Before You Apply
Choosing the online Nonprofit Leadership Master’s Program at Juniata: Are we right for you?
The MA in Nonprofit Leadership equips 21st century leaders to respond to pressing social challenges. Whether you work in the nonprofit, for-profit, or public sector, our program teaches the knowledge, skills and perspectives to develop you as a leader.
Our online program lets you choose to focus on particular knowledge and skill development or to acquire a range of abilities to lead nonprofit organizations and design and implement transformative strategies for social change. The curriculum creates opportunities for leaders, current and future, to identify and develop personal strengths, to hone inherent talents, and develop new skills.
The Master’s program in Nonprofit Leadership (NPL) is a natural extension of Juniata’s storied contributions to a field that focuses on leadership, advocacy and social change and community engagement.
Several factors make Juniata’s NPL MA program distinct from other programs in the field:
- The NPL at Juniata is an interdisciplinary program, encompassing fundamental theories and skill sets needed for success in the nonprofit sector
- Juniata’s program emphasizes social innovation and problem solving skills, particularly for working with communities who have been marginalized by geography, culture, or custom
- With its acclaimed international programs, Juniata is well equipped to support international students in the program as well as providing international context for students with global concerns
- Experiential learning opportunities are central to Juniata’s program
Come join us, and develop innovative leadership abilities with global reach, in our interdisciplinary program!
Are you ready for an online learning experience?
Many students are interested in online programs because they combine a quality educational experience with convenience and flexibility. An online program allows you to return to school while maintaining your other obligations and commitments. At the same time, you may have questions about what it takes to be successful in an online program. The following questions are designed to help you assess your readiness.
Are you self-disciplined and motivated?
Are you able to set aside time each week to complete your online degree coursework?
Do you have good communication and writing skills?
Are you comfortable with computers?
The computer is your classroom in an online course. You don’t need to be a computer expert to be a successful online student; you do need to feel comfortable using email, navigating the course management system (Moodle), navigating web pages, word processing software, and trouble-shooting technology problems you encounter (this may mean reaching out to friends, or the HELP desk at Juniata). You also need regular access to a computer.
If you’re still unsure about some of these questions, our staff is excited to talk with you about online learning and the Nonprofit Leadership program at Juniata.
Admissions Criteria
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TOEFL and TWE, or IELTS scores are required for applicants whose undergraduate degree was not in English
Juniata has a strong tradition of enrolling international students. Our Center for International Education is available to help international students with questions they may have. International students need to pay particular attention to the following issues:
- U.S. Bachelor’s Degree Equivalency
- Submitting Non-U.S./Non-English Transcriptions
- English Proficiency Exams
Application Checklist
- Submitted Online Application Form
- Resume
- Essays
- Two Letters of Recommendation
- Transcripts
- TOEFL/IELTS (required for International students)
Application Deadlines
Fall 2016
Program | Deadline | Notification | Start Date |
---|---|---|---|
NPL MA 30 Credits | July 15, 2016 | August 1, 2016 | August 25, 2016 |
NPL MA 42 Credits | July 15, 2016 | August 1, 2016 | August 25, 2016 |
Certificate Program | July 15, 2016 | August 1, 2016 | August 25, 2016 |
Spring 2017
Program | Deadline | Notification | Start Date |
---|---|---|---|
NPL MA 30 Credits | November 15, 2016 | December 15, 2016 | January 16, 2017 |
NPL MA 42 Credits | November 15, 2016 | December 15, 2016 | January 16, 2017 |
Certificate Program | November 15, 2016 | December 15, 2016 | January 16, 2017 |
Summer 2017
Program | Deadline | Notification | Start Date |
---|---|---|---|
NPL MA 30 Credits | March 15, 2017 | April 15, 2017 | June 1, 2017 |
NPL MA 42 Credits | March 15, 2017 | April 15, 2017 | June 1, 2017 |
Certificate Program | March 15, 2017 | April 15, 2017 | June 1, 2017 |
Fall 2017
Program | Deadline | Notification | Start Date |
---|---|---|---|
NPL MA 30 Credits | July 1, 2017 | August 1, 2017 | August 24, 2017 |
NPL MA 42 Credits | July 1, 2017 | August 1, 2017 | August 24, 2017 |
Certificate Program | July 1, 2017 | August 1, 2017 | August 24, 2017 |
Apply
Here you will find the application form that you must fill out and submit. You will need a PDF reader in order to edit this, you can find a free one here.
Essays
The goal of the essays is to give the admissions team a sense of your commitment to public service, to ongoing learning, and the experiences that you bring to the classroom.
