The University of Central Florida’s Master of Nonprofit Management program is an international leader in graduate nonprofit management education and research, providing the highest quality graduate public service education for careers in the nonprofit sector. In partnership with the community, the program positively impacts the nonprofit sector through a contemporary curriculum, innovative instruction, and scholarly and applied research.
Mission
The Master of Nonprofit Management program prepares students for professional public service leadership in the nonprofit sector through a competency-based curriculum set on a foundation of ethical principles, community engagement, and scholarship that creates usable, relevant knowledge to address complex societal issues in Central Florida and beyond.
Public Service Values
The Master of Nonprofit Management program is dedicated to advancing public service values and civic leadership in the nonprofit sector. For our faculty and students, public service values are demonstrated by adhering to ethical principles of behavior and by acting in a professional manner.
Ethical Principles – We adhere to the following ethical principles of conduct as the foundation of public service:
- Integrity – acting in a truthful, transparent manner and honoring promises;
- Fairness – acting in way that is just and equitable to all while avoiding undue burden on the most vulnerable in our society;
- Social Justice – identifying and addressing the unfair burdens experienced by groups of individuals through intentional and unintentional policies, laws, and societal projects and practices;
- Benevolence – acting in a way that promotes the public good, avoids harm, and respects the worth of each individual.
Professional Principles – We adhere to the following professional principles to advance public service as a profession:
- Commitment – passion to pursue the public interest with accountability and transparency;
- Competence – having the most current knowledge and skills to serve the public interest with efficiency and objectivity;
- Scholarship – to cherish and honor learning that enriches the human experience;
- Stewardship – to accept responsibility for decisions and actions regarding the protection of organizational and public resources;
- Diversity and Inclusiveness – to respect and value all perspectives and experiences, creating an environment that is open to all;
- Leadership – to inspire others to advance the public interest while actively promoting democratic participation and collaboration.
Curriculum Competencies
The Master of Nonprofit Management program competencies are based on the NASPAA Universal Competencies adapted to the nonprofit sector. The MNM curriculum is based on the following competencies:
- The ability to lead and manage in a dynamic, mission-driven nonprofit sector.
- The ability to analyze, synthesize, think critically, solve problems and make decisions for strengthening nonprofit organizations, the nonprofit sector and society at large.
- The ability to communicate and interact productively with a diverse and changing workforce and citizenry.
- The ability to articulate and apply a public service perspective emphasizing the role of civil society and democratic governance.
- The ability to participate in and contribute to the policy process while functioning in the nonprofit sector.
The Strategic Plan Process
We began the strategic planning process during the summer of 2016 involving the MNM curriculum committee, including faculty, staff, librarians, members of the nonprofit advisory board, alumni, and students. The process was facilitated during spring 2017 by students in the strategic planning course. The final draft of the strategic plan was approved by faculty and the advisory board in fall 2017.
Strategic Plan Goals 2018-21
The goals of the strategic plan are aligned with the MNM logic model. Within the plan, objectives, strategies and indicators are developed to achieve each of the logic model and strategic plan meta-goals.
- Goal 1: Prepare public service professionals for the nonprofit sector.
- Goal 2: Create usable, relevant knowledge to address societal issues.
- Goal 3: Positively impact the nonprofit sector in Central Florida and beyond.
