Lilly Family School of Philanthropy

Departmental URL: 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

Curriculum
Courses
Faculty

The Lilly Family School of Philanthropy’s degree programs bring together an understanding of how philanthropy works with why people give. The school emphasizes a comprehensive approach to the study of philanthropy in society that gives you the knowledge and understanding to be active in the nonprofit field. This broad approach gives you more choices throughout your life to pursue your passions and improve your community locally or globally.

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

Located on the IUPUI campus, the school offers an undergraduate degree, the first Bachelor of Arts Degree in Philanthropic Studies. On the graduate level we offer master's and doctorate degrees. We value a multi-disciplinary approach to understanding philanthropy, with courses in the humanities, social sciences, and professions. The school’s research and learning environment includes Lake Institute on Faith & Giving, the Women’s Philanthropy Institute, the Mays Family Institute on Diverse Philanthropy, The Fund Raising School, the Research Department, the Payton Philanthropic Studies Library, the Ruth Lilly Archives, and the Center for Service and Learning.

Master of Arts in Philanthropic Studies

Admission Requirements

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 the nonprofit sector.

This 36-credit-hour graduate program includes 27 hours of core course work, 9 hours of electives, OR a 9-hour thesis option in lieu of electives.

Application Deadlines

Summer/Fall Admission Deadlines:

• On-campus—April 1 (applications accepted through July 15 as space permits)
• Executive—April 1 (applications accepted through July 15 as space permits)
• Online—June 1 (applications accepted through July 15 as space permits)

Spring Admission Deadlines:

• On-campus—October 15 (must apply by this date to be considered for financial assistance; applications accepted through November 15 as space permits)
• Executive—October 15 (applications accepted through November 15 as space permits)
• Online—October 15 (applications accepted through November 15 as space permits)

Admission Requirements

Prior Academic Work: A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university is required with a minimum of a 3.0 overall grade point average (on a scale of 4.0), and a minimum of a 3.0 average in your major field. Applicants with a grade point average below 3.0 may be considered for conditional admission.

• Official undergraduate and graduate transcripts should be mailed to: Student Services, Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, University Hall, Suite 3000, 301 University Blvd., Indianapolis, IN 46202.

Graduate Record Examination General Test: Applicants are expected to demonstrate an appropriate level of proficiency on the GRE or a comparable proficiency test (i.e., GMAT, LSAT). Results from the Graduate Record Examination taken within the past five years are required.

• Please use the IUPUI code R1325

TOEFL: Applicants whose native language is not English must pass the TOEFL with a score of 69 or higher.

Recommendations: Three letters of recommendation to the Admissions Committee are required. Preference will be given to those candidates who can demonstrate ability to successfully perform academic work. In selecting your recommenders, try to select those people who can best speak to indications of your ability to successfully do academic work. If a recommender is not in an academic environment, encourage him/her to assess your knowledge, skills, and abilities as they relate to your ability to do academic work.

Statement of Purpose: Preference will be given to those candidates whose goals and interests, broadly speaking, match those of the Master of Arts in Philanthropic Studies and its curriculum.

Résumé: Please send updated résumé to the Office of Student Services.

Ph.D. in Philanthropic Studies

Our doctoral program trains future scholars and professionals in conducting original research on philanthropy and related topics. The Ph.D. program engages both humanities and social science theory to prepare you to make an original contribution to the field.

Doctoral students have examined a wide range of topics including the history of philanthropy, why people give, the role of nonprofits in policy, the effectiveness of foundations and faith-based initiatives, and the role of social movements in society.

Students take two years of coursework on campus, pass qualifying exams, defend a dissertation proposal, then research, write, and defend a final dissertation. You should plan to complete coursework, pass exams, and defend your dissertation proposal within three years of full-time enrollment.

All doctoral students submit annual progress reviews to the director of graduate programs and their research committee chair.