- Essay 1. Why a degree in Nonprofit Leadership? Why now? (500 words)
- Essay 2. Why you? (500 words)
Resume
Please email a resume or CV that includes your employment and professional history in reverse chronological order, with titles, dates, and whether you worked part-time or full-time. Your educational record should also be in reverse chronological order and should indicate dates of attendance and degree(s) earned. We encourage you to include information about the following additional activities:
- Volunteer, public service, political, and/or civic work you have done
- Academic and professional honors; honorary societies, leadership and service awards
- Other professional activities
- Relevant publications; and/or
- Extracurricular activities
Two Letters of Recommendation
Please submit no more than two (2) letters of recommendation from individuals who can speak best to your academic and professional achievements and potential. We strongly prefer a balance of academic and professional sources.
Transcripts
We require an official transcript from all colleges, professional schools and universities attended, including non-degree programs. Transcripts submitted after the application deadline will not be accepted. Failure to complete this requirement may result in withdrawal of an application.
All transcripts should include degree conferred and conferral date, if applicable. If you submit your application prior to the conferral of your bachelor's degree or equivalent, we will accept and evaluate your application. If an offer of admission is made, it will be contingent upon receiving your degree conferral prior to enrollment.
Transcripts for institutions located outside of the United States: If you received a graduate or undergraduate degree from an institution that is located outside of the United States, you are required to use a third party International Credential Evaluation service to assess U.S. bachelor's equivalency and obtain a course-by-course evaluation to ensure that you are eligible prior to applying. Juniata waives the application fee for applicants who submit their academic transcripts using a third party international credentials evaluator.
TOEFL/IELTS
The TOEFL and the TWE, or the IELTS are required for international Master's applicants if you did not attend an undergraduate institution where the sole language of instruction is English. You must submit a copy of your TOEFL or IELTS score report into the online application before submission. Once your online application is submitted, we will not allow replacement of your test scores. Only tests taken within the past two (2) years will be considered.. Failure to complete this requirement may result in withdrawal of an application. The Juniata TOEFL School Code is #2341.
The online application is due at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the deadline date. You may complete and submit your online application at any time before the deadline. Save your work before moving to the next page and print a copy for your own records.
If you are mailing your application, it must be postmarked by the deadline date. Applications sent by mail should be addressed to:
Dr. Celia Cook-Huffman
Director, Nonprofit Leadership MA
Juniata College
1700 Moore Street
Huntingdon, PA 16652
Incomplete Applications
If your submitted application is not complete (for example, illegible scanned transcript, missing essays or other items) you will be informed via email. Applicants are required to submit all parts of the application by the deadline. Incomplete applications are reviewed as-is.
Late Applications
Applications submitted after the published deadlines are reviewed at the discretion of the Graduate Admissions Committee.
Tuition
Juniata guarantees tuition for three years. We understand that students may complete the program on a part-time basis. Once you have been admitted to the program, the tuition at the time of your acceptance will hold constant for three years.
Tuition Time/Cost Breakdown
Degree | Estimated Total Program Cost | Semester Hours Required | Cost per Semester Hour | Estimated Fees for Program |
---|---|---|---|---|
NPL MA 30 Credits | $23,250 | 30 | $775 | $200 |
NPL MA 42 Credits | $32,550 | 42 | $775 | $200 |
Certificate Program | $6,975 | 9 | $775 | $200 |
Financial Aid
Mission Statement: The Office of Student Financial Planning is dedicated to helping students and their families manage the costs of a Juniata education through loans, advice and information about other resources and means by which the cost of education can be met. We assist every family, not only those who need help funding student's dreams; and, our assistance continues through graduation.
Applying for Financial Aid
The Office of Student Financial Planning partners with you to help you find the appropriate methods of financing your Master’s degree. We provide contact information for lenders and other aid providers to bring together all the resources you may need. Consider the Office of Student Financial Planning your direct resource for all the information you need.
You must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to receive consideration for all federal loan resources. This should be done by June 1. The FAFSA is completed online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. This will require only the student information.
Federal loan resources for Master’s degree:
- Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan: $20,500 for the academic year
- Federal Direct Grad/PLUS Loan: Up to the cost of education after the Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan
Is this the first time you are going to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)? Would you like an in depth tutorial to the FAFSA broken down into "7 Easy Steps?" Check out the links below to guide you through the entire FAFSA process.
Financial Planning Contacts
Essential Financial Aid Links
- FAFSA: The Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Use this link to apply online and electronically submit this form. By filling out this application, you become eligible for federal, state, and institutional grants, loans, student employment and scholarships.
- FAFSA Tutorial: "Seven Easy Steps to the FAFSA, A Student's Guide to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid" is a comprehensive guide to help all students and their parents complete the FAFSA.
- IRS Data Retrieval Tutorial: You can import your tax information to your FAFSA, saving time and increasing accuracy. Using the IRS Data Retrieval may also eliminate the need for further documentation.
- Federal Loan Program: This site provides information on federal student loans, Entrance Counseling and Master Promissory Note.
Admitted Students
All students accepted into the NPL MA program are notified in a letter from the Director of the NPL Program. Once students have notified Juniata of their intent to matriculate and send in their enrollment deposit, students are assigned an advisor and will receive course registration information.