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OEL 553: Nonprofit Management (Graduate Level)

Course Description

This course is designed to allow students to allow students to gain competencies necessary to manage nonprofit organizations. This course focuses on current issues, theoretical perspectives, federal and state regulations and reporting requirements, policies, and methods in the development and management of a nonprofit organization. The course places additional emphasis on strategic planning, marketing, identifying financial resources (grants, fundraising, etc.), management of finances (making operational and capital budgeting decisions) and human resources—that includes volunteers, information technology, and the skills necessary for effective organizational leadership. (3 credits)

Prerequisite

  • OEL 501: Learning Community

Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

  1. Explain how nonprofit management differs from both public and business sectors.
  2. Demonstrate the ability to evaluate and critique budgets, financial statements, federal and state reporting requirements, audit reports, marketing plans and strategic plans.
  3. Articulate the ethical dimensions of public service, especially as related to the duties and responsibilities of the director and the boards.
  4. Examine political, economic and ethical issues related to managing a nonprofit organization.
  5. Demonstrate a basic understanding of accounting and financial management processes.

  6. Evaluate various theories and communication modules/methods that focus on interpersonal interactions and the challenges of interpersonal conflicts - within groups, cultures, and workplace.

  7. Apply various communication models/theories used in dyadic, small group, formal, and informal communications in small groups and from an organizational perspective.

Applicable Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs)

  • PLO 3. Develop professional communication skills.
  • PLO 4. Recommend how one develops effective groups.
  • PLO 5. Construct organizational leadership strategies.
  • PLO 9. Develop strategies that support the advancement of organization's vision and mission.
  • PLO 13. Conduct research utilizing online sources and databases and write research papers that analyze and synthesize information and data gathered.

Course Activities and Grading

AssignmentsPoints

Discussions (10 Discussion Questions @ 20 points each/1 Discussion Question @ 20 points)

200

Research Papers (4 at 100 points)

400

Application Papers (2 at 200 points)

400

Total Points

1,000

Required Textbooks

Available through Charter Oak State College's online bookstore

  • Heyman, D.R. Nonprofit Management 101: A Complete Guide for Leaders and Professionals. Joss Bass, Inc. Publishing, 2011. ISBN-13: 978-0470285961

Supplemental Required Readings / Resources

  • Links to the supplemental readings and articles are provided in the course shells.

Course Schedule

WeekPLOsSLOsReadings and ExercisesAssignments

1

5,9,13

1,4

Topic: An Introduction to the Nonprofit Organizations

  • Review the Lecture Materials (click on the "Lecture" link below).
  • Participate in the discussions (click on the "Discussion" link below). Discussions must be completed by 11:59 PM Eastern Time (ET), Sunday.  See "Discussions" below for more details.
  • Prepare and submit the Week 1 Research Paper: Public/Nonprofit Organizations (click on the "Submit Assignments" link below).  This assignment by 11:59 PM ET, Sunday of Week 1.

2

3,4,5,9,13

1

Topic: Leadership in Nonprofits Organizations

  • Review the Lecture Materials (click on the "Lecture" link below).
  • Participate in the discussions (click on the "Discussion" link below). Discussions must be completed by 11:59 PM ET, Sunday.  See "Discussions" below for more details.
  • Prepare and submit the Week 2 Research Paper: Partnerships (click on the "Submit Assignments" link below).  This assignment by 11:59 PM ET, Sunday of Week 2.

3

5,9,13

1,4,5

Topics: Law and Finance Nonprofit Organizations

  • Review the Lecture Materials (click on the "Lecture" link below).
  • Participate in the discussions (click on the "Discussion" link below). Discussions must be completed by 11:59 PM ET, Sunday.  See "Discussions" below for more details.

4

3,4,5,9,13

1,2,4

Topic: The Organization of Nonprofit Organizations

  • Review the Lecture Materials (click on the "Lecture" link below).
  • Participate in the discussions (click on the "Discussion" link below). Discussions must be completed by 11:59 PM ET, Sunday.  See "Discussions" below for more details.
  • Prepare and submit the Week 4 Application Paper: Nonprofit Organizations (click on the "Submit Assignments" link below).  This assignment by 11:59 PM ET, Sunday of Week 4.

5

3,4,5,9,13

1,6

Topic: Human Resources

  • Review the Lecture Materials (click on the "Lecture" link below).
  • Participate in the discussions (click on the "Discussion" link below). Discussions must be completed by 11:59 PM ET, Sunday.  See "Discussions" below for more details.
  • Prepare and submit the Week 5 Research Paper: Managing Employees (click on the "Submit Assignments" link below).  This assignment by 11:59 PM ET, Sunday of Week 5.

6

3,4,5,9,13

6,7

Topic: Communications in Nonprofit Organizations

  • Review the Lecture Materials (click on the "Lecture" link below).
  • Participate in the discussions (click on the "Discussion" link below). Discussions must be completed by 11:59 PM ET, Sunday.  See "Discussions" below for more details.
  • Prepare and submit the Week 6 Research Paper: Media and Social Media Communications (click on the "Submit Assignments" link below).  This assignment by 11:59 PM ET, Sunday of Week 6.

7

5,9,13

3,4

Topic: Nonprofit Organization Board of Directors

  • Review the Lecture Materials (click on the "Lecture" link below).
  • Participate in the discussions (click on the "Discussion" link below). Discussions must be completed by 11:59 PM ET, Sunday.  See "Discussions" below for more details.
  • Begin or continue work on your Week 8 Application Paper (see "Week 8 Final Project" below). This assignment is due by 11:59 PM ET, Sunday of Week 8.

8

3,4,5,9,13

1-7

Topic: Ethical Issues in Nonprofit Management

  • Review the Lecture Materials (click on the "Lecture" link below).
  • Participate in the discussions (click on the "Discussion" link below). Discussions must be completed by 11:59 PM ET, Sunday.  See "Discussions" below for more details.
  • Submit the Week 8 Application Paper: Overview of Nonprofit Management and Leadership (click on the "Submit Assignments" link below).  This assignment by 11:59 PM ET, Sunday of Week 8.
  • Complete the Course Evaluation

COSC Accessibility Statement

Charter Oak State College encourages students with disabilities, including non-visible disabilities such as chronic diseases, learning disabilities, head injury, attention deficit/hyperactive disorder, or psychiatric disabilities, to discuss appropriate accommodations with the Office of Accessibility Services at OAS@charteroak.edu.

COSC Policies, Course Policies, Academic Support Services and Resources

Students are responsible for knowing all Charter Oak State College (COSC) institutional policies, course-specific policies, procedures, and available academic support services and resources. Please see COSC Policies for COSC institutional policies, and see also specific policies related to this course. See COSC Resources for information regarding available academic support services and resources.