Executive Program, Three-Year Plan
Summer Residential Study: Six Courses
Course Offerings-Summer Residential Study
Directed Off-Site Study
Transfer Study (two elective)
Computer and Internet Access
Faculty
Expected Costs
Deadline for Application
Student Reflections
Apply Online
Philanthropic Studies Program

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. The GRE is waived in lieu of this working experience. Students can finish the requirements for the degree in three years of residential and directed off-site study.

The Executive M.A. in Philanthropic Studies is a 36-credit-hour graduate program that includes 6 core courses central to the study of philanthropy (summer residential study), one video history course, one internship, two electives, and a thesis or courses in lieu of thesis.

The Master of Arts in Philanthropic Studies at Indiana University is one of the first master's degree programs in the United States to focus on the history, culture and values of philanthropy. Other programs focus on the "how" of nonprofit management. In contrast, this program explores the "why" - the social, cultural, political, and economic roles played by philanthropy and nonprofit organizations in contemporary and historical settings. Although management practice is not neglected, the program focuses the discussion on the distinctive values underlying the varieties of philanthropic experience.

Executive Program, Three-Year Plan

Executive program students can finish the requirements for the degree in three years by completing:

• Six intense one-week sessions of residential study at IUPUI
• Directed off-site course work
• Elective study at a qualified institution near the student's home
• Fulfillment of internship/experience requirement

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 in July and is preceded by a pre-residential period of approximately eight weeks that includes preparatory reading and assignments. Each session is followed by a post-residential period that includes evaluative experiences to be completed at home [see schedule]. Summer courses end in early to mid-Fall. During both the pre-residential and post-residential periods, faculty and students communicate by telephone, electronic mail, fax and mail.

Course Offerings-Summer Residential Study

Most students take two of the following courses each summer:

• The Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector
• Human and Financial Resources for Philanthropy
• Civil Society in Comparative Perspective
• Ethics and Values of Philanthropy
• Nonprofit Economy and Public Policy
• Law of Nonprofit Organizations
• History of Philanthropy

Directed Off-Site Study

Directed off-site study requires completing several non-residential learning experiences which total 9 credit hours and include the following:

• Internship in Philanthropic Studies
• Thesis or two higher level courses in lieu of thesis

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.

Faculty

Executive master's program teaching faculty includes distinguished members from Philanthropic Studies, Political Science, Philosophy, History, Law, Public & Environmental Affairs, and Economics. In addition, affiliated faculty are available to assist in enriching the internship experience and guide thesis research from the disciplines of:

• Sociology
• Religious Studies
• Social Work
• Finance
• Medicine
• Organizational Behavior
• Management
• Women's Studies
• Nursing
• Educational Administration

Expected Costs

Fees for the 2009-2010 academic year are $816.65 per credit hour for out-of-state students and $336.88 per credit hour for Indiana residents. Rates are subject to change by the Indiana University Board of Trustees.

Deadline for Application

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 February 15.

The deadline for Spring admission is November 15. International applicants must apply by October 15.

Application Information

To discuss the Executive M.A. in Philanthropic Studies and/or to receive a brochure, please contact Student Services at the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University.

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!

Instructions for applying online.

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.