Programs by Campus
Indianapolis
Philanthropic Studies
Lilly Family School of Philanthropy
Departmental URL: www.philanthropy.iupui.edu
(Please note that when conferring University Graduate School degrees, minors, certificates, and sub-plans, The University Graduate School’s staff use those requirements contained only in The University Graduate School Bulletin.)
Curriculum
Philanthropic Studies at Indiana University is interdisciplinary, interprofessional, and system wide. The field addresses the history, ethics, and means of voluntary contributions of time and money, voluntary associations, and civil society through various disciplinary and professional lenses.
New courses and degree programs develop rapidly. For up-to-date information, please contact the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy (philanthropy.iupui.edu).
Degrees Offered
Graduate Certificate in Philanthropic Studies, Master of Arts, Doctorate of Philosophy, and Doctoral Minor in Philanthropic Studies. Dual Master of Arts with M.A. in History, M.P.A. in Nonprofit Management, M.J. in Law, J.D. in Law, M.S. in Library and Information Science, and M.A. in Economics.
Special Departmental Requirements
(See also general University Graduate School requirements.)
Admission Requirements
Requirements include a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, a minimum 3.0 grade point average on a scale of 4.0, and a minimum 3.0 average in the student’s major field. In addition, students seeking admission to the program should demonstrate an appropriate level of achievement on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) (or comparable proficiency test) and must arrange for three letters of recommendation that speak to the applicant’s academic and personal qualifications to be addressed to the M.A. program Admissions Committee.
Applicants who do not meet all of the requirements listed above may be admitted to the program with conditions of continued enrollment, in which case their status will be reviewed after completion of nine credit hours to determine whether they may continue in the program.
Graduate Certificate in Philanthropic Studies
The Graduate Certificate in Philanthropic Studies provides students with education in the field of philanthropic studies. The degree program introduces students to the critical issues and values of philanthropic practices. It is designed for those who have an interest, and perhaps career need, for this education but who do not wish to pursue an M.A. or Ph.D. in Philanthropic Studies. It will provide opportunities both for students interested in learning more about the field as well as career professionals looking to expand their knowledge. The certificate may be completed on its own or in conjunction with other graduate study, e.g. museum studies, public health, or public affairs.
Master of Arts Degree
The Master of Arts in Philanthropic Studies is a gateway to understanding the social, cultural, political, and economic roles played by philanthropy and nonprofit organizations, and facilitates broad understanding that prepares graduates for leadership practice within the nonprofit sector. Students gain experience in understanding and applying cutting-edge research and develop critical thinking skills about the complex issues confronting philanthropy.
Financial Aid
Several scholarships and research assistantships are available. Please contact the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy for more information.
Course Requirements
In order to earn the M.A. in Philanthropic Studies, students must maintain a 3.0 grade average on a scale of 4.0. Grades in courses counting for credit toward this degree may be no lower than C (2.0 on a scale of 4.0).
The M.A. in Philanthropic Studies requires a total of 36 credit hours: 27 credits in required courses and either 9 credits in electives or 9 credits for an M.A. thesis and related methodology course. The 27 credits of required courses include:
PHST-P521 Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector is highly recommended as the first course; PHST-P524 Civil Society in Comparative Perspective; PHST-P535 Law of Nonprofit Organizations; PHST-P556 Grant Making and the Role of Foundations; PHST-P558 Principles and Practices of Fundraising; PHST-P590 Internship/Directed off-site study; PHST-P515/HIST-H516 History of Philanthropy; ECON-E514/PHST-P530 Nonprofit Economy and Public Policy; and PHIL-P542 Ethics and Values in Philanthropy/PHST-P532 Applying Ethics in Philanthropy.
For more information, contact the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, (317) 274-4200 or philanthropy.iupui.edu.
Dual Degree Master of Arts in Philanthropic Studies and Master of Arts in History
The dual M.A. in history and philanthropic studies creates a unique opportunity to pursue critical inquiry into the historical, cultural, philosophical, and economic implications of voluntary action for the public good. Historians routinely study the role of nonprofit organizations, self-help groups, and philanthropic institutions. This dual-degree program offers an interdisciplinary focus on the past, present, and future. This degree will be attractive to students wishing to pursue (1) careers that demand the skills and talents developed by cross-training in history and philanthropy or (2) doctoral programs that encourage new and creative approaches to the historical study of philanthropy.
Admission requirements for the dual degree program are identical to those for each program separately. A separate application must be made to each program. Students must make plans early with advisors in both programs to identify common courses and a thesis topic.
Study for these two degrees can be combined for a total of 51 credit hours (U.S. or European history concentrations) or 54 credit hours (public history) rather than the 66 or 72 credit hours that would be required if the two degrees were taken separately. For all concentrations, the required 700-level seminar for the M.A. in history may be selected as an elective to meet the philanthropic studies requirement for one of two electives. The two degrees must be awarded simultaneously. Please contact the respective departments for further information.
