Deliver essential services while advancing a cause you’re passionate about
Gain the skills you need to run organizations and programs that provide essential services to people from all walks of life. You’ll learn how to manage people, projects, and communication. You’ll study cost-benefit analysis, fund development, and financial management in order to develop the managerial tools necessary to lead healthy organizations while advancing a cause or mission that you’re passionate about. You’ll also have opportunities to explore global issues in the nonprofit sector by studying abroad in Denmark or France.
Membership Associate
United Nations Foundation, Washington, D.C.
“I’ve gone from volunteer coordination with a national park to fundraising at a museum. The flexibility and knowledge I gained from my degree have been invaluable to my career path.”
Charley Jackson, BSPA’19
MPA Student
O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs
“I chose nonprofit management because I felt like it had the most comprehensive curriculum and strongest faculty to expand on my knowledge of nonprofits and be prepared for a career in that field.”
Expert faculty
“Our students are mission-driven and recognize that nonprofit management allows you to pursue your passion—or the arts or the environment or animals—while also having a rewarding career.”
—Laura Littlepage, Clinical Associate Professor
Required coursework
As a student in the O’Neill School, you will complete your degree requirements based on your matriculation date—the date you entered Indiana University Bloomington.
YourAcademic Advising Reportis your personalized report outlining your progress toward graduation. The requirements below are for advising purposes only and are not official. To discuss your degree requirements and academic goals, make an appointment with your academic advisor academic advisor.
All your degree requirements are based on the semester and year you entered IU Bloomington. If you became an IU Bloomington student either Fall 2020 or Spring 2021 you are in the right place!
General Education: Select the appropriate academic year based on your entry date at IUB
BSPA Core
SPEA-E 183 Environment & People (3cr)
SPEA-V 181 US Policy & Administration (3cr)
SPEA-V 182 Policy-making around the World: Comparative and International Approaches (3cr)
SPEA-V 184 Law & Public Affairs (3cr)
SPEA-V 185 Management of Public Problems and Solutions (3cr)
SPEA-V 186 Introduction to Public Budgeting and Finance for Public Affairs (3cr)
Other Required Courses (18cr)
ECON-E 251 Fundamentals of Economics I (3cr) or ECON-B 251 Fundamentals of Economics for Business I (3cr)
POLS Political Science (any course or an approved non-O'Neill study abroad course, 3cr)
Nonprofit Management & Leadership Major (12 courses, 36 credits)
Courses may be listed in more than one area below. However, no course will count more than once in the major. Additionally, no course used to fulfill the “BSPA Required Courses” above may be used to also fulfill the “Nonprofit Management & Leadership” below. Additional courses beyond the general education, core, and major requirements are needed to complete the minimum of 120 hours required for the degree.
The followingsixcourses:
SPEA-V 221 Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector (3cr)
SPEA-V 236 Managing and Leading Organizations (3cr)*
SPEA-V 246 Elements of Government and Nonprofit Financial Accounting Cycle (3cr) (P: SPEA-V 186)
SPEA-V 370 Research Methods and Statistical Modeling (3cr) (P: SPEA-K300 or equivalent)
SPEA-V 378 Federal Government Processes (3cr)
SPEA-V 379 Performance Measurement and Program Evaluation (3cr)
SPEA-V 401 Financial and Cost-Benefit Analysis (3cr) (P: SPEA-V 202)
SPEA-V 409 Federal Policymaking and the Hearing Process (3cr)
SPEA-V 412 Leadership and Ethics (3cr)
SPEA-V 415 Data Science in Public and Environmental Affairs (3cr)
SPEA-V 424 Environmental Law, Justice and Politics (3cr)
SPEA-V 425 Homeland Security: Policy and Practice (3cr)
SPEA-V 435 Negotiation and Alternative Dispute Resolution (3cr)
SPEA-V 436 Communication for Government and Nonprofit Organizations (3cr)
SPEA-V 450 Contemporary Issues in Public Affairs (1-3cr) (approved topics only; consult O’Neill Academic Advisor; repeatable with different topics)
SPEA-V 463 Interpersonal Relations in the Workplace (3cr)
SPEA-V 475 Database Management Systems (3cr)
SPEA-V 482 Overseas Topics in Public Affairs (0-15cr) (approved topics only; consult O’Neill Academic Advisor; repeatable with different topics)
SPEA-V491 Honors Research in Public and Environmental Affairs (3cr)
SPEA-V499 Honors Thesis (3cr)
INTL-I 202 Global Health and the Environment (3cr)
MSCH-R 431 Public Relations for Nonprofits (3cr) (P: MSCH-R 321 or JOUR-J 321 with a grade of C- or higher)
SOC-S 201 Social Problems (3cr)
SOC-S 217 Social Inequality (3cr)
SPH-R 311 Management in Recreation, Parks, and Tourism (3cr)
SWK-S 352 Social Welfare Policy and Practice (3cr)
Electives
Electives are courses that do not meet general education or major requirements, and may be used to fulfill the remainder of the 120 credit hours required for this degree. Please meet with your academic advisor to discuss your electives.
