Online Master of Science in Nonprofit Administration

Total credit hours per program: 33 credit hours

Cost per credit hour: $378

Total cost with fees: $12,489

Students in the M.S. in Nonprofit Administration online program must complete 33 total credit hours of course work. This includes 27 credit hours of core courses and 6 credit hours of a specialty track.

Core Courses

Students must complete the following courses.

Core: 9 courses	Credit Hours
NPA 702: Development and Theories of Philanthropy and Nonprofit Organizations	3
NPA 703: Administrative Law and Nonprofit Organizations	3
NPA 706: Principles of Grant Writing
NPA 708: Nonprofit Research and Program Evaluation	3
NPA 710: Nonprofit Human Resource and Administration	3
NPA 734: Nonprofit Governance and Decision Making	3
NPA 761: Nonprofit Financial Management	3
NPA 762: Nonprofit Resource Development	3
NPA 735: Nonprofit Marketing & Strategic Communications	3
Total Required Credit Hours	27

 

Nonprofit Administration Track

Students selecting the Nonprofit Administration Track must take the following courses.

Nonprofit Administration: 2 courses	Credit Hours
NPA 780: Structure and Process in Nonprofit Administration	3
NPA 798: Directed Project	3
Total Required Credit Hours	6

Nonprofit Development Track

Students selecting the Nonprofit Development Track must take the following courses.

Nonprofit Development: 2 courses	Credit Hours
NPA 763: Seminar in Planned Giving	3
NPA 764: Seminar in Development	3
Total Required Credit Hours	6

Disaster Preparedness Track

Students selecting the Disaster Preparedness Track must take the following courses.

Disaster Preparedness: 2 courses	Credit Hours
DPPA 601: Disaster Preparedness Administration	3
DPPA 620: Local, State, and National Disaster Response	3
Total Required Credit Hours	6

Faith-Based Organizations Administration Track

Students selecting the Faith-Based Organizations Administration Track must take the following courses.

Faith-Based Organizations Administration: 2 courses	Credit Hours
NPA 630: Understanding and Managing Faith-Based Organizations	3
NPA 640: Directed Project in Faith-Based Organizations	3
Total Required Credit Hours	6

The admission process is the first step toward earning your degree and preparing for more rewarding opportunities. We’ve streamlined the process so you can get started quickly and easily. Students interested in the Nonprofit Administration online degree program must meet the following requirements for admission.

Program Requirements:

• Submit graduate application and $20 application fee
• GPA: A minimum 2.5 grade point average on the undergraduate degree (on a 4.0 scale) or a 2.75 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) in the last 60 hours attempted in the degree program. Additionally, a 3.0 GPA is required on any graduate work previously attempted with no more than 6 credit hours with a grade of "C" and no grades of "F".
• Academic Standing: Graduate students must be in satisfactory standing at the last institution that they attended.
• Entrance Exam: No GRE is required.
• Official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended and any other required official documents

Once your materials have been received, you will receive notification from Graduate Studies and your materials will be forwarded to the graduate director of the MSNPA program.

Official transcripts, official test scores, and other materials that come from third-party sources should be mailed to:

LSUS
Admissions and Records Office
One University Place
Shreveport, LA 71115

Transcripts may also be submitted via secure means—e.g., eSCRIP-SAFE—to admissions@lsus.edu.

*This degree does not lead to any additional certification if the graduate does not already possess a teaching certificate.

To be considered for admission to any of our graduate programs, students must first meet the LSUS Graduate School admission requirements.

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Graduate School Admission:

Unconditional Admission: For unconditional admission to graduate study, students must be in satisfactory standing at the last institution attended and meet all admission requirements of a degree program and one of the following:

Earned a graduate degree from a regionally accredited university, OR

Earned a bachelor's degree from an accredited university, with a minimum 2.5 overall GPA or minimum 2.75 GPA in the last 60 semester hours of courses.

A minimum 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) is required on any graduate work attempted with no grades of D or F.

International Admission:

International applicants must meet regular admission requirements for their selected program. In addition, you may be required to submit additional information. Learn more about international admission requirements.

 

*Professional experience is determined on a case-by-case basis using a resume and any requested supporting documents. The LSUS Admissions Committee evaluates an individual's accomplishments, roles, and responsibilities to determine the total number of years of professional experience.

• Assistant Director of Fundraising
• Program Director
• Executive Director
• Marketing/Research Associate
• Director of Public Relations
• Operations Manager
• Board Member or Chair
• Program Manager
• Social Services
• Community Engagement Liaison
• Director of Development and Communications
• Manager of Community Development
• Volunteer Coordinator
• Planned Giving Officer
• Database Manager
• Disaster Response Project Manager
• Emergency Response Specialist
• Director of Corporate Giving
• Corporate Relations Manager
• Finance Officer
• Human Resources
• Legal Counsel
• Executive Director of a faith-based nonprofit
• Program Director or Manager in religious or interfaith organizations
• Director of Development/Fundraising for a faith-based charity
• Community Outreach or Engagement Manager
• Faith-Based Services Coordinator
• Church Administrator or Business Manager
• Policy or Advocacy Specialist for faith-based initiatives
• Consultant for faith-based nonprofit effectiveness 

Four Tracks Available:

Nonprofit Administration Track delves into the core management of nonprofit organizations, covering organizational design, behavior, structure, and processes. Students will explore collaborative partnerships between nonprofits and boards of directors, volunteer leadership, and staff dynamics. Graduates are equipped to lead mission-driven organizations effectively, strengthening operational efficiency and creating lasting community impact. This track prepares professionals for leadership roles that drive growth and innovation in the nonprofit sector.

