Academics: Nonprofit Management

If you’re driven by compassion and a desire to uplift others, UCF’s Nonprofit Management programs can help you turn that passion into a career that changes lives. Whether you dream of leading a charity, strengthening communities or tackling society’s toughest challenges, our nationally ranked programs — No. 15 by U.S. News & World Report — gives you the tools to lead.

From undergraduate degrees to a world-class master’s and versatile certificates, our fully online, face-to-face or mixed-mode offerings empower you to lead mission-driven organizations.

Accredited by NASPAA, our programs blend innovative technology, hands-on service learning and deep community ties to prepare you for impactful careers across the nonprofit spectrum. Based at UCF Downtown, you’ll connect with Central Florida’s vast nonprofit sector and join a network of more than 5,000 alumni driving global good.

Lead with purpose — start your journey today!

Degree Programs

Discover undergraduate and graduate Nonprofit Management programs tailored to your ambitions. With flexible face-to-face, fully online or mixed-mode options at UCF Downtown, you’ll gain the skills to lead mission-driven organizations and drive social change in Central Florida’s vibrant nonprofit sector and beyond.

Undergraduate Degrees

Dual Nonprofit Management BA/BS and Public Administration BA
Nonprofit Management, BA/BS
Nonprofit Management, Minor
Nonprofit Fiscal & Resource Development, Undergraduate Certificate
Public Service, Undergraduate Certificate

Graduate Degrees

Nonprofit Management, Graduate Certificate
Nonprofit Management, MNM
Fundraising, Graduate Certificate

Scholarships

Let UCF help you make an impact — with scholarship opportunities tailored to future nonprofit leaders. As a student in the Nonprofit Management program, you’ll have access to scholarships designed specifically for your major at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.

Through A2O: Access to Opportunities, you can apply for awards like:

Ann McCormick Simpson Endowed Scholarship
Augustin Military to Public Service Transition Scholarship
Feldheim Nonprofit Management Endowed Scholarship
Fred & Sandra Kittinger Scholarship Fund
John L. Mica Public Service Scholarship
The Light Orlando Luminary Leaders Fund

Once you complete your general application, A2O matches you with scholarships you're eligible for, including those across campus and from external organizations. The application typically opens each spring.

Ready to fund your future?

Student Experience

Step into a community that’s passionate about purpose. At UCF, our Nonprofit Management programs offer more than just coursework. With service learning built into nearly half your classes, you’ll help real organizations craft grant proposals, strategic plans and outreach campaigns that drive change.

From local partnerships to national connections, your experience is enriched through internships, conferences, and research opportunities that build your skills and fuel your passion.

Internships

Undergraduate Students
Put your passion into practice. A required internship gives you the chance to support real missions—whether at a local nonprofit or on assignment in Tallahassee through the Legislative Scholars program. Choose a 3-, 6- or 9-credit experience that fits your goals.

Students in the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance earn their Certified Nonprofit Professional (CNP) credential through a 300-hour internship. Already working in the sector? You may qualify for a waiver. Enroll in PAD 4942: Internship Orientation the semester before, and let our team help you find your match.

Graduate Students
While internships are optional for UCF’s Nonprofit Management graduate students, they’re a game-changer for those seeking hands-on experience. Dive into impactful roles with Central Florida nonprofits, government agencies or even national organizations in Washington, D.C., building skills and networks to supercharge your career. The Public Service Career Showcase connects you with top internship providers, and our Handshake platform makes finding opportunities a breeze. Eligible students can earn up to 3 credits for a semester-long internship.

Connect with nonprofit leaders and elevate your expertise through UCF’s dynamic conference offerings.

For more than 15 years, the Central Florida Community Partners Nonprofit Conference has brought together students, professionals and faculty for a powerful day of networking and professional growth.

Hosted annually by the School of Public Administration’s Advisory Board, the conference welcomes nearly 200 nonprofit professionals each year for engaging workshops, vendor showcases and panel discussions—right here on the UCF Downtown campus.

Past speakers include Sister Ann Kendrick, Pam Landwirth of Give Kids the World, Bob Allen of IDEAS Orlando and media expert Annetta Wilson. Whether you’re volunteering, attending or helping plan the event, you’ll gain connections and insights that extend well beyond the classroom.

Additionally, the Public Administration Research Conference (PARC), held each March by the Center for Public and Nonprofit Management, unites scholars and practitioners across all School of Public Administration programs, offering a platform for lively panels, workshops and high-impact research.

Both conferences, accessible to local and traveling students, provide unparalleled opportunities to build your network and shape your career in the nonprofit sector.

Student Research Opportunities

Discover how research can elevate your impact in the nonprofit sector. At UCF, nonprofit management students at all levels are invited to explore issues facing today’s nonprofits through meaningful, community-connected research.