All your degree requirements are based on the semester and year you entered IU Bloomington. If you became an IU Bloomington student either Fall 2019 or Spring 2020 you are in the right place!
General Education: Select the appropriate academic year based on your entry date at IUB
BSPA Core
SPEA-E 183 Environment & People (3cr)
SPEA-V 181 US Policy & Administration (3cr)
SPEA-V 182 Policy-making around the World: Comparative and International Approaches (3cr)
SPEA-V 184 Law & Public Affairs (3cr)
SPEA-V 185 Management of Public Problems and Solutions (3cr)
SPEA-V 186 Introduction to Public Budgeting and Finance for Public Affairs (3cr)
Other Required Courses (18cr)
ECON-E 201 Introduction to Microeconomics (3cr)
POLS Political Science (any course or an approved non-O'Neill study abroad course, 3cr)
Nonprofit Management & Leadership Major (12 courses, 36 credits)
Courses may be listed in more than one area below. However, no course will count more than once in the major. Additionally, no course used to fulfill the “BSPA Required Courses” above may be used to also fulfill the “Nonprofit Management & Leadership” below. Additional courses beyond the general education, core, and major requirements are needed to complete the minimum of 120 hours required for the degree.
The followingsixcourses:
SPEA-V 221 Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector (3cr)
SPEA-V 236 Managing and Leading Organizations (3cr)*
SPEA-V 246 Elements of Government and Nonprofit Financial Accounting Cycle (3cr) (P: SPEA-V 186)
SPEA-V 368 Managing Government Operations (3cr) (P: SPEA-V 348)
SPEA-V 369 Managing Information Technology (3cr)
SPEA-V 370 Research Methods and Statistical Modeling (3cr) (P: SPEA-K300 or equivalent)
SPEA-V 379 Performance Measurement and Program Evaluation (3cr)
SPEA-V 401 Financial and Cost-Benefit Analysis (3cr) (P: SPEA-V 202)
SPEA-V 412 Leadership and Ethics (3cr)
SPEA-V 435 Negotiation and Alternative Dispute Resolution (3cr)
SPEA-V 436 Communication for Government and Nonprofit Organizations (3cr)
SPEA-V 450 Contemporary Issues in Public Affairs (1-3cr) (approved topics only; consult O’Neill Academic Advisor; repeatable with different topics)
SPEA-V 463 Interpersonal Relations in the Workplace (3cr)
SPEA-V 475 Database Management Systems (3cr)
SPEA-V 482 Overseas Topics in Public Affairs (0-15cr) (approved topics only; consult O’Neill Academic Advisor; repeatable with different topics)
SPEA-V491 Honors Research in Public and Environmental Affairs (3cr)
SPEA-V499 Honors Thesis (3cr)
INTL-I 202 Global Health and the Environment (3cr)
MSCH-R 431 Public Relations for Nonprofits (3cr) (P: MSCH-R 321 or JOUR-J 321 with a grade of C- or higher)
SOC-S 201 Social Problems (3cr)
SOC-S 217 Social Inequality (3cr)
SPH-R 311 Management in Recreation, Parks, and Tourism (3cr)
SWK-S 352 Social Welfare Policy and Practice (3cr)
Electives
Electives are courses that do not meet general education or major requirements, and may be used to fulfill the remainder of the 120 credit hours required for this degree. Please meet with your academic advisor to discuss your electives.
