OCU University | Master of Arts: Nonprofit Leadership

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Master of Arts: Nonprofit Leadership

Nonprofit organizations are a powerful third sector, standing alongside for-profit businesses and governmental entities, that drive our economy and contribute to the quality of life we all enjoy. In today’s complex world, nonprofit organizations play an integral role in almost every facet of our society and those working and volunteering in this sector demonstrate servant leadership in its purest form.

ÐßÐßÊÓƵ's Master of Arts in Nonprofit Leadership degree is designed for those interested in working in — and, ultimately, leading — nonprofit organizations working on causes related to animals, education, the environment, health, human services, international affairs and religion. 

OCU University offers a 36-credit-hour Master of Arts degree that can be completed in either one or two years, depending on each student’s specific needs. All classes are held in the evenings and are offered both in-person and via live-streaming to allow students to participate from any location in the U.S.

Courses are led by seasoned faculty who bring their real-world experience to the classroom. Students can expect to study topics like leadership, strategic planning, law, marketing, grant writing and more.

Classes are offered in 8-week blocks, allowing students to complete as many as four per semester but never juggling more than two classes at any given time. This makes it possible to complete all 12 courses (36 credit hours) in as little as one academic year (fall, spring and summer).

One-year plan of study

Nonprofit Leadership: 1 YearMonday EveningsWednesday Evenings
Fall 1Sociology of Leadership IStrategic Planning & Program Development for Nonprofits
Fall 2Sociology of Leadership IIResource Mobilization & Development
Spring 1Research Data in NonprofitsLaw & Nonprofit Organizations
Spring 2Nonprofit Program EvaluationAdvocacy for Social Change
Summer 1Grant WritingNonprofit Financial Oversight
Summer 2Professional Project (capstone)Marketing for Nonprofits

Two-year plan of study

Nonprofit Leadership: 2 YearsYear 1Year 2
Meeting Day & TimeMonday EveningsWednesday Evenings
Fall 1Sociology of Leadership IStrategic Planning & Program Development for Nonprofits
Fall 2Sociology of Leadership IIResource Mobilization & Development
Spring 1Research Data in NonprofitsLaw & Nonprofit Organizations
Spring 2Nonprofit Program EvaluationAdvocacy for Social Change
Summer 1Grant WritingNonprofit Financial Oversight
Summer 2Professional Project (capstone)Marketing for Nonprofits

Two-year (no summer) plan of study

Nonprofit Leadership: 2 YearsYear 1Year 1Year 2Year 2
Meeting Day & TimeMonday EveningsWednesday EveningsMonday EveningsWednesday Evenings
Fall 1Sociology of Leadership IStrategic Planning & Program Development for NonprofitsN/AAdvocacy for Social Change
Fall 2Sociology of Leadership IIN/AMarketing for NonprofitsResource Mobilization & Development
Spring 1Research Data in NonprofitsLaw & Nonprofit OrganizationsN/ANonprofit Financial Oversight
Spring 2Nonprofit Program EvaluationN/AGrant WritingProfessional Project

If you would like to review a description for any course in the program, please review the current (PDF)

  • Transcripts from all previous institutions
  • Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above (If you have a GPA that is lower than a 3.0, please still inquire about admission possibilities.)
  • One letter of recommendation
  • A brief essay, one page in length, on rationale for pursuing this degree
  • No entrance exam required!

OCU University's Master of Arts in Nonprofit Leadership program features a per-credit-hour tuition price of $520. Once fees are factored in for the 36-credit-hour program, the total cost is $24,660 -- a competitive price when compared to similar degrees at other institutions.

Tuition Per Credit Hour$520
Total Program Tuition and Fees$24,660
  
Billable Costs (per academic year) 
Tuition$9,360
General Fees$2,970
Total Billable Costs$12,330
  
Discretionary Costs (per academic year) 
Housing and Food*$15,300
Books**$1,530
Health Insurance***$2,650
Transportation$1,700
Miscellaneous Personal Expenses$2,700
Loan Fees$210
Total Discretionary Costs$24,090
  
Total Billable and Discretionary Costs (per academic year)$36,420

Note that costs are for the 2024-25 academic year and are subject to change. Billable costs will be billed to each student by the university. Discretionary costs are illustrative estimates and will vary based on each student.

*Housing and food figures for represent an estimate of annual costs. Housing rates and meal plan costs vary by residence hall, room style and meal plan choice. More information can be found here. Figures for students living off-campus are an illustrative estimate and will vary based on students' living arrangements.

**The annual estimated cost of books ($2,040) is not applied toward billable costs for students who opt out of the university's Slingshot (bookstore) automatic textbook service. Students may opt out by logging into their and updating their preferences.

***Students are not required to purchase university-provided health-insurance coverage, but must opt out of coverage in order to avoid the billable cost of $2,650 each academic year.

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