group
GNL 821 Values and Ethics in Applied Leadership 2
GNL 822 Cross Cultural Dialogue and Collaboration 2
GNL 823 Social Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and Religion 2
GNL 824 Social Entrepreneurship and Religion: Case Studies 2
GNL 825 Creativity in Organizations 2
GNL 826 Flourishing Under Stress 2
Structural Knowledge
GNL 827 Nonprofit Institutions and Civil Society in a Global Context 2
GNL 828 Nonprofit Governance 2
GNL 829 Nonprofits and the Legal Environment 2
GNL 830 Nonprofit and NGO Marketing and Fundraising 2
GNL 831 Grant-writing for Nonprofits 2
Other Relevant Courses
GNL 890 Independent Study 1 to 4
MGT 810 Human Resource Management for General Managers 2
MGT 840 Leadership and Team Management 2
MGT 842 Leading a Strategy Change 2
Students may enroll in a maximum of two of the MGT courses with approval of the MGT academic advisor.
Additional Requirements for Plan A
1. The following course:
GNL 899 Master’s Thesis Research 4
2. Completion of a master’s thesis.
Additional Requirements for Plan B
1. Completion of 4 credits of additional course work to meet the requirement of 30 credits for the degree.
2. Completion of a final oral examination or evaluation.


 

Nonprofit Leadership, Global Cultures, and Social Enterprise - Graduate Certificate

The Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Leadership, Global Cultures, and Social Enterprise is a transdisciplinary graduate certificate administered by the Department of Religious Studies in the College of Arts and Letters. Students will develop expertise in the national and international nonprofit, NGO, or philanthropic sectors in the context of global cultural knowledge, with an emphasis on leadership, ethics, values, and human and ecological flourishing in civil society, particularly in a religious context. There are four areas of primary focus: (1) nonprofit organizations and leadership; (2) global cultural and religious knowledge, ethics and values; (3) individual and cultural renewal and flourishing; and (4) social entrepreneurship. Practical application and social engagement is emphasized.
 
Admission
 
Students will be admitted for fall semester and on an ongoing basis. A student will be able to complete the program in four to five semesters. Students must:

  1. have an undergraduate degree from or be a current advanced undergraduate student at a recognized institution; and
  2. have demonstrated familiarity with and work experience in the non-profit sector.
In addition to meeting the requirements of the university and the College of Arts and Letters, students must meet the requirements specified below. The graduate certificate is available only online.
 
Requirements for the Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Leadership, Global Cultures, and Social Enterprise

Students must complete 10 credits from the following:
1. The following course (2 credits):
REL 817 Religion, Cultural Knowledge, and Nonprofits 2
2. Complete four courses from the following (8 credits):
GNL  821 Values and Ethics in Applied Leadership  2
GNL  822 Cross Cultural Dialogue and Collaboration 2
GNL  823 Social Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and Religion  2
GNL  824 Social Entrepreneurship and Religion: Case Studies  2
GNL  825 Creativity in Organizations  2
GNL  826 Flourishing Under Stress  2
GNL  827 Nonprofit Institutions and Civil Society in a Global Context  2
GNL  828 Nonprofit Governance  2
GNL  829 Nonprofits and the Legal Environment  2
GNL  830 Nonprofit and NGO Marketing and Fundraising  2
GNL  831 Grant-writing for Nonprofits 2
REL  818 Global Religions, NGOs, and Social Change  2
REL  819 Religious Organizations and Civil Society in Asia  2
REL  820 Secularisms, Publics, and Religions in Asia  2