Admission eligibility

Students apply online through the IUPUI Graduate School. You must have a master’s degree in a field relevant to philanthropic studies. Other requirements include a statement of research interest that identifies Lilly Family School of Philanthropy faculty with whom you seek to work, a résumé, undergraduate and graduate school transcripts, standardized test scores such as the GRE, and letters of recommendation that attest to the your ability to conduct original research.

Graduate Record Examination General Test: Applicants are expected to demonstrate an appropriate level of proficiency on the GRE or a comparable proficiency test (i.e., GMAT, LSAT). Results from the Graduate Record Examination taken within the past five years are required.

• Please use the IUPUI code R1325

TOEFL:  Applicants whose native language is not English must pass the TOEFL with a score of 69 or higher.

Ph.D. outcomes

We admit approximately four or five full-time students annually to the doctoral program. From 2004–2015, doctoral students completed their degree in an average of 6.25 years. One hundred percent of Ph.D. graduates who sought employment were employed in tenure track (75 percent) or high-level philanthropic professional positions (25 percent).

Financial support

One hundred percent of our Ph.D. students, who are enrolled full-time, receive financial support in the form of tuition scholarships, health insurance, and an assistantship stipend for up to four years. Tuition scholarships are 88 percent of tuition for in-state students and 95 percent of tuition for non-resident students. To be eligible, you must work 20 hours per week as a research assistant or teaching assistant, attend monthly doctoral student meetings, and attend regular research seminars.

Requirements

Students must complete at least 90 credit hours, 30 of which often can transfer from a completed master’s degree program. Of the remaining 60 credit hours, 42 credit hours are coursework and 18 hours are dissertation research credits. Course work includes five core courses, three methodology courses, four courses in your minor field, and two electives.

You will identify your minor field of study and minor field advisor within your first year on campus, and pursue a variety of minor fields including Africana studies, business, economics, higher education, history, nonprofit management, philosophy, political science, religious studies, and sociology.

Accelerated BA-MA

The B.A./M.A. accelerated option provides an opportunity for high-ability students who have excelled academically to enter the workforce with both a B.A. and M.A. within five years. Since its inception as a school in 2013, the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy has identified several students who would have qualified for such an opportunity. The B.A./M.A. graduates will be well prepared to enter the philanthropic sector one year sooner with this accelerated option. Students in our bachelor’s degree program who demonstrate academic excellence and aptitude for graduate level work are encouraged to apply to our accelerated B.A./M.A. program.

• Students submit an application to the M.A. program in their third year of the B.A. program.
• The application requires three letters of recommendation, résumé, and a statement of purpose. Applications to the accelerated B.A./M.A. program do not need to submit GRE scores.
• Students must have a minimum 3.3 GPA to be considered for admission. Students with a 3.3 or higher GPA are not guaranteed admission. The Admissions Committee will evaluate the entire application when considering an applicant’s status.
• Duplicative Courses
• Two areas of study, fundraising and ethics of philanthropy, are required at both the B.A. and M.A. level. The Lilly Family School of Philanthropy has chosen to eliminate two potentially duplicative courses, one at the B.A. level and one at the M.A. level. Students enrolled in the B.A./M.A. joint degree program will take one of the M.A. ethics courses in lieu of PHST-P401 at the B.A. level. These students will take an additional M.A. elective in lieu of PHST-P558, because the B.A. fundraising course contains similar content and rigor. Students may take one of the advanced fundraising electives upon admission to the M.A. program.

The suggested plan of study for the accelerated B.A. and M.A. in Philanthropic Studies is:

Dual Degree Programs

You can earn two master’s degrees in related areas of interest in fewer credit hours than if you obtained each degree separately. By completing the dual degree option, you will have a richer education experience than you would receive through an individual degree. Upon graduation, you are more marketable because you will have a deeper awareness and knowledge of the types of organizations in which you may work. The dual degree programs are recommended if you are planning to:

• Pursue a doctoral degree
• Work in research
• Enter a specialized profession requiring in-depth knowledge of two related areas

Master of Arts in Philanthropic Studies and Master of Jurisprudence (48 credit hours) or Juris Doctor (108 credit hours)

We are partnering with the Robert H. McKinney School of Law to offer a joint master's degree program. Learn more about this program.