Dual Degree Master of Arts in Philanthropic Studies and Master of Public Affairs in Nonprofit Management
The combined degree in public affairs in the School of Public and Environmental Affairs (SPEA) and the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy addresses critical issues associated with the relationship between and the functions of nonprofit and government agencies. Admission requirements for the combined degree program are identical to those for each program separately. Separate application must be made to each of the two programs, and students should take responsibility to learn about and meet the admission requirements of each school individually, which may differ from each other in application documents required, minimal standards of criteria for admission, and deadline dates. Applicants should apply for the combined degree option before completing the core requirements or 36 credit hours of the M.P.A. with a nonprofit management concentration and before completing the core requirements or 18 credit hours of the M.A. in philanthropic studies. Students must make plans early with advisors in both programs to identify (1) common courses and (2) thesis credit. Study for the two degrees can be combined for a total of 60 credit hours (rather than the 84 credit hours that would be required if the two degrees were taken separately). The two degrees must be awarded simultaneously. Please contact the respective departments for further information.
Dual Degree Master of Arts in Philanthropic Studies and Master of Jurisprudence in Law
As stand-alone degrees, the MJ degree is 30 credit hours and the MA degree is 36 credit hours. The joint MJ-MA degree is 48 credit hours. Applicants to the joint MJ-MA degree must apply and be admitted to each program separately and must adhere to the admissions requirements and prerequisite courses stipulated by each program. The student’s decision to complete the joint MJ-MA degree must be declared to the MJ and MA programs. The two degrees must be awarded simultaneously. Please contact the respective departments for further information.
Dual Degree Master of Arts in Philanthropic Studies and Juris Doctor in Law
The JD-MA program also allows students to tap into and bridge the extensive alumni network of both schools. While they are students, the JD-MA joint degree program provides students access to nonprofit-related externships and internships at both the McKinney School of Law and the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. As stand-alone degrees, the JD degree is 90 credit hours and the MA degree is 36 credit hours. The joint JD-MA degree is 108 credit hours. The two degrees must be awarded simultaneously. Please contact the respective departments for further information.
Dual Degree Master of Arts in Philanthropic Studies and Master of Science in Library and Information Science
Designed for the student seeking a management career with libraries and other nonprofit institutions. Content includes gaining expertise in management of special library programs, fund-raising and endowment management, capital project management and leadership in academic, corporate or large public libraries. The dual MLS–MA in Philanthropic Studies program requires completion of a minimum of 51 credit hours of graduate course work. Students must apply for admission to the master’s programs of both the Department of Library and Information Science and the philanthropic studies program at the IUPUI Graduate School and meet the admission criteria established for each. The two degrees must be awarded simultaneously. Please contact the respective departments for further information.
Dual Degree Master of Arts in Philanthropic Studies and Master of Arts in Economics
The dual master’s degree in philanthropic studies and economics substantially benefits students intending to pursue a career in independent research, academia, or practice. Normally, those pursuing a career in research or academia continue in a Ph.D. program in philanthropic studies, economics, finance, accounting, management, marketing, or public policy. Study for the two degrees can be combined for a total of 51 credit hours rather than the 66 credit hours that would be required if the two degrees were taken separately. The two degrees must be awarded simultaneously. Please contact the respective departments for further information.
Ph.D. in Philanthropic Studies
This program is designed to prepare future scholars and leaders in the world of philanthropy, higher education, and nonprofit organizations. It is intended for students who are seeking a traditional doctoral degree, not a professional degree. The Ph.D. will prepare students for academic positions as well as for research and leadership positions in nonprofit organizations.
Before admission to the Ph.D. program, students must complete a master’s degree in philanthropic studies or at least 30 credits of equivalent graduate course work. Equivalent work will be determined by the Admissions Committee, subject to applicable Indiana University rules. Examples include courses in nonprofit management, civil society, philanthropic history, ethics, religion, philanthropy, public administration, and business.
The minimum requirements for the Ph.D. in philanthropic studies are 90 credit hours of advanced study, of which 30 credit hours may be transferred from a master’s degree or equivalent program that has covered the concepts of philanthropic studies as described in Indiana University’s M.A. in Philanthropic Studies program. The credit hours for the Ph.D. include the following categories: 15 credit hours of required philanthropic studies doctoral core courses, 12 credit hours in a minor field, 9 credit hours of research methods, and 6 credit hours of electives. The remaining 18 credit hours are to be used as dissertation research credit taken in additional coursework that supports the dissertation research.
Ph.D. Minor in Philanthropic Studies
Ph.D. students in other departments may, with the consent of their committee, minor in philanthropic studies. The minor will enable the student to take an organized body of courses focusing on the history, culture, and values of philanthropy, defined broadly as “voluntary action for the public good.”
The minor requires 12 credit hours of course work to be taken from an approved list of courses, including PHST P521 (Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector), and passed with a grade of B (3.0) or higher in each course and at least one of the four core doctoral courses (P660 Ethical, Moral, and religious Aspects of Philanthropy, P662 Historical and Cultural Perspectives of Philanthropy, P664 or P665 Nonprofits and Philanthropy in Society I and II. With written approval from the Director of Doctoral Programs in Philanthropic Studies, courses other than those listed may be accepted to fulfill degree requirements. No more than 6 credit hours of course work may be transferred from another university and applied toward this requirement, and such credit must be approved by the Director of Doctoral Programs. Students must also successfully pass a question on Philanthropic Studies in their qualifying exams or equivalent tests required by their departments.
To arrange for a philanthropic studies minor, students should contact the director of doctoral programs in philanthropic studies, who will also recommend a member of the philanthropic studies faculty to serve as a minor field advisor.