Major Courses and Plans of Study
With the public and nonprofit management concentration, you will choose from a range of core courses tailored to you interests as well as taking a set of required degree courses. Explore a few of the concentration courses below, or download a full plan of study as part of the MPA program.
- PIA 2108 - Matching Money with Mission
This course traces the historic origins and contemporary expressions of philanthropy to offer an overview of the multiple dimensions of this growing and increasingly global source of capital and innovation in the nonprofit sector. Students become familiar with who gives, why, and how they structure their philanthropy. The course assesses different strategies and how new approaches like ephilanthropy and giving circles open and diversify the field. Global, faith-based, and venture philanthropy are among the topics covered. Market-based approaches like social enterprise and corporate social responsibility, along with accountability, impact measures, transparency, and their public policy implications are explored. The course draws on case studies and guest speakers. Students participate in SPIA's student philanthropy project, gaining hands-on grant-making experience throughout the semester by awarding funds to area nonprofits. This exercise links philanthropic theory to practice. At the end of this course students are able to articulate a robust definition of philanthropy's goals and the structures that advance them; demonstrate a range of hands-on grant-making skills; connect applied learning in grant-making to policy and practice issues examined in the course; model effective team work and decision-making practices that enhance grant-making; incorporate knowledge gained from practitioners and course work into personal philanthropic practices; recognize how contemporary issues in philanthropy intersect with the nonprofit, public and civic sectors; develop a research topic that contributes to peer learning; better assess community needs though an enhanced understanding of the Pittsburgh nonprofit sector.
- PIA 2204 - Grant Writing & Fundraising
Grant writing and fundraising are critical skills for people working in the nonprofit sector. "Grants" are funds donated by an organization such as a foundation; donations from individuals are obtained through a variety of other fundraising strategies. This course aims to provide an introduction to grant writing and fundraising for nonprofit organizations (NPOs/NGOs). No matter what type of position you have, as a program coordinator, executive director, corporate/community liaison, or a development officer, all nonprofit and public sector professionals need to be familiar with how nonprofit organizations obtain funding. Moreover, the writing, planning, analysis, and collaboration skills required for grants and fundraising are applicable and useful in every profession. You will learn how to research a variety of funding sources, write a grant proposal, and develop fundraising materials based on the needs, services, and constituents of a nonprofit organization. You will select one NPO/NGO to serve as the basis of a grant proposal and then work with a group to develop a fundraising plan for another "client" organization. More details and instructions about selecting a nonprofit organization to work with will be given in class. The course first focuses on grants, mainly from private (foundation and corporate) sources, and how to write a standard grant proposal that could be submitted or adapted to a variety of prospective funders including public/government funding programs. The course will then explore fundraising strategies for individual donors, including appeal letters, planned giving, event planning, the use of social media, and other tools.
- PIA 2211 - Nonprofit Board Governance & Leadership
Sound board governance is essential for effective management of nonprofit organizations. This course provides students with real world experience in nonprofit governance by placing them on the governing board of a local nonprofit organization. Classroom instruction will introduce students to theories and practices related to effective board engagement and leadership in the nonprofit sector. Students will learn about the role of the board in providing strategic direction for the organization as well as its fiduciary responsibilities. They will also discuss best practices for boards, including those related to the recruitment and retention of diverse members and leveraging the board for organizational success. Students will be expected to attend all board meetings with their assigned nonprofit organization and classroom instructional sessions. Given the nature of the community partnership work in this course, students are asked to commit to taking the course over two semesters, for a total of 3 credit hours.
