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What are the prerequisites for the program?
A U.S. bachelor’s degree (or its equivalent from a non-U.S. educational institution), ideally with a minimum of two to four years of full-time, part-time, or volunteer work experience in a nonprofit setting.
A U.S. bachelor’s degree (or its equivalent from a non-U.S. educational institution), ideally with a minimum of two to four years of full-time, part-time, or volunteer work experience in a nonprofit setting.
How long does the program take to complete?
Students generally complete the program in three years of part-time study (about nine terms, including summer). Students have four years in which to finish the degree.
Students generally complete the program in three years of part-time study (about nine terms, including summer). Students have four years in which to finish the degree.
Can I continue my current employment while completing this program?
Yes, absolutely. The program was designed for those who work full-time.
Yes, absolutely. The program was designed for those who work full-time.
When does the program start?
We have cohorts that begin in the fall and the spring.
We have cohorts that begin in the fall and the spring.
Is this program available to international students?
Yes. However, as the program is part-time, it does not qualify international applicants for student visas. Accordingly, international students need to have a third party (such as an employer) sponsor their visa.
Yes. However, as the program is part-time, it does not qualify international applicants for student visas. Accordingly, international students need to have a third party (such as an employer) sponsor their visa.
What types of concentrations are available in this program?
There are no defined areas of concentration in the program at this time.
There are no defined areas of concentration in the program at this time.
What is the value of this program?
Columbia was one of the first institutions to offer a graduate degree in Fundraising Management. It was believed that the academic interests/needs of students working (or with interest) in fundraising were imperfectly or only peripherally met by the advanced degrees available to them (e.g. M.B.A., M.P.A, M.S.W., etc). In addition, given the traditional nature of training in the field (i.e. experience alone), academic study can radically accelerate the learning process. This is critical, given the challenges faced by a rapidly changing economy, sector, and workforce – as well as the insufficient and imperfect pipeline of talent for the field.
We believe that we are at the vanguard of training in the field, providing students with the opportunity to learn, practice, enhance, and refine their knowledge of the sector and understanding of development strategy and tactics.
Columbia was one of the first institutions to offer a graduate degree in Fundraising Management. It was believed that the academic interests/needs of students working (or with interest) in fundraising were imperfectly or only peripherally met by the advanced degrees available to them (e.g. M.B.A., M.P.A, M.S.W., etc). In addition, given the traditional nature of training in the field (i.e. experience alone), academic study can radically accelerate the learning process. This is critical, given the challenges faced by a rapidly changing economy, sector, and workforce – as well as the insufficient and imperfect pipeline of talent for the field.
We believe that we are at the vanguard of training in the field, providing students with the opportunity to learn, practice, enhance, and refine their knowledge of the sector and understanding of development strategy and tactics.
What types of jobs will I be eligible for after completing this program?
For those currently working in development, we will train you for success at the executive level of a fundraising operation. Accordingly, you will be well-equipped to take on the next steps of your career ladder. Our graduates do extraordinarily well in their careers.
For those seeking a career transition, you will likely need to enter the field at a lower level of title and compensation than you might otherwise command. However, career advancement and access to leadership generally happen quicker in the nonprofit sector, so your long term prospects are likely brighter.
Please note that the industry – as do the faculty and staff of the program – place great value on nonprofit and volunteer experience. Accordingly, career transition without robust volunteer experience will likely prove much more challenging.
For those currently working in development, we will train you for success at the executive level of a fundraising operation. Accordingly, you will be well-equipped to take on the next steps of your career ladder. Our graduates do extraordinarily well in their careers.
For those seeking a career transition, you will likely need to enter the field at a lower level of title and compensation than you might otherwise command. However, career advancement and access to leadership generally happen quicker in the nonprofit sector, so your long term prospects are likely brighter.
Please note that the industry – as do the faculty and staff of the program – place great value on nonprofit and volunteer experience. Accordingly, career transition without robust volunteer experience will likely prove much more challenging.
Can I take a course in the program on a non-matriculated basis?
Space permitting, qualified applicants may take FUND W4370 Foundations of Fundraising and Development and FUND K4360 Grants on a non-matriculated basis with permission of the program director.
Space permitting, qualified applicants may take FUND W4370 Foundations of Fundraising and Development and FUND K4360 Grants on a non-matriculated basis with permission of the program director.
Can I transfer any credits from previous graduate work completed?
Transfer credit from other institutions is normally not permitted. However, students who hold the M.B.A. (or other relevant graduate degree) may place out of some administration courses and substitute additional electives.
Transfer credit from other institutions is normally not permitted. However, students who hold the M.B.A. (or other relevant graduate degree) may place out of some administration courses and substitute additional electives.
What is the ideal undergraduate major for acceptance into this program?
We look at an applicant’s overall portfolio, and weigh selection of majors within this context. Our current students include those who majored in history, economics, science, as well as fine arts. We are more concerned with your overall academic performance.
We look at an applicant’s overall portfolio, and weigh selection of majors within this context. Our current students include those who majored in history, economics, science, as well as fine arts. We are more concerned with your overall academic performance.
Do I have to be working in a certain field to be accepted into the program?
Most of our students are already working in nonprofits, the majority in fundraising. For those seeking a career transition, we like to see evidence of volunteer work with nonprofits – as do most employers.
Most of our students are already working in nonprofits, the majority in fundraising. For those seeking a career transition, we like to see evidence of volunteer work with nonprofits – as do most employers.
Is a formal dual degree available for this program?
No.
No.