All your degree requirements are based on the semester and year you entered IU Bloomington. If you became an IU Bloomington student either Fall 2018 or Spring 2019 you are in the right place!
General Education: Select the appropriate academic year based on your entry date at IUB
BSPA Core
SPEA-V 181 US Policy & Administration (3cr)
SPEA-V 182 Policy-making around the World: Comparative and International Approaches (3cr)
SPEA-E 183 Environment & People (3cr)
SPEA-V 184 Law & Public Affairs (3cr)
SPEA-V 185 Management of Public Problems and Solutions (3cr)
SPEA-V 186 Introduction to Public Budgeting and Finance for Public Affairs (3cr)
Nonprofit Management & Leadership Major (12 courses, 36 credits)
Courses may be listed in more than one area below. However, no course will count more than once in the major. Additionally, no course used to fulfill the “BSPA Required Courses” above may be used to also fulfill the “Nonprofit Management & Leadership” below. Additional courses beyond the general education, core, and major requirements are needed to complete the minimum of 120 hours required for the degree.
The followingsixcourses:
SPEA-V 221 Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector (3cr)
SPEA-V 236 Managing and Leading Organizations (3cr)*
SPEA-V 246 Elements of Government and Nonprofit Financial Accounting Cycle (3cr) (P: SPEA-V 186)
SPEA-V 368 Managing Government Operations (3cr) (P: SPEA-V 348)
SPEA-V 369 Managing Information Technology (3cr)
SPEA-V 370 Research Methods and Statistical Modeling (3cr) (P: SPEA-K300 or equivalent)
SPEA-V 379 Performance Measurement and Program Evaluation (3cr)
SPEA-V 401 Financial and Cost-Benefit Analysis (3cr) (P: SPEA-V 202)
SPEA-V 412 Leadership and Ethics (3cr)
SPEA-V 435 Negotiation and Alternative Dispute Resolution (3cr)
SPEA-V 436 Communication for Government and Nonprofit Organizations (3cr)
SPEA-V 450 Contemporary Issues in Public Affairs (3cr) (approved topics only; consult O’Neill Academic Advisor; repeatable with different topics)
SPEA-V 463 Interpersonal Relations in the Workplace (3cr) (P: SPEA-V 236 and SPEA-V 336)
SPEA-V 475 Database Management Systems (3cr) (P: SPEA-V 261, SPEA-V 369, or equivalent)
SPEA-V 482 Overseas Topics in Public Affairs (0-15cr) (approved topics only; consult O’Neill Academic Advisor; repeatable with different topics)
SPEA-V491 Honors Research in Public and Environmental Affairs (3cr)
SPEA-V499 Honors Thesis (3cr)
INTL-I 202 Global Health and the Environment (3cr)
MSCH-R 431 Public Relations for Nonprofits (3cr) (P: MSCH-R 321 or JOUR-J 321 with a grade of C- or higher)
SOC-S 201 Social Problems (3cr)
SOC-S 217 Social Inequality (3cr)
SPH-R 311 Management in Recreation, Parks, and Tourism (3cr)
SWK-S 352 Social Welfare Policy and Practice (3cr) (P: SWK-S 251 or permission of instructor)
Electives
Electives are courses that do not meet general education or major requirements, and may be used to fulfill the remainder of the 120 credit hours required for this degree. Please meet with your academic advisor to discuss your electives.
All your degree requirements are based on the semester and year you entered IU Bloomington. If you became an IU Bloomington student either Fall 2017 or Spring 2018 you are in the right place!
