The nonprofit leadership and management major provides students with both the theoretical and practical knowledge concerning the management of nonprofit organizations. The focus of the major is to build the capacity of students to lead and manage nonprofit organizations through practical application, experiential learning and exposure to nonprofit environments and professionals in the field. The major establishes the academic foundations for students pursuing careers in the nonprofit sector, human services and community development.
Why should I major in nonprofit leadership at HPU?
- It provides students with both the theoretical and practical knowledge concerning the management of nonprofit organizations.
- Practical application, experiential learning and exposure to nonprofit environments prepare students to lead and manage in the nonprofit world.
- The curriculum establishes an academic foundation for students who wish to pursue careers in the nonprofit sector, human services and community development.
- The demand for strong, capable leaders who want to make a difference in their communities is increasing.
What can I do with this major?
There are many exciting careers paths for graduates with a degree in nonprofit leadership and management. Graduates with a Bachelor of Arts in nonprofit leadership and management have obtained positions with local, national and international nonprofit organizations. Examples of these positions are:
- Consumer Relations Worker
- Executive Director of a nonprofit
- Marketing and Public Relations
- Fundraising and Resource Development
- Volunteer Recruitment and Management
- Community and Economic Development
- Program Development, Management and Evaluation
- Financial Administration and Management
Unique Courses
- Nonprofit Organizations and the Voluntary Sector
- Fundraising and Resource Development
- Nonprofit Leadership and Management Practicum
- Program Design, Management and Evaluation
- Counseling and the Helping Professions
- Governance and Leadership
Experiential Learning
The nonprofit leadership and management faculty embraces the application of theoretical concepts via engaging students in off-campus course-related experiences. The nonprofit leadership and management experiential learning opportunities consistently provide the foundation for the experience sought after by today’s employers.
- Students completing the nonprofit leadership and management major will earn a minimum of 300 contact hours working in a professional environment.
- Nonprofit leadership and management students have the opportunity to complete an off-campus academic internship. This experience introduces students to summer and part-time opportunities that often lead to full-time positions upon graduation.
- Previous students have developed strategic plans, designed community-based programs, developed and implemented volunteer recruitment strategies, coordinated special events, attended professional conferences, evaluate community based programs, developed budgets and a myriad of learning activities.
Graduates with a Bachelor of Arts in nonprofit leadership and management have obtained positions with local, national and international nonprofit organizations. Examples of these positions are:
- Executive Director of a Nonprofit
- Marketing and Public Relations
- Fundraising and Resource Development
- Volunteer Recruitment and Management
- Community and Economic Development
- Program Development, Management and Evaluation
- Financial Administration and Management
Featured Graduate Profiles:
Jenna Rosenbloom, ’16 – AmeriCorps VISTA at High Point University through the North Carolina Campus Compact
“My most impactful mentor at High Point University was and still is Dr. Pamela Palmer. As my advisor, she guided me in the right directions and helped me become comfortable in speaking my mind about what I am most passionate about. She opened my eyes to the fact that people are interested to hear what I have to say about issues I have researched and that I hope to make a difference in.”
Joseph Kilar, ’15 – food coordinator at Second Harvest Food Bank for Northwest North Carolina
“Dr. Pamela Palmer and Dr. David Bergen were my advisors throughout everything. They really represented the university well, and they represented their departments well, too. Both Dr. Palmer and Dr. Bergen were very friendly and truly cared about my success. All my professors wanted to ensure that we as students did well in our classes, and were especially supportive during my practicum and internships.“
Morgan Falls, ’14 – Pursuing a master’s in Public Policy at the Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy at the University of Virginia
“At HPU, I had the opportunity to explore my interests beyond the classroom. I went to Guatemala for an alternative fall break, and I returned for a Maymester. While studying for a semester abroad in Ecuador, I completed an internship with an NGO in Quito. With the support of my advisors, I was able to graduate with three majors. This allowed me to recognize my interest in exploring public policy at various levels, which is what I hope to do through the MPP program at UVA.”
Laura May, ’14 – Executive Director of Friends in Action, a nonprofit in Greensboro
“High Point University provided me with educators who were truly invested in my goals and did everything they could to prepare me to get there.”
The Department of Human Relations, Sociology, and Nonprofit Studies offers the B.A. degree in Nonprofit Leadership and Management. To graduate from High Point University with this degree, students must complete the following:
B.A. in Nonprofit Leadership and Management
| Major Requirements |
40 credits |
| University Core Requirements |
50 credits |
| Electives |
38 credits |
TOTAL
|
128 credits
|
Requirements for a B.A. in Nonprofit Leadership and Management (40 credits):
- NPL 1250. Nonprofit Organizations and the Voluntary Sector (4)
- NPL 2750. Fundraising and Resource Development (4)
- NPL 2811. Nonprofit Leadership and Management Practicum I (2)
- NPL 3250. Program Design, Management, and Evaluation (4)
- NPL 3300. Counseling and the Helping Professions (4)
- NPL 3811. Nonprofit Leadership and Management Practicum II (2)
- NPL 3850. Governance and Leadership (4)
- NPL 4811-4815. Internship (4)
- NPL 4880. Policy and Research Methodology (4)
- HRE 3220. Group Dynamics and Team Development (4)
One course selected from:
- COM 2235. Public Relations Techniques (4)
- HRE 3550. Project Development and Management (4)
- HRE 3600. Intercultural Competence in the Workplace (4)
- HRE 4220. Contemporary Perspectives on Leadership (4)
- HRE 4450. Seminar in Training and Organizational Development (4)
- NPL 4110. Undergraduate Research (4)
- NPL 4444. Independent Study (4)
