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Graduate and Higher Education Degrees It is always important to learn, and for some, graduate degrees or certification is the best way to do that. If you need to supplement the experience you already have or are trying to make a transition into another field, formal education may be most useful. However, don't just go back to school to get the degree because the nonprofit sector does place more value on hands-on experience. Some have suggested that if you are already in the nonprofit sector, getting an MBA or a higher degree in your field may be more beneficial than a higher degree or certification in nonprofit administration. If you do decide to return to higher education, there are many options. The programs range from certification courses and seminars done on-line to two to three year long full-time programs. Most certification courses are specific to sectors (e.g., arts) or functions (e.g., fundraising), while longer programs are more comprehensive. These typically involve a core curriculum covering administrative, legal, and resource development aspects with room for some elective courses. In the Bay Area, UC Berkeley and Stanford offer MBA programs that have a concentration in Nonprofit Management. Golden Gate University, San Francisco State University and the University of San Francisco offer degrees specific to nonprofit management including Master of Public Administration, Master of Arts Administration, and Master of Nonprofit Administration. One degree that is commonly pursued by public interest-minded individuals is the law degree. A law degree is valued both for traditional public interest legal or policy jobs, as well as in a broader range of positions because it is generally perceived as a strong generalist credential. However, before entering law school you should consider the costs of a legal education and the limitations those costs may place on your subsequent job options. Public interest legal jobs are not only lower paying than private sector jobs, they are also very hard to find. If you are interested in pursuing the public interest aspects of law school, some schools known for this specialization include New York University, City University of New York, Northeastern University in Boston, Boalt School of Law at UC Berkeley, and Hastings School of Law (part of the UC system). The following Internet sites have links to many higher education degree programs: www.nonprofit-info.org/misc/acad.html Happy studying! Graduate Degrees for Those Interested in
Nonprofit Work Master in Education. A Master in Education can mean many things and can be applicable to a wide range of careers in addition to teaching or school administration. Most universities have education programs, and many of them include in their departments teaching credentials as well as Master's degrees in the following areas: teaching, counseling, educational technology, education policy, organization and leadership, and special education. MA in clinical psychology or counseling leading to an MFT. MA in clinical psychology or counseling leading to an MFT: MA in clinical psychology or counseling leading to an MFT: MA in clinical psychology or counseling leading to an MFT: MA in clinical psychology or counseling leading to an MFT: This degree generally takes two to three years. When you have completed your Master's degree, you can register as a Marriage and Family, and Therapist Intern. Your internship consists of 3,000 hours of counseling under the supervision of a licensed mental health professional. After the 3,000 hours of service, you may take a written and oral test to become a licensed therapist. See the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists' web page for more information: www.calaamft.org. Master in Nonprofit Management. More and more universities are beginning to offer programs in nonprofit management, including University of San Francisco. These programs apply management tools to nonprofit organizations and provide students with an understanding of the specific issues faced by nonprofit organizations. MPH. Master of Public Health, a two to three year degree. This is usually for people who do not want to work directly with clients. It focuses on broader public health issues such as air, water, access to health care, etc. MPP/MPA. Master of Public Policy/Master of Public Administration; also a two to three year degree. As with an MPH, this is also not usually for people who want to work directly with clients. The degree focuses on government and broader policies which directly impact nonprofit organizations and individuals. MSW leading to LCSW. Master in Social Work leading to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. This degree generally takes two to three years to earn. Like the MFCC, upon completion of your degree, you will need to do 3,000 hours of counseling under the supervision of a licensed mental health professional. See the web page of the National Association of Social Workers - California for more information: www.naswca.org. Master in Urban Planning/Policy. These programs come in a variety of packages, some focusing more on policy and some more on planning. UC Berkeley's program is in City and Regional Planning, and there is a heavy design focus. This type of degree is attractive in that it provides you with concrete tools and skills as a planner, but you can focus on a range of issues and your career options can be fairly broad. RN: Registered Nurse. Nursing is becoming an even more critical field as managed care limits contact between clients and doctors. Nurses work in a variety of social service organizations and provide care beyond what might be expected. Some nurses counsel clients in addition to providing physical health care. Resources for Certification &
Continuing Education
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