NGO Education Survey

Department: Master of Nonprofit

Courses:

Electives (5)

MNA students may choose any five elective courses from among the courses offered through SBNM or approved courses from other graduate partner programs at North Park University.

SBNM 5010- Organizational Behavior and Ethics

This course develops an understanding of human behavior in changing organizations and the managerial awareness, tools, and methods that increase effectiveness. The course explores principles and theories about individuals and groups at work, motivation and interactive drives and processes for satisfying needs, organization strategies for effectively utilizing people, and creating the environment to achieve the goals of people and companies. The course also examines ethical issues and the rational integration of ethical thinking and decision-making in competitive organizations. New models of teams, organizational structure, and organizational development practices are studied as the product of today's transforming organizations.

SBNM 5011- Ethical Leadership and Decision-Making

This course examines the importance of ethical leadership and decision-making to the success of high-performance organizations. Ethical issues are examined from a variety of perspectives, analyzed utilizing multiple ethical issue typologies, and possible outcomes are determined through the application of a number of decision-making formats. Frameworks for ethics and leadership are assessed and interpreted in light of the leadership behaviors in a number of ethically challenging situations. Finally, students will assess their own ethical leadership views and generate leadership development plans. Prerequisite: SBNM 5010.

SBNM 5011- Ethical Leadership and Decision-Making

This course examines the importance of ethical leadership and decision-making to the success of high-performance organizations. Ethical issues are examined from a variety of perspectives, analyzed utilizing multiple ethical issue typologies, and possible outcomes are determined through the application of a number of decision-making formats. Frameworks for ethics and leadership are assessed and interpreted in light of the leadership behaviors in a number of ethically challenging situations. Finally, students will assess their own ethical leadership views and generate leadership development plans. Prerequisite: SBNM 5010.

SBNM 5040- Diversity and Conflict

The modern organization is diverse visibly with respect to diversity gender, race, age, and cultural background and invisibly with respect to multiple aspects of diversity including personality, values, communication styles and management styles. This course addresses the significance of both visible and invisible diversity and the need to understand and manage it. This course also provides a broad survey of approaches to analyzing and managing conflict. A variety of topics will be covered, including identifying the origins of organizational conflict, how to diagnose and positively utilize conflict, understanding the dynamics of conflict, and the appropriate role of effective leadership styles in resolving conflict.

SBNM 5041- Negotiation and Influence

This course provides a conceptual framework in which to explore competitive and cooperative aspects of business situations and emphasizes the crucial role played by negotiations in accomplishing organizational objectives while enhancing relationships with key stakeholders. The development and use of power to influence others is covered as well as specific negotiating tactics. Students are afforded opportunities for actual negotiating experiences that will help them become better negotiators, attain improved resolutions for disputes, and reach more mutually beneficial agreements.

SBNM 5060- Talent Development and Retention

This course presents valuable tools and methods that assist with recruitment and retention of the most qualified people that are also a good fit with the organization. Exercises provide experience in selecting the right employees and in coaching and counseling for current and future performance improvement that emphasizes the capacity to provide feedback in a way that it will actually be heard. Finally the ethics of termination will be discussed together with looking when and under what circumstances termination should occur. Additionally, this course will assist with the construction of individualized career plans for each student.

SBNM 5350- Nonprofit Financial Management

This course provides both basic and advanced financial planning and management skills necessary in today's nonprofit organization. Successful financial planning and business development strategies will be combined to create a financial plan which achieves the goals of the organization. Included are basic principles of managerial accounting. Fund accounting, budgeting, cash flow analysis, expenditure control, long-range financial planning, audits, and grants and contracts are studied, as applied to nonprofit organizations.

SBNM 5351- Nonprofit Financial Decision Making

Basic principles of managerial accounting, fund accounting, budgeting, cash flow analysis, expenditure control, long-range financial planning, audits, and grants and contracts are studied, as applied to nonprofit institutions. Prerequisite: SBNM 5350.

SBNM 5680- Nonprofit Marketing Analysis and Consumer Behavior

This course focuses on developing a working knowledge of marketing as it applies to nonprofit organizations. Emphasis will be placed on developing a customer orientation, marketing planning and organization, and developing and organizing resources.

SBNM 5705- Multi-Sector Convergence and Social Responsibility

Focusing on the interplay among the corporate, government, and nonprofit sectors, this course will address the issues and current trends in corporate social responsibility and sustainability. The triple bottom line of social, environmental, and economic results will be explored. Topics covered include: sustainability, public private partnerships, corporations' role in climate change, supply chain responsibility, stakeholder engagement, cause and social marketing, environmental responsibility, socially responsible investing, sustainability reporting, transparency, and human rights.

SBNM 5710- Nonprofit Management: Theory and Application

A foundation course examining the origins and societal role of private nonprofit organizations including their social, political, economic, cultural, and ideological importance in American society and compared against the global non-governmental sector and organizations. Major types of nonprofit organizations are studied, as well as distinguishing organizational characteristics of third-sector institutions as contrasted with business and government organizations. Current trends in the nonprofit sector and projections for the future are analyzed.

