Public and Nonprofit Administration
Major
Public and nonprofit administration program overview
Are you eager to make a difference in your community? Our public and nonprofit administration major prepares you for leadership roles in government and nonprofit sectors, where you'll learn essential skills like shaping policies, guiding teams, managing budgets and creating lasting impacts.
AT A GLANCE
What is public and nonprofit administration?
Public and nonprofit administration is about managing organizations that help communities. In this major, you'll learn to lead in government and nonprofit groups. You'll study how to create public policies, motivate teams, handle budgets and manage people.
If you like getting involved and helping your community, our major could be perfect for you. You'll gain real-world experience through internships with law offices, nonprofits and government offices like Congress or even the governor's office. The Capital City Internship Program offers hands-on learning in Michigan's state government and is a great resource.
You can also earn a Certified Nonprofit Professional credential, showing employers you understand how to best help nonprofit organizations. This can make you more desirable to future employers who want to make a positive impact.
What will you learn while majoring in public and nonprofit administration at CMU?
As a public and nonprofit administration major, you can:
- Expand your learning: Optional certificate programs are available in international nongovernmental organization administration, public policy analysis, or public and social entrepreneurship.
- Join student groups: Engage with the Nonprofit Leadership Student Alliance, the Refugee Outreach Collective, or other community-focused groups to build friendships and contribute to meaningful change.
- Customize your education: Choose from electives such as grant writing, IT management, public policy analysis, and more to tailor your educational experience to your career goals.
- Learn from experienced faculty: Benefit from professors and practitioners with decades of experience in the public sector, gaining insights and practical knowledge for your future career.
Public and nonprofit administration careers
A major in public and nonprofit administration sets you up for a successful career in any area of government or nonprofit work. You’ll be ready to thrive as a city manager, policy analyst, fundraiser, nonprofit executive, contract specialist and much more.
| Career | Projected Salary |
|---|---|
| Chief Executive Officer | $103,840 |
| Executive Director | $103,840 |
| Planning Director | $91,650 |
Explore nonprofit leadership with NLSA
Discover how Nonprofit Leadership Student Alliance prepares you to excel as a nonprofit leader! Gain valuable skills and earn your CNP credential while participating in workshops, hearing from speakers, and joining our national conference. Connect with like-minded individuals dedicated to making a positive impact!
Learn more about NLSARequest Information about CMU
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