Making a Living while Making a Difference
Slippery Rock University is Pennsylvania’s only public university and one of just two in Western PA to offer undergraduates academic preparation for careers in the nonprofit sector.
You can pursue a first or second major at SRU in Interdisciplinary Studies with an emphasis in Nonprofit Leadership or you may decide to add value to any major by minoring in Nonprofit Leadership.
The Nonprofit Leadership Program at SRU gives you additional career options upon graduation as the nonprofit sector is eager to hire arts and humanities, business, communication, education, environmental science, health and physical education, political science, public relations, and social work majors who have additional background in the nonprofit sector.
What You'll Learn
Required courses will prepare you for an entry level career in a nonprofit organization. Classes will teach you how to develop and manage programs for children and adults, measure program and organizational effectiveness, generate funds through grants and special events, prepare budgets and maintain financial records, develop marketing tools and public relations materials, recruit and supervise volunteers, advocate for the needs of clients, and conduct human resources functions including hiring and evaluating staff.
Virtual Orientation Videos
Watch the video above to learn more about the Philanthropy and Nonprofit Management program from a student's perspective. Visit our YouTube channel for more videos.
Choose from the following video options to learn more information about adding the Philanthropy and Nonprofit Management major/minor to your existing major.
At SRU you can combine the 18 credit Nonprofit Leadership Minor with any major while you fulfill Liberal Studies requirements, gain valuable workplace experience through your internship, and earn 9 -15 of the 48 upper-level credits required for graduation.
Minor
This 42 credit Major provides you a solid base in Nonprofit Leadership and allows you to focus on the population, service area, or nonprofit function that interests you. Students may select this option as a first or second major.
Major
Ways to be Involved
SRU nonprofit majors, minors and other interested students can join the Student Nonprofit Alliance (SNA), a pre-professional association for students choosing careers in the nonprofit sector.
SNA programs and events allow members to enhance skills, connect theory to practice and develop connections with nonprofit professionals. As a member of SNA, you can enjoy:
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Networking with nonprofit professionals from across the region
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Career development workshops to assist with resumes, interviews, workplace transition
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SNA’s Volunteer Crawl, weekend and extended break service adventures
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International travel to learn about the nonprofit sector around the world
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Program design and implementation of ‘live’ projects in the areas of fund development, events, peer training, and the administration of SNA’s “Change the World” grant-making fund
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Leadership experience as board members and offices in the Student Nonprofit Alliance
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Scholarships and membership to Sigma Nu Alpha, SRU’s nonprofit honorary
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Affiliation with the SNA Alumni Association
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To learn more about SNA, click here.
Testimonials from Alumni
ALYSSA FAIDLEY
Class of 2020
“The Philanthropy and Nonprofit Management major is an experiential program. It is unlike other majors here on campus as it allows for plenty of hands-on work. You get to experience creating your own nonprofit, plan events, write grants, manage a financial budget, and work with real-life clients. Being able to interact, work and connect with other nonprofit professionals is something that not many other majors offer and I am truly grateful for this experience."
“Being a member of the Student Nonprofit Alliance has provided me with opportunities to apply classroom curriculum to benefit the Slippery Rock campus, community and beyond. SNA provides students with opportunities to lead projects, collaborate on teams and serve others. I am incredibly thankful to have had the opportunity to participate in an organization throughout my undergraduate career that offers so much valuable experience to my future in the nonprofit sector.“
JULIA ALOISI
Class of 2020
CHAD BARGER
Class of 2002
“My experience in Slippery Rock's nonprofit program was truly life-altering. Having a strong academic background in nonprofit leadership and fundraising enabled me to have a job lined up months before graduation and later to become a nonprofit executive director at age 27. Almost every week I reflect back on my time at the Rock and how much impact it has had on my career and life. I am truly grateful for the opportunities that were present for me and that continue to be there for the SRU grads of the future.”
"Like many college students, I spent my first few years of undergraduate study unsure what career path I wanted to choose. My interest in civic engagement and volunteering led me to the Philanthropy and Nonprofit Management program, which opened my eyes to the impact that can be made on your community and the world through work in the nonprofit and public sector. The coursework and the hands-on experience I gained through internships and service-learning provided me with the tools and knowledge to get a kick-start in the nonprofit sector after graduation.”