SBNM 5720- Nonprofit Board Governance and Volunteer Management

This course is designed to improve understanding of the elements, processes, and dynamics of board governance and volunteer management in nonprofit organizations. The course includes an analysis of the respective roles of the board, executive director, staff, and volunteers in nonprofit organizations. Focus on means and methods to enable boards and volunteers to maximize organizational effectiveness. Students will learn how to assess and improve the effectiveness of the board, the senior leadership, the volunteers, and the overall governance of the organization. Prerequisite: SBNM 5700 or SBNM 5710.

SBNM 5730- Nonprofit Law, Policy, and Government Relations

This course analyzes major aspects of federal, state, and local laws affecting nonprofit organizations and explores the dynamics of interdependence between nonprofit organizations, government, and the public policy process. Prerequisite: SBNM 5710.

SBNM 5770- Fundraising for Nonprofit Organizations

This course covers the fundamentals of effective resource development as they pertain to nonprofit organizations. Principles and best practices of fundraising are studied, including the fundraising process (i.e., organizational readiness, case development, donor pyramid, strategic planning, management and research). The principles that undergird effective fundraising practices will also be reviewed, including the historical, organizational, legal, ethical, and theoretical contexts of fundraising.

SBNM 5770- Fundraising for Nonprofit Organizations

This course covers the fundamentals of effective resource development as they pertain to nonprofit organizations. Principles and best practices of fundraising are studied, including the fundraising process (i.e., organizational readiness, case development, donor pyramid, strategic planning, management, and research). The principles that undergird effective fundraising practices will also be reviewed, including the historical, organizational, legal, ethical, and theoretical contexts of fundraising.

SBNM 5771- Annual Gift Fundraising for Nonprofit Organizations

This course takes an in-depth look at the annual giving techniques and processes by which financial resources are secured by nonprofit managers and fundraisers. Attention is given to direct mail, phonathon, email, event, and social media fundraising programs for individuals, along with advances in technology and research for fundraising. Prerequisite: SBNM 5770.

SBNM 5771- Annual Gift Fundraising for Nonprofit Organizations

This course takes an in-depth look at the annual giving techniques and processes by which financial resources are secured by nonprofit managers and fundraisers. Attention is given to direct mail, phonathon, email, event, and social media fundraising programs for individuals, along with advances in technology and research for fundraising. Prerequisite: SBNM 5770.

SBNM 5772- Capital Campaigns and Major Gift Fundraising

Capital campaign and major gift fundraising will be explored within the context of a broad fundraising program for nonprofit organizations. The course includes preparing, planning, managing, and implementing a capital campaign with major gift donors. Special topics will include financing the campaign, major gift solicitation, board involvement in fundraising, campaign structure, and volunteer networks. Prerequisite: SBNM 5770.

SBNM 5773- Grant Writing for Foundations and Corporations

Grant writing will be explored within the context of philanthropic and marketing programs at charitable foundations and corporations. The course will build skills in written communication with multiple opportunities to write case statements, grant proposals, cover letters, and stewardship pieces. Topics will include theory and practical application. Prerequisite: SBNM 5770.

SBNM 5774- Planned Giving for Nonprofit Organizations

Planned giving will be explored within the context of estate planning and philanthropic giving options for individuals. This course will include not only the more technical description of giving vehicles (e.g., charitable gift annuities, charitable remainder unitrusts, and charitable lead trusts) but will concentrate on the marketing and management aspects of a planned giving program. Prerequisite: SBNM 5770.

SBNM 5780- Measuring Outcomes and Assessment

This course examines the assessment of effectiveness against service delivery objectives. The course uses the logic model and other theoretical models to better understand the outcomes and assessment process. Case studies will highlight evaluation issues for improved organizational performance. Prerequisite: Any SBNM course. This may not be the first course in the SBNM academic program.

SBNM 5790- Nonprofit Strategic Planning and Management Capstone

This course is the capstone for the MNPA and MHEA degrees. The primary objective of the course is the development of a perspective of the executive leader's job and responsibilities from a conceptual as well as operating standpoint. Within this context, elements to be studied include: governance structure and issues, establishing and reinforcing the nonprofit organization's mission and values, delineating an effective strategy, developing and using information flows to provide management control and performance and effectiveness evaluation, structuring the organization, and allocating human and financial resources. Ethical issues will be discussed throughout the course as pertaining to the nonprofit environment. MNPA Prerequisite: SBNM 5010, 5011, 5350, 5351, 5680, 5705.

SBNM 5990- Change Leadership

This course addresses the application of leadership skills to transform organizations. The external and internal drivers of organizational change are explored and systems archetypes are utilized to analyze the root causes of organizational issues that must be dealt with in order for change initiatives to be successful.