Nonprofit Management (BNPM)
BNPM 370 MANAGING PUBLIC AND NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS (4 credits)
This course examines key topics for effective management and governance in public and nonprofit organizations, including the scope and structure of these sectors, theories of organizational structures, performance measures, strategic planning, marketing, financial management, lobbying and advocacy, program planning, program evaluation, as well as the respective roles of board, staff, and volunteers. The course is developed using theory, research, practitioner literature, and current cases. Open to OCE Students Only.
BNPM 371 SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP & ENTERPRISES (4 credits)
This course engages students in the process of exploring significant global problems and developing innovative solutions that drive transformative social change. The course helps students understand some of the strategies that social entrepreneurs employ to create high-impact ventures, highlighting unique models for social problem-solving that offer bold solutions to complex and entrenched societal issues. Open to OCE Students Only.
BNPM 372 PUBLIC AND NONPROFIT LAW & GOVERNANCE (4 credits)
Fundamentals of laws that define and regulate public and nonprofit organizations. Exploration of the roles of the federal, state, and local approving entities, governing boards, and executive leadership needed to establish or support the organization's mission. Practical overview of legal requirements for establishing and maintaining tax-exempt status of nonprofit organizations. Additional topics include fiduciary duties and responsibilities, liability and risk management, employment law, and alternative legal structures. Open to OCE students only.
BNPM 373 FISCAL MANAGEMENT & ACCOUNTING IN PUBLIC AND NONPROFIT SECTORS (4 credits)
This course focuses on planning and financial decision-making in public and nonprofit organizations. Students will learn the fundamentals of budgeting, accounting, and financial management, including GASB standards and appropriations. Included in this course are appropriate management control, long and short-term planning, financial statement analysis and preparation, performance monitoring, and financial decision-making tools. Open to OCE students only.
BNPM 381 PUBLIC INNOVATION AND SERVICE DELIVERY (4 credits)
Explores various aspects of innovation in public organizations to improve service to the public, including effective leadership, the use technology for more seamless access, design thinking that involves an iterative, human-centered approach to problem-solving, and internal transformation of core operations. Open to OCE students only.
BNPM 470 NONPROFIT MARKETING & SOCIAL MEDIA (4 credits)
This course examines the marketing principles of mission-driven organizations. It provides insight on market research, and a rationale for market segmentation creating a foundation for why brand development for a nonprofit organization (e.g., name, guidance to inform logo design) as well as detailed positioning messages including brand promise and story are critical for nonprofit organizations. The course will also describe the marketing mix (e.g., product, price, place, promotion). The course also introduces the use of social media in marketing, public relations, and fundraising for nonprofits. It explores the major social media platforms as vehicles for nonprofits to reach their members, volunteers, and donors.Open to OCE Students Only.
BNPM 471 FUNDRAISING & RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (4 credits)
This course examines the important aspects of the fundraising process as carried out by nonprofit organizations-its value base, preparation of the case, implementation of relevant strategies and techniques, assessment of potential sources of support, utilization of human resources, and overall process management. The course will include theory to undergird practice, examination and analysis of current practice, proposal of practice standards, and discussion of ethical problems.Open to OCE Students Only.
BNPM 472 PUBLIC AND NONPROFIT STRATEGY & STRATEGIC PLANNING (4 credits)
Strategy is actualized with effective strategic planning. Strategic planning is widely used by public, private, and nonprofit organizations. Strategic planning can help organizations build capacity, increases organizational adaptability to environmental changes, improve organizational decision making, set up organizational priorities, and develop/enhance relationships with key stakeholders. Strategic planning can initiate a change in mission, structure, board, and management roles. Other benefits include thinking strategically, clarifying the direction of the organization, improving performance, building teamwork and expertise, solving problems, and decision-making.Open to OCE Students Only.
BNPM 473 GRANT WRITING (4 credits)
This course delivers practical grant research/writing skills and knowledge necessary to assist public and nonprofit organizations to secure grant funding. Learn how to identify viable sources for grants that come from federal, state, and private sources. Gain knowledge about the importance of research, data, and creating a sense of urgency, including insight on where to look (e.g., census data, think tanks, university-based research) and how to utilize the information. Gain exposure to critical tools (e.g. logic models, SWOT analysis, design thinking, grant-related business plans) for grant proposal development. Master the key components of the grant proposal (e.g., summary, introduction, needs statement, objectives, methods, evaluation, sustainability, budget, partners/letters of support). Open to OCE students only.
(MAJOR WRITING INTENSIVE)
BNPM 481 PUBLIC BUDGETING AND RESOURCE ALLOCATION (4 credits)
This course focuses on the budget cycle for public organizations, including budget development, review, implementation, and responsible, transparent, accountable reporting to various stakeholders on programs and activities intended to meet public policies related to societal needs, such as health care, education, and social support systems. The budgeting process involves balancing mission priorities with legal mandates and community needs. It includes effective and strategic methods for distributing and allocating public resources, including revenue from various sources (e.g., taxes, fees, and grants), human resources, and technology. Open to OCE students only.
BNPM 482 PUBLIC COMMUNICATION AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT (4 credits)
Public communication involves using effective strategies and channels to transmit messages that inform, foster dialogue, or encourage action. It considers the scope of communication, including who should receive the information, the general public or individuals with shared interests or needs, and how the message an best be delivered, e.g., in person, via social media, websites, TV, radio, etc. It also involves public engagement, which requires planned, intentional interactions and collaborations with the public and incorporates their needs and values into the design and improvement of service deliver options and decisions. Open to OCE students only.
BNPM 495 PUBLIC AND NONPROFIT MANAGEMENT CAPSTONE (2 credits)
The capstone course is a summative evaluation method in which the student is given an opportunity to demonstrate integrated knowledge and growth in the Public and Nonprofit major. The Capstone Project is framed as a Call to Action proposal and corresponding presentation. The Call for Action is grounded in research, readings, and insight gained from learning about the public or nonprofit organization profiled, and knowledge gained in the major. Open to OCE Students Only.