Linking practice and classroom: Nonprofit financial management curricula in MPA and MPP programs

Abstract

There is a growing interest in the nonprofit sector among the students and graduates of Master of Public Administration (MPA)/Master of Public Policy (MPP) programs. In response, curricula have attempted to incorporate fundamental competencies necessary for success in the nonprofit sector. This article explores the educational demands from the perspectives of practitioners and provides guidance to programs on course offerings, especially for the nonprofit financial management courses. Regarding the reflection of practitioners’ perspectives, we analyze a NASPPA survey for the competencies that are important for being employed as a nonprofit financial manager (employment rank) and competencies that are required to learn in the classroom prior to working as a nonprofit financial manager. We identify the competencies that are currently being taught through a selected sample of MPA/MPP programs by analyzing the syllabi used in the nonprofit financial management courses. We conclude that there is general congruence among the employment and course content except for a few exceptions.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

The Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University . (2012). Financial literacy and knowledge in the nonprofit sector . Retrieved from https://philanthropy.iupui.edu/files/research/2012financialliteracy.pdf

Grizzle

G. A.

(1985). Essential skills for financial management: Are MPA students acquiring the necessary competencies? Public Administration Review, 45(6), 840–844. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/pdf/975359.pdf

Grizzle

G. A.

P. J.

(1990). What is taught as “public financial management”? Public Administration Quarterly, 14(2), 173–189. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/pdf/41575739.pdf?acceptTC=true

Haupt

Kapucu

(2017). Core competencies in master of public administration programs: Perspectives from local government managers. Journal of Public Affairs Education, 23(1), 611. Retrieved from http://www.naspaa.org/JPAEMessenger/Article/VOL23-1/JPAE%2023_01%2020170118%2007_Haupt.pdf

Moody

Marlowe

(2009). Recent iterations in the public financial management curriculum: Is what practitioners need being taught? Journal of Public Affairs Education, 15(1), 47–58. Retrieved from http://www.naspaa.org/JPAEMessenger/Article/JPAE-Vol.15-No1-Winter2009-Moody.pdf

NASPAA Survey . (2013). Competencies of nonprofit/nongovernmental financial management. Washington, DC: Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA) Programs.

Nonprofit Academic Centers Council . (2015). Curricular Guidelines: Graduate & undergraduate study in nonprofit leadership, the nonprofit sector and philanthropy Retrieved from https://static1.squarespace.com/static/569409d24bf11844ad28ed01/t/56bbdff1b654f965b7c93e1b/1455153140726/NACC_Curricular_Guidelines_100615.pdf

Purtell

R. M.

Fossett

J. W.

(2010). Beyond budgeting: Public-service financial education in the 21st century. Journal of Public Affairs Education, 16(1), 95–110. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/25621971

Rea

L. M.

Parker

R. A.

(1992). Designing and conducting survey research: A comprehensive guide. Hoboken, NJ: Jossey-Bass Publishers.

10.

U.S. News & World Report . (2017). Best Grad Schools: Public Affairs . Retrieved from https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-public-affairs-schools/public-affairs-rankings