North Park University: Christian - Urban

Why Study Nonprofit Management?

Designed to prepare leaders for the nonprofit sector, the major provides strong preparation and skills in all essential functions of nonprofit management. You’ll learn to manage resources and contribute to organizational change; develop a strategic focus for solving complex organizational challenges; analyze nonprofit financial statements and develop budgets; and maximize volunteer, fundraising, and board governance effectiveness. Advance your career and increase your earning potential with a degree in nonprofit management.

Why North Park?

Long known as a hub for nonprofit management in Chicago, North Park offers you a distinctively Christian, urban, multicultural environment to hone your skills in both secular and faith-based organizations. You’ll hear directly from experienced local nonprofit leaders about the organizational and ethical challenges facing modern nonprofits, along with best practices in nonprofit leadership and management. Convenient schedule and location options allow you to earn your degree while maintaining your commitments to family, work, and your community.

Find out more about completing your degree at North Park.

Credit for Life Experience

In the School of Adult Learning, you may earn academic credit for life experience through the Prior Learning Assessment process. Credit is earned if you are able to demonstrate learning, whether from informal life experience, professional church or organizational management training, ministry licensure, certification, or any other source.

Learn more about transferring and earning credit for life experience..

Careers in Nonprofit Management

Graduates have a broad range of career opportunities in nonprofit and business management, human resources, social work, and more. Many students also continue on to graduate programs, including North Park’s School of Business and Nonprofit Management.

Learn more about North Park's Career Development Office.

Alumni Spotlight

Violet Ricker C’10 earned her nonprofit management degree through a combination of online and in-person classes. Today, she is executive director of a nonprofit organization that works for community development. Because of the degree program, Ricker says, “I understand the connectedness of volunteer development, fundraising, communication, and community outreach.”

Read more about Violet's experience.

Meet the Faculty

Pam Ransom oversees the nonprofit management and criminal justice majors. She has more than 30 years of experience with nonprofit organizations, government, and juvenile justice, and has served as president of a national consulting firm promoting technology access for people with disabilities.

Learn more about Pam.

Location Options

A degree in nonprofit management can be earned through classes offered at the Chicago and Grayslake campuses, a combination of online and in-person classes, or exclusively online.

Program Flexibility

Most School of Adult Learning students earn their degree in two to four years, with an average degree completion time of two and a half years. Our accelerated, seven-week course schedule is over through six shorter terms each academic year, with breaks over the winter holiday season and in May.

Explore the courses and requirements for the nonprofit management major.

Next Steps

Major Requirements