Big News.
Disclaimer: I am incredibly jealous.
As an undergraduate student, I felt as if I was all over the place: taking courses in political science, business, philosophy, and economics, all with the understanding that I wanted a career in the nonprofit sector. I longed for a program suited to my needs with a curriculum that made sense for someone entering the public sector after graduation. Bouncing around from department to department to gain the knowledge I needed was frustrating, especially when top-universities poured funding into graduate degree offerings and centers for philanthropy with no opportunities for undergraduates. As Michael Rosen blogged earlier today, the wait is over.
Indiana University’s Center on Philanthropy is in the process of creating a School of Philanthropy that will offer BOTH undergraduate and graduate degree options. A few weeks ago, the university awarded Bachelor of Arts Degrees in Philanthropic Studies to five students and have begun marketing the opportunity for freshman entering in the fall of 2012.
The curriculum is every nonprofit geek’s fantasy:
- Economics of the Nonprofit Sector
- Philanthropy and Literature
- Learning through Giving
- Religion and Philanthropy
- Nonprofit Management and Leadership
- Fund Development for Nonprofit Organizations
- Phialnthropy and Civic Engagement
- Giving and Volunteering in America
- Philanthropy in the West
With more than 10% of the total American workforce (13.5 million people) employed by nonprofit organizations, the need for a specialized curriculum has emerged, and it is nothing shy of refreshing to see a university respond.