Executive Program, Three-Year Plan
Course Offerings-Summer Residential Study
Directed Off-Site Study
Requirements for Admission
Transfer Study (two elective)
Computer and Internet Access
Expected Costs
Deadline for Application
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Linked Program Plan - Summer 2012
Linked Program Plan - Fall 2012
Many students interested in the M.A. program are unable to attend on a traditional residential basis because of their distance from Indianapolis and ongoing job responsibilities.
The Executive Master of Arts degree enables practitioners with three to five years of work experience in the nonprofit sector to complete the M.A. in Philanthropic Studies in three years. The GRE is waived in lieu of this working experience.
Executive Program, Three-Year Plan
A participant in the executive format master's program can earn the 36-credit-hour requirements for the degree in three years by completing:
- six intense one-week residential classes or regularly scheduled classes at IUPUI;
- distance education and directed off-site course work; and
- elective study at a qualified institution.
Executive program students may satisfy elective requirements with nonprofit management online courses.
Summer Residential Study: Six Courses
Each summer course requires one week of intense on-campus study and is preceded by a pre-residential period of approximately six weeks in length which includes preparatory reading and assignments. Each session is followed by a post-residential period which includes evaluative experiences to be completed at home. During both the pre-residential and post-residential periods, faculty work with students by using the web, e-mail, fax, and telephone.
Course Offerings-Summer Residential Study
Most students take two of the following courses each summer:
These core courses are alternated every summer, except for P521, which is offered every summer to new students. Most sudents take two courses each summer.
- The Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector
PHST P521
- Civil Society in Comparative Perspective
PHST P530
- Ethics and Values of Philanthropy
PHIL P542
- Nonprofit Economy and Public Policy
ECON E514
- Law of Nonprofit Organizations
PHST P535
- History of Philanthropy
HIST H511
Directed Off-Site Study
Directed off-site study requires completing several non-residential learning experiences which total 9 credit hours and include the following:
- PHST P590 Internship in Philanthropic Studies
- PHST P600 Thesis or two higher level courses in lieu of thesis
- And one of the following courses:
Human & Financial Resources Courses for Philanthropy – (3 Credits)
- Fund Development for Nonprofit Org
PHST P555/SPEA V558, 3 credits
- Human Resource Mgmt in Nonprofit Org
SPEA V522, 3 credits
- Financial Mgmt for Nonprofit Organizations
SPEA V526, 3 credits
- Social Entrepreneurship
SPEA V559, 3 credits
Fall and Spring terms are generally used to complete the directed off-site study courses and electives.
Transfer Study (two electives)
With prior approval, two elective courses at the graduate level (for a maximum of 8 credit hours) may be transferred from an accredited institution to Indiana University. While certain requirements do apply to transfer credits, this option allows a student the flexibility to study in his or her community and be exposed to related course work at other institutions.
Computer & Internet Access
Because linking by computer networks will be an integral part of ongoing communication for executive master's program students and faculty, all students are required to have access to a computer and the Internet. A personal computer account is provided to Indiana University students, but many students use their own provider.
Requirements for Admission
The Philanthropic Studies Program is part of the School of Liberal Arts at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis; 21 of the 36 credit hours required for the MA degree must be Liberal Arts courses. If you do not meet all of the requirements listed below, you may be admitted to the program on a conditional basis and will be reviewed after a fixed period of time to determine whether you may continue in the program.
- Prior Academic Work
A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university is required with a minimum of a 3.0 overall grade point average (on a scale of 4.0), and a minimum of a 3.0 average in your major field. Applicants with a grade point average below 3.0 may be considered for conditional admission.
- The Graduate Record Examination General Test
The Executive Master of Arts degree enables practitioners with three to five years of professional work experience in the nonprofit sector to complete the M.A. in Philanthropic Studies in three years. The GRE is waived in lieu of this working experience.
- Recommendations
Three letters of recommendation to the Admissions Committee are required. Preference will be given to those candidates who can demonstrate ability to successfully perform academic work. In selecting your recommenders, try to select those people who can best speak to indications of your ability to successfully do academic work. If a recommender is not in an academic environment, encourage him/her to assess your knowledge, skills, and abilities as they relate to your ability to do academic work.
- Statement of Purpose
Preference will be given to those candidates whose goals and interests, broadly speaking, match those of the Master of Arts in Philanthropic Studies and its curriculum.
- Resume
Please send updated resume to Peggy Smith, Student Services Coordinator.
Expected Costs
Fees for the 2011-2012 academic year are $912.10 per credit hour for out-of-state students and $303.00 per credit hour for Indiana residents. Rates are subject to change by the Indiana University Board of Trustees.
Financial Aid
Students in the Executive Master of Arts program are not eligible for assistantships or fellowships.
Application Deadlines
Those students who are not U.S. citizens must submit their application materials no later than January 1. The priority deadline for all others is April 15.
The deadline for Spring admission is November 15. International applicants must apply by October 15.
Please note: Spring admission is only recommended for applicants who have completed SPEA V521/PHST P521, "The Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector" course OR any equivalent graduate level introductory course in Nonprofit Management or Philanthropic studies from another university. If you have any questions about this policy, please contact Student Services, pessmith@iupui.edu
Application Information
See our Glossary of U.S. Higher Education Terms
For more information, please visit http://international.iupui.edu
Questions about the Center on Philanthropy and its other academic programs can be directed to:
The Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University
550 West North Street, Suite 301
Indianapolis, IN 46202-3162
317-274-4200
317-684-8900 fax
Email: maphil@iupui.edu
Apply online now!
Apply online at the Indiana University Graduate School.
Philanthropic Studies Program
There has never been a more dynamic time in the history of philanthropy, and the "third sector" is playing a greater role in society than ever before. Indiana University's philanthropic studies program will develop a new generation of informed and committed leaders who will truly impact social action in the 21st century.
Established in 1987, the Indiana University Center on Philanthropy is the nation's most comprehensive academic resource dedicated to education, research and public service in philanthropy. We promote the study of philanthropy and the philanthropic tradition across academic discipline lines in both liberal arts and professional education. Our priority is to understand the role of philanthropy in society and to contribute to the knowledge base of the field.
