About NSP
The Nonprofit Studies Program (NSP) was organized in 2001 to foster collaborative research on the nonprofit sector within the academic community, to promote policy research that is relevant within today’s political and economic environment, to educate nonprofit managers and leaders, and to serve as a link between scholars and nonprofit practitioners in creating and disseminating knowledge about the sector. The Program is ranked number 9 for Nonprofit Management by U.S. News and World Report. The Program involves educational, research and service activities focused on helping nonprofit organizations address their social missions effectively through problem-solving, policy advocacy and effective deployment of their resources. The Program is interdisciplinary and has special strengths in economic analysis, resource development and management, and policy analysis applied to the concerns of nonprofit organizations. It includes over 30 core and associated faculty from the Andrew Young School, other schools and colleges of Georgia State University, and other universities. View academic program information here.
- Ranked No. 9 for Nonprofit Management by U.S. News & World Report
- More than 80 GSU undergraduates are seeking a minor in Nonprofit Leadership
- Since 2008 more than 170 GSU students received their Certified Nonprofit Professional Status and 91 more are currently working toward certification.
- 6 AYSPS doctoral candidates are seeking advanced degrees in Nonprofit Studies.
- Among the master and bachelor degree-seeking students from GSU’s Department of Public Management and Policy, 30% have declared a concentration or minor in the Nonprofit Studies Program.
With a record number of baby boomers retiring, many nonprofits will be looking to fill those staff positions with well-prepared leaders. Our Nonprofit Studies Program successfully prepares both undergraduate and graduate students for entry-level positions and advancement in the nonprofit sector.
Nearly 60 percent of the people working for nonprofits in Georgia have at least a bachelor’s degree, and 20 percent have a master’s degree. Those college graduates earn nearly 40 percent more than nonprofit employees with a high school diploma, and those with master’s degrees earn nearly 20 percent more than those with a bachelor’s degree.
Even students in other majors at Georgia State University seek the Nonprofit Studies program to fulfill their minor or earn a certificate.
During the last several years, the program has forged stronger connections with Atlanta’s nonprofit community through the Executive Leadership Program for Nonprofit Professionals (ELPNO) and other training programs and seminars.
An important complement to the Nonprofit Studies Program is the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance (NLA), an active, nationally recognized student organization where they can complete requirements to ultimately earn a Certified Nonprofit Professional (CNP) credential.
The NLA’s established relationships with several local nonprofits including CARE, Operation HOPE, Atlanta Habitat for Humanity, World Relief, Covenant House, Boys and Girls Club have enabled NLA members to have some fantastic internships and mentoring experiences. And the Georgia State chapter received the 2014 Sprint Campus Program Excellence Award at the NLA national annual conference. This year the chapter was recognized as a four-star campus by the organization’s national office in Kansas City, Mo.
Nonprofit Studies undergraduates are required to serve the community by working 200 internship hours with area nonprofits; our graduate students work 300 internship hours.
Professors are focusing more and more on the practical application of their research as exemplified with The Science of Philanthropy Initiative (http://spihub.org) and the work of Professor Michael Price. All of metro Atlanta is a great learning laboratory for our students and research faculty.