This document summarizes a study examining experiential education approaches in nonprofit management and leadership master's degree programs associated with the Nonprofit Academic Centers Council (NACC). The study used a mixed-methods approach including interviews with faculty from 12 programs and a survey of 88 eligible nonprofit-focused master's programs. Key findings from the interviews included that the most commonly mentioned experiential education approaches were projects within a course, capstone projects, and internships. The study aims to provide the first comprehensive picture of experiential education approaches across NACC-associated programs and to inform program directors of best practices.

1. Experiential Education Approaches
in
Nonprofit Management & Leadership Education:
An Examination of Master’s Degree Programs
Associated with the
Nonprofit Academic Centers Council
Heather Carpenter
PhD Candidate & Research Associate
Caster Family Center for Nonprofit and Philanthropic Research
University of San Diego
Robert Donmoyer, PhD, Chair
Mary McDonald, PhD
Paula Krist, PhD
Roseanne Mirabella, PhD

2. Problem Statement
Research to date:
• General Nonprofit Management Education
(NME)
• Experiential education used in a single
university or on a single approach
• No comprehensive picture of experiential
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3. Purpose of the Study
• Master’s degree programs associated with
NACC.
•Types of Approaches
•Development, Administration, and Support
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4. Methodology
A two-phase mixed method exploratory design:
• Phase 1: Qualitative interviews
• 12 faculty members/program administrators of master’s
degree programs associated with NACC
• Phase 2: Development, administration, and
analysis of survey
• All eligible NACC centers - 41
• All nonprofit focused master’s degree programs – 88
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5. Phase 1: Findings
Expected
• Mission and Goals
• Institutional Support for Experiential Education
• Types of Experiential Education Approaches
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Approach Mentioned # of programs that mentioned approach
Project within a course 12
Capstone (summary project) 6
Internship 5
Presentations from professionals 2

6. Phase 1: Findings Cont.
Unexpected
• Definition of Experiential Education
• Experiential education: “a philosophy and methodology in
which educators purposefully engage with learners in
direct experience and focused reflection in order to
increase knowledge, develop skills and clarify values”
(Association for Experiential Education, 2010, par. 2).
• Formalized vs. Unformalized
• Evaluation of Experiential Education
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7. What’s Next…
• Survey Findings
• Analysis and comparisons across programs
• Comparisons NACC member centers vs. all
NME programs
• Alignment/or non-alignment with the
literature
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8. Limitations & Significance
of the Study
• Schools with 2 or more nonprofit-focused
programs
• Different language to explain experiential
education
• First study of its kind
• Potential significance for program directors at
NME programs
• Findings used in future studies
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9. Questions/Comments
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10. Questions/Comments
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