Academic Programs Catalog

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. submit an admissions portfolio consisting of a personal statement, an academic statement, a resume or curriculum vitae, three letters of recommendation, and copies of official university or college transcripts.
4. have an ACM minimum TOEFL score of 90 on the non-native language proficiency test if the student is an international applicant.

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.

 

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

To be considered for admission to the Graduate Certificate 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, or be a current advanced undergraduate student at a recognized institution.
2. have a cumulative undergraduate grade-point average of at least 3.0 in the last two years of undergraduate study. This requirement is waived for students currently pursuing a master's or doctoral degree program at MSU.
3. 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.
4. have an ACM minimum TOEFL score of 90 on the non-native language proficiency test if the student is an international applicant.

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