North Park University Offers Nonprofit Management Degree Online Beginning Fall 2012

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Aug 17, 2012, 11:22 ET

CHICAGO, Aug. 17, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --– A popular North Park University bachelor's degree program for professionals who aspire to leadership positions in the nonprofit sector can be completed online beginning with the 2012-2013 academic year. The degree will be among five bachelor's degrees that students can earn online through the School of Adult Learning (SAL).

North Park University is known for educational offerings in the nonprofit arena. With this new option, SAL students will be able to earn nonprofit management degrees through a combination of online and in-person classes, or exclusively online, said Dr. Pamela Ransom, SAL associate professor and chair of the school's nonprofit management and criminal justice majors.

SAL students in nonprofit management gain a foundational understanding of the nonprofit sector, plus specific skills and professional contacts to be successful managers. "What is different about our program is that we have a real-world component, and a real-world focus about not-for-profit management," Ransom said.

Students who have earned the degrees have moved into fulfilling careers. Violet Ricker earned her degree in 2010 through a combination of online and in-person classes, which she took at the University's satellite campus in Grayslake, Ill., and at the Chicago campus. Today, she is executive director of Waukegan Main Street, a nonprofit organization that works for community and economic development in downtown Waukegan, Ill., her hometown.

The degree program brought together many disciplines, Ricker said. "I understand the connectedness of volunteer development, fundraising, communication and community outreach," she said. "To have that in a program versus learning on the job is very valuable. The best part for me was collective expertise from my fellow students in the program."

Lindsay LeVally earned a nonprofit management degree in 2009 through the SAL, attending classes in-person and taking at least one course online. She is currently in the process of moving to Springfield, Ill., where she will manage a new branch office for Grimco, Inc., a national wholesale sign supply company.

"I was able to get this job with the degree, and I've been here a year and a half," LeVally said. "I'm now being given chance to manage a branch in Springfield. I wouldn't even be working for Grimco without this degree. Every paper I did was on my company when I was at North Park."

SOURCE North Park University