General Education: Select the appropriate academic year based on your entry date at IUB
O’Neill Preparation
Communication (6cr)
Professional Writing –Onecourse from:
ENG-W 231 Professional Writing Skills (3cr) (P: English comp)
ENG-W 240 Community Service Writing (3cr) (P: English comp)
BUS-C 204 Business Communications (3cr) (P: English comp with grade C or better, and second-year standing)
Or O’Neill equivalent
Oral Communication –Onecourse from:
ANTH-A 122 Interpersonal Communication (3cr)
ANTH-L 208 Ways of Speaking (3cr)
BUS-C 104 Business Presentations (3cr)
COLL-P 155 Public Oral Communication (3cr)
ENG-R 228 Argumentation and Public Advocacy (3cr)
THTR-T 120 Acting I: Foundations of Acting (3cr)
Or O’Neill equivalent
Quantitative (12cr)
Computer –Onecourse from:
SPEA-V 261 Computers in Public Affairs (3cr)
BUS-K 201 The Computer in Business (3cr)
CSCI-A 110 Introduction to Computers and Computing (3cr) (P: One year high school algebra or MATH-M 014)
CSCI-A 201 Introduction to Programming I (4cr) (P: Two years high school math or MATH-M 014)
SPEA-V 368 Managing Government Operations (3cr) (P: SPEA-V 348)
SPEA-V 369 Managing Information Technology (3cr)
SPEA-V 370 Research Methods and Statistical Modeling (3cr) (P: SPEA-K300 or equivalent)
SPEA-V 379 Performance Measurement and Program Evaluation (3cr)
SPEA-V 401 Financial and Cost-Benefit Analysis (3cr) (P: SPEA-V 361)
SPEA-V 412 Leadership and Ethics (3cr)
SPEA-V 435 Negotiation and Alternative Dispute Resolution (3cr)
SPEA-V 436 Communication for Government and Nonprofit Organizations (3cr)
SPEA-V 450 Contemporary Issues in Public Affairs (3cr) (approved topics only; consult O’Neill Academic Advisor; repeatable with different topics)
SPEA-V 463 Interpersonal Relations in the Workplace (3cr) (P: SPEA-V 236 and SPEA-V 336)
SPEA-V 475 Database Management Systems (3cr) (P: SPEA-V 261, SPEA-V 369, or equivalent)
SPEA-V 482 Overseas Topics in Public Affairs (0-15cr) (approved topics only; consult O’Neill Academic Advisor; repeatable with different topics)
SPEA-A 163 Art Worlds: Management, Markets, and Policy (3cr)
SPEA-A 241 Inside Community Arts Organizations (3cr)
SPEA-A 354 Arts Marketing Fundamentals (3cr)
SPEA-A 459 Public Policy and the Arts (3cr)
SPEA-A 464 The Economics and Administration of Arts Organizations (3cr)
SPEA-A 483 Creative Thinking Techniques and Entrepreneurship in Arts Management (3cr)
SPEA-H 124 Healthcare Management & Policy (3cr)
SPEA-H 316 Environmental Health Science (3cr) (P: SPEA-H 124 or permission of instructor)
SPEA-H 492 Global Health Issues and Management (3cr)
SPEA-E 363 Environmental Management (3cr)
SPEA-E 466 International and Comparative Environmental Policy (3cr)
SPH-R 311 Management in Recreation, Parks, and Tourism (3cr)
MSCH-R 431 Public Relations for Nonprofits (3cr) (P: JOUR-J 321 with a grade of C- or higher)
SWK-S 352 Social Welfare Policy and Practice (3cr) (P: SWK-S 251 or permission of instructor)
SWK-S 433 Community Behavior and Practice Within a Generalist Perspective (3cr) (P: SWK-S 322, SWK-S 331, SWK-S 332, SWK-S 352, and SWK-S 371)
INTL-I 202 Global Health and the Environment (3cr)
SOC-S 201 Social Problems (3cr)
SOC-S 217 Social Inequality (3cr)
*Exception requests may be submitted to an O’Neill Academic Advisor.
Electives
Electives are courses that do not meet general education or major requirements, and may be used to fulfill the remainder of the 120 credit hours required for this degree. Please meet with youracademic advisorto discuss your electives.