Nonprofit Development Track focuses on marketing, promoting donations, volunteer development, and donor stewardship, this track provides in-depth knowledge of organizational behavior and management. Students will study strategies of donor giving, trends in fundraising methods, and best practices in leadership and stewardship. Graduates are empowered to grow resources, build lasting donor relationships, and advance their nonprofit’s mission, enhancing career opportunities in fundraising, development, and volunteer engagement.

Disaster Preparedness Track emphasizes the management of critical and crisis situations, primarily within emergency relief organizations. Graduates have the opportunity to independently seek their Certified Nonprofit Professional (CNP) credentials through the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance. Equipped with skills to lead during emergencies, coordinate relief efforts, and make a tangible difference in communities, graduates are prepared for high-demand roles in disaster response, crisis management, and emergency planning.

Faith-Based Organizations Administration Track prepares students to lead one of the largest and most impactful sectors in U.S. charitable giving. Faith-based nonprofits play a vital role in delivering critical services to underserved communities, yet their unique governance structures, funding models, and interfaith collaborations require specialized expertise. This track equips students with the practical skills and knowledge needed to address these challenges while promoting inclusive, mission-driven leadership. By focusing on the missions, governance, and impact of faith-based organizations, the program not only strengthens students’ ability to create meaningful community impact but also enhances their competitiveness for leadership roles in this major sector of social services.

The Master of Science in Nonprofit Administration program at Louisiana State University Shreveport is accredited by the Nonprofit Academic Centers Council (NACC) and is only ONE of 12 programs in the world accredited by this prestigious governing body.

Students who graduate with a master’s degree in nonprofit administration will have the skills to manage the formation, behavior, and operations of nonprofit organizations. You also have the opportunity to align your degree with your career aspirations with four specialized tracks.

• The Nonprofit Administration Track focuses on managing nonprofit organizations, covering organizational design, structure, behavior, and collaborative partnerships with boards, volunteers, and staff. Graduates are prepared to lead mission-driven organizations, strengthen operational efficiency, and drive growth and innovation in the nonprofit sector. Learning outcomes below:
  • Evaluate organizational structures and daily workflows and recommend changes that better serve the mission.
  • Analyze board–staff roles and produce a clear governance plan that improves accountability and support.
  • Design and implement an operations plan that covers policies, risk, budgeting, and basic data practices.
• The Nonprofit Development Track emphasizes fundraising, donor stewardship, volunteer development, and organizational marketing strategies. Graduates gain the skills to grow resources, build lasting donor relationships, and advance their nonprofit’s mission while enhancing career opportunities in development and leadership. Learning outcomes below: 
  • Analyze giving and audience data to set realistic goals and segment donors for outreach.
  • Design an integrated fundraising plan with trackable steps across campaigns, grants, and major gifts.
  • Produce a complete grant package, case for support, work plan, budget, and outcomes, aligned to funder criteria.
• The Disaster Preparedness Track prepares students to manage crises and emergency situations within nonprofit and relief organizations. Graduates develop the expertise to lead relief efforts, coordinate disaster response, and pursue Certified Nonprofit Professional (CNP) credentials for high-demand roles in crisis management. Learning outcomes below:
  • Develop an all-hazards plan that coordinates the nonprofit’s role across agencies and sectors.
  • Map and coordinate essential resources, volunteers, and donations before, during, and after an event.
  • Evaluate threats to staying open and put in place practical safeguards for people, money, and data

• The Faith-Based Organizations Administration Track equips students with the skills to lead and manage nonprofits that play a vital role in serving underserved communities. By focusing on governance, funding, and mission-driven leadership, the program prepares graduates for impactful careers in one of the largest sectors of U.S. charitable giving. Learning outcomes below:

  • Evaluate how religious values and traditions influence organizational behavior, governance, service delivery and ethical decision-making in faith-based organizations.

  • Analyze the governance structures and societal impact of faith-based organizations across diverse theological and cultural contexts.

  • Design and implement inclusive, interfaith leadership strategies and strategic mission-driven initiatives for faith-based organizations.

• Taught by faculty active in the nonprofit sector
• No foundation courses required
• A personal advisor to work with you from enrollment to graduation
• Affordable tuition with payment options and financial aid available
• Graduate Assistantship Information: Students are able to apply for local and virtual graduate assistant positions for 10-20 hours a week as they become available. Position openings are announced through the MSNPA email listserv. These positions involve conducting research for the Institute for Nonprofit Administration and Research and assisting with outreach activities. Graduate Assistant positions also cover tuition. 
• MSNPA works with students to submit proposals and present at regional and national conferences in nonprofit and philanthropic studies. 
• The MSNPA program hosts quarterly zoom meetings and gives students an opportunity to network with one another, learn about academic and career advising and other university resources, and hear from program alumni.  
• Students in the MSNPA program get hands-on experience through graduate research assistantship positions through the LSUS Institute for Nonprofit Administration and Research.