Master of Arts in Philanthropic Studies and Master of Public Affairs in Nonprofit Management

You will learn the whys and how-tos of philanthropy and nonprofits through this option. If you are interested in becoming a reflective practitioner, this program is designed for you. An education in both the technical and conceptual aspects of philanthropy increases your value in the job market. The Dual Master of Arts in Philanthropic Studies and Master of Public Affairs in Nonprofit Management totals 54 credit hours, in lieu of 75 hours for completing each degree separately.

Master of Arts in Philanthropic Studies and History (51–54 credit hours)

The M.A. degree in philanthropic studies and history creates a unique opportunity for you to explore the historical, cultural, philosophical, and economic implications of philanthropy. Historians routinely study the role of nonprofit organizations, self-help groups, and philanthropic institutions, and their contributions to the development of civil society and the modern world.

This dual degree program gives you rich insights into the important social relations of class, gender, and race in the last century. It offers an interdisciplinary focus on how philanthropy has affected the past, present, and future, and is attractive if you pursue:

• Careers that demand skills and talents developed by cross-training in history and philanthropy
• Doctoral programs that encourage new and creative approaches to the historical study of philanthropy, broadly defined

Masters of Arts in Philanthropic Studies and Master of Library Science (51 credit hours)

You can prepare for management careers in libraries and nonprofit institutions by earning dual degrees in library science and philanthropic studies. Content includes management of special library programs, fundraising and endowment management, and capital project management. Opportunities can be found with academic, corporate, or large public libraries.

Master of Arts in Philanthropic Studies and Economics (51 credit hours)

You will be prepared to enter professional practice, work in independent research or academia, or pursue a Ph.D. with this option. The M.A. in economics provides you with the principles and methodologies to make informed decisions on policy and management, and the M.A. in philanthropic studies gives you the background on the institutions with which you will be working. This program provides you with an analytical and quantitative study of economics and its relation to public policy and nonprofit organizations. Whether you enter the private, government or nonprofit sector, this basis of study will enhance your career performance.

Required M.A. curriculum (all courses are 3 credit hours) – 27 total credit hours

• Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector PHST-P521
• Civil Society in Comparative Perspective PHST-P524
• Law of Nonprofit Organizations PHST-P535
• Grantmaking and the Role of Foundations PHST-P556
• Principles and Practices of Fundraising PHST-P558
• History of Philanthropy HIST-H516 or PHST-P515
• Nonprofit Economy and Public Policy ECON-E514 or PHST-P530
• Ethics and Values of Philanthropy PHIL-P542 or Applying Ethics in Philanthropy PHST-P532
• Graduate-level elective in PHST as approved by Director of Graduate Programs
• 2 electives (6 credits) and P590 Internship (3 credits) required in the standalone degree are waived

Required M.P.A. curriculum (all courses are 3 credit hours) – 27 total credit hours

• Statistical Analysis for Effective Decision Making SPEA-V506
• Human Resource Management in Nonprofit Organizations SPEA-V522
• Management in the Nonprofit Sector SPEA-V525
• Financial Management for Nonprofit Organizations SPEA-V526
• Law and Public Affairs SPEA-V540
• Public Program Evaluation SPEA-V562
• Governing and Leading in a Global Society SPEA-V598
• Capstone in Public and Environmental Affairs SPEA-V600
• Graduate-level elective in SPEA as approved by Director of Student Services
• Electives (6 credits) required in the standalone degree are waived

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 affairs, or public health.

The student must have a bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university with a minimum GPA of 3.0 to apply. Applicants with a GPA below 3.0 may be considered for conditional admission.

Those interested should apply online through the IUPUI graduate school, but no letters of recommendation or GRE are required. Applicants whose native language is not English must pass the TOEFL with a score of 69 or higher.