All your degree requirements are based on the semester and year you entered IU Bloomington. If you became an IU Bloomington student either Fall 2016 or Spring 2017 you are in the right place!
General Education: Select the appropriate academic year based on your entry date at IUB
O’Neill Preparation
Communication (6cr)
Professional Writing –Onecourse from:
ENG-W 231 Professional Writing Skills (3cr) (P: English comp)
ENG-W 240 Community Service Writing (3cr) (P: English comp)
BUS-C 204 Business Communications (3cr) (P: English comp with grade C or better, and second-year standing)
SPEA-V 260 Professional Writing for Public Affairs (3cr)
Oral Communication –Onecourse from:
ANTH-A 122 Interpersonal Communication (3cr)
ANTH-L 208 Ways of Speaking (3cr)
BUS-C 104 Business Presentations (3cr)
COLL-P 155 Public Oral Communication (3cr)
ENG-R 228 Argumentation and Public Advocacy (3cr)
THTR-T 120 Acting I: Foundations of Acting (3cr)
SPEA-V 260 Speaking, Listening and Public Affairs (3cr)
Quantitative (12cr)
Computer –Onecourse from:
SPEA-V 261 Computers in Public Affairs (3cr)
BUS-K 201 The Computer in Business (3cr)
CSCI-A 110 Introduction to Computers and Computing (3cr) (P: One year high school algebra or MATH-M 014)
CSCI-A 201 Introduction to Programming I (4cr) (P: Two years high school math or MATH-M 014)
SPEA-V 368 Managing Government Operations (3cr) (P: SPEA-V 348)
SPEA-V 369 Managing Information Technology (3cr)
SPEA-V 370 Research Methods and Statistical Modeling (3cr) (P: SPEA-K300 or equivalent)
SPEA-V 379 Performance Measurement and Program Evaluation (3cr)
SPEA-V 401 Financial and Cost-Benefit Analysis (3cr) (P: SPEA-V 361)
SPEA-V 412 Leadership and Ethics (3cr)
SPEA-V 435 Negotiation and Alternative Dispute Resolution (3cr)
SPEA-V 436 Communication for Government and Nonprofit Organizations (3cr)
SPEA-V 450 Contemporary Issues in Public Affairs (3cr) (approved topics only; consult O’Neill Academic Advisor; repeatable with different topics)
SPEA-V 463 Interpersonal Relations in the Workplace (3cr) (P: SPEA-V 236 and SPEA-V 336)
SPEA-V 475 Database Management Systems (3cr) (P: SPEA-V 261, SPEA-V 369, or equivalent)
SPEA-V 482 Overseas Topics in Public Affairs (approved topics only; consult O’Neill Academic Advisor; repeatable with different topics)
SPEA-A 163 Art Worlds: Management, Markets, and Policy (3cr)
SPEA-A 241 Inside Community Arts Organizations (3cr)
SPEA-A 354 Arts Marketing Fundamentals (3cr)
SPEA-A 459 Public Policy and the Arts (3cr)
SPEA-A 464 The Economics and Administration of Arts Organizations (3cr)
SPEA-A 483 Creative Thinking Techniques and Entrepreneurship in Arts Management (3cr)
SPEA-H 124 Healthcare Management & Policy (3cr)
SPEA-H 416 Environmental Health Policy (3cr)
SPEA-H 492 Global Health Issues and Management (3cr)
SPEA-E 363 Environmental Management (3cr)
SPEA-E 466 International and Comparative Environmental Policy (3cr)
SPH-R 311 Management in Recreation, Parks, and Tourism (3cr)
MSCH-R 431 Public Relations for Nonprofits (3cr) (P: JOUR-J 321 with a grade of C- or higher)
SWK-S 352 Social Welfare Policy and Practice (3cr) (P: SWK-S 251 or permission of instructor)
INTL-I 202 Global Health and the Environment (3cr)
SOC-S 201 Social Problems (3cr)
SOC-S 217 Social Inequality (3cr)
*Exception request may be submitted to an O’Neill Academic Advisor.