Graduate students often collaborate directly with faculty on projects exploring homelessness and housing, nonprofit growth, and the role of AI in grant writing and capacity building. Faculty like Pegasus Professor Thomas Bryer, one of the school’s most extensively published scholars, along with Associate Lecturer Angela White-Jones, Professor Claire Knox, and others, regularly present at national conferences and publish in top journals—often with student co-authors.

You’ll find opportunities to get involved in funded research, contribute to grant projects, and explore innovative approaches to service delivery, governance and community impact.

Undergraduates can deepen their academic experience through the Honors Undergraduate Thesis (HUT) program, which allows students to develop and defend original research, guided by a faculty committee. Final theses are published in UCF’s digital library and shared with scholars worldwide.

To explore current research opportunities, reach out to your faculty advisor or program coordinator — they’ll help you find the right path to dive in.

Research and Partnerships

At UCF’s School of Public Administration, research, partnerships and community engagement are the foundation of our nonprofit management program’s success. Our faculty lead innovative research projects that inform best practices, while strong partnerships with local nonprofits and government agencies provide students with valuable hands-on experience. The advisory board, made up of nonprofit leaders, helps shape curriculum and career opportunities. Initiatives like Service to Service connect students directly with community organizations, creating meaningful impact and preparing you to lead with confidence in the nonprofit sector.

Research

Faculty in UCF’s Nonprofit Management program are advancing the field through innovative, applied research that strengthens organizations and communities. From leveraging artificial intelligence to support grant writing to building nonprofit capacity across Central Florida, their work addresses the real challenges facing today’s mission-driven leaders.

Current projects include:

AI & Nonprofit Strategy
Associate Lecturer Angela White-Jones and other faculty are exploring how artificial intelligence can improve grant writing, fundraising and organizational growth. Students have the opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research that’s shaping the future of nonprofit operations.
Homelessness & Housing Stability
Assistant Professor Andrew Sullivan and other researchers are studying homelessness, housing insecurity, and systems-level solutions, giving students firsthand experience in data collection, policy analysis and community engagement.
Capacity Building
Through the Center for Public and Nonprofit Management, faculty lead training and technical assistance programs for more than 100 nonprofit organizations each year, helping improve governance, financial management and impact.
Community-Focused Partnerships
Funded projects in areas like disaster recovery, community health, and civic engagement offer graduate students opportunities to work alongside faculty who are regularly publishing, presenting at national conferences, and securing grants. Faculty such as Pegasus Professor Thomas Bryer and Associate Lecturer Angela White-Jones are among those with projects focused on nonprofit resilience and AI for social good.

Whether you’re looking to get published, co-author research, or simply gain experience working on a real-world problem, talk to your faculty advisor to learn how you can get involved. For more information about research within the School of Public Administration, visit the Research page.

Are you a nonprofit or community organization looking for research support, collaboration or capacity-building opportunities? Connect with us to explore how we can work together.

UCF’s Nonprofit Management is proud to be powered by strong, long-standing partnerships with Central Florida organizations that create meaningful experiences for students and a lasting impact for those they serve.

Through service learning collaborations, students craft grants, strategic plans, and outreach campaigns for local nonprofits like SALT Outreach, Eight Cents in a Jar, Love Our Youth, Orlando Museum of Art, and Crossroads Corral. These real-world experiences turn classroom learning into career-building impact.

These ties, alongside research through the Center for Public and Nonprofit Management, position you at the forefront of nonprofit innovation.

Advisory Board

UCF’s Nonprofit Management program is strengthened by an exceptional Advisory Board, widely regarded as one of the nation’s finest. Comprising 20 passionate professionals from diverse nonprofit sectors, the board actively shapes our curriculum, drives strategic planning and hosts the annual Central Florida Community Partners Nonprofit Conference.

Their commitment extends to mentoring students through informal mentorship circles, offering guidance on topics like AI ethics in nonprofits and career transitions. Board members also foster deep community connections, linking students with Central Florida’s nonprofit leaders to enhance networking and career opportunities. Graduate students may even join the board, with some continuing as professional members post-graduation, ensuring a legacy of impact.

Meet Our Advisory Board

View Nonprofit Management Advisory Board Members

Service to Service Initiative

For veterans eager to channel their leadership into nonprofit and public sector roles, UCF’s Nonprofit Management program proudly participates in the Service to Service initiative. As one of only 12 pilot sites nationwide, UCF offers veterans tailored graduate education in nonprofit management, supported by scholarships, GI Bill benefits and a robust network. Leveraging UCF’s military-friendly reputation and the Veterans Academic Resource Center (VARC), you’ll access mentorship, academic support and career guidance to excel in mission-driven careers.

Build on your service experience and prepare to lead impactful nonprofits in Central Florida and beyond.