Electives
Electives are courses that do not meet general education or major requirements, and may be used to fulfill the remainder of the 120 credit hours required for this degree. Please meet with youracademic advisorto discuss your electives.
All your degree requirements are based on the semester and year you entered IU Bloomington. If you became an IU Bloomington student either Fall 2015 or Spring 2016 you are in the right place!
General Education: Select the appropriate academic year based on your entry date at IUB
O’Neill Preparation
Communication (6cr)
Professional Writing –Onecourse from:
ENG-W 231 Professional Writing Skills (3cr) (P: English comp)
ENG-W 240 Community Service Writing (3cr) (P: English comp)
BUS-C 204 Business Communications (3cr) (P: English comp with grade C or better, and second-year standing)
O’Neill equivalent (3cr)
Oral Communication –Onecourse from:
ANTH-A 122 Interpersonal Communication (3cr)
ANTH-L 208 Ways of Speaking (3cr)
BUS-C 104 Business Presentations (3cr)
COLL-P 155 Public Oral Communication (3cr)
ENG-R 228 Argumentation and Public Advocacy (3cr)
THTR-T 120 Acting I: Foundations of Acting (3cr)
O’Neill equivalent (3cr)
Quantitative (12cr)
Computer –Onecourse from:
SPEA-V 261 Computers in Public Affairs (3cr)
BUS-K 201 The Computer in Business (3cr)
CSCI-A 110 Introduction to Computers and Computing (3cr) (P: One year high school algebra or MATH-M 014)
CSCI-A 201 Introduction to Programming I (4cr) (P: Two years high school math or MATH-M 014)
SPEA-V 368 Managing Government Operations (3cr) (P: SPEA-V 348)
SPEA-V 369 Managing Information Technology (3cr)
SPEA-V 370 Research Methods and Statistical Modeling (3 cr.) (P: SPEA-K300 or equivalent)
SPEA-V 379 Performance Measurement and Program Evaluation (3cr)
SPEA-V 401 Financial and Cost-Benefit Analysis (3cr) (P: SPEA-V 361)
SPEA-V 412 Leadership and Ethics (3cr)
SPEA-V 435 Negotiation and Alternative Dispute Resolution (3cr)
SPEA-V 436 Communication for Government and Nonprofit Organizations (3cr)
SPEA-V 463 Interpersonal Relations in the Workplace (3cr) (P: SPEA-V 236 and SPEA-V 336)
SPEA-V 475 Database Management Systems (3cr) (P: SPEA-V 261, SPEA-V 369, or equivalent)
SPEA-V 482 Overseas Topics in Public Affairs (approved topics only; consult O’Neill Academic Advisor; 3 credits can be applied to the NPML major)
SPEA-A 163 Art Worlds: Management, Markets, and Policy (3cr)
SPEA-A 354 Arts Marketing Fundamentals (3cr)
SPEA-A 459 Public Policy and the Arts (3 cr)
SPEA-A 464 The Economics and Administration of Arts Organizations (3cr)
SPEA-A 483 Creative Thinking Techniques and Entrepreneurship in Arts Management (3cr)
SPEA-H 124 Healthcare Management & Policy (3cr)
SPEA-H 416 Environmental Health Policy (3 cr)
SPEA-H 492 Global Health Issues and Management (3 cr)
SPEA-E 363 Environmental Management (3cr)
SPEA-E 466 International and Comparative Environmental Policy (3 cr)
SPH-R 311 Management in Recreation, Parks, and Tourism (3 cr)
MSCH-R 431 Public Relations for Nonprofits (3cr) (P: JOUR-J 321 with a grade of C- or higher)
SWK-S 352 Social Welfare Policy and Practice (3 cr.) (P: SWK-S 251 or permission of instructor)
INTL-I 202 Global Health and the Environment (3cr)
SOC-S 201 Social Problems (3 cr.)
SOC-S 217 Social Inequality (3 cr)
Electives
Electives are courses that do not meet general education or major requirements, and may be used to fulfill the remainder of the 120 credit hours required for this degree. Please meet with youracademic advisorto discuss your electives.