Program Overview

         The Master of Arts Program in Philanthropy and Development serves the development professional seeking an advanced education, professional academic credentials, additional expertise, and a broad philosophical perspective in the areas of philanthropy and development. The program is designed for early-to-mid-career fundraising practitioners.

         The majority of coursework of coursework is completed during three 18-day summer residency sessions at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota's Winona campus. The summer format of the program was designed as a model in adult education. This format emphasizes a unique residential learning climate as well as the integration of professional experience and education.

         The concentrated summer format supports adult learning by creating a scholarly and reflective community in which students become immersed in the disciplines of philanthropy and development.

          The Philanthropy and Development program offers a Master of Arts degree consisting of 30 semester credits. This includes eight credit hours of coursework during each summer session and a six-credit Project Demonstrating Mastery. This program takes place over a two-year (three-summer) period. 

         During each summer, students take three to four courses equivalent to eight credits over an 18-day period. Courses include class discussion, case studies, simulations and group activities. Fifteen contact hours are generated for each credit given. Course readings and assignment completion are required both prior to, and following, each summer session. Beginning in the first year, students are actively working toward completion of the individually designed Project Demonstrating Mastery under the supervision of the program director and their faculty advisor. 

Dates
Tuesday, July 13 through Friday, July 30, 2004 (departures on Saturday, July 31)

Costs
2004 Tuition: $315.00 per credit
10 credits per summer session

Saint Mary's University of Minnesota, Winona Campus
700 Terrace Heights #77, Winona MN 55987-1399 USA   507-457-7500)

Simone P. Joyaux, ACFRE, is a faculty member in the Master of Philanthropy and Fund Development Program at Saint Mary's University. Simone teaches the course on Volunteerism and Boards.

Curriculum for Masters in Philanthropy and Development

A student in the Master of Arts in Philanthropy and Development participates in a three-summer program. Preliminary reading and writing assignments begin during the spring, with an 18-day summer residency and follow-up assignments after the residency. The course of study during the programs is as follows:

PHDE612 Perspectives on Philanthropy (3 cr.)

Philanthropy is the philosophy and process of supporting not-for-profit organizations through financial and other contributions. This course presents an overview of the history of philanthropy, emphasizing the interaction between philanthropy and societal trends. It shows the evolution of North American philanthropy from its religious roots to its current, more secular, applications. It examines the relationship between philanthropy and public policy as well as the role of corporations and foundations. Highlighted are emerging trends and practices in development, and a review of global practices and trends. 

PHDE615 The Annual Campaign (2 cr.)

The effort to obtain annual support is much more than an attempt to raise dollars. It is a planned, coordinated effort of the institution to involve people in an intense professional effort. As the cornerstone of obtaining resources, the annual fund involves good organization, a compelling case statement, focused goals, a strict timetable and the use of volunteers. In this course, participants will learn to plan an annual fund which will involve people in their ministry and mission, enable them to test their "case," test their stated mission, goals and needs, and broaden the base of ownership that individuals feel. 

PHDE616 Individual and Organizational Leadership (2 cr.)

This is a course in applied leadership theory - an opportunity for participants to review their own and others' leadership styles in order to plan for successful cooperative ventures. Leaders are those who set goals individually and cooperatively and move themselves and others closer to them; various personal and institutional behaviors are reviewed. Techniques used in this section of study will stress active participation by students. 

PHDE618 Technology for Development (1 cr.)

This course introduces and updates students on the latest uses of technology in the field of development. Students receive "hands-on" technology experience through class demonstrations and simulations.

PHDE621 Planned Giving (2 cr.)

Planned Giving focuses on the basic theories, principles and techniques of planned giving. Case studies will allow students to explore and to understand the implications of donor beliefs, values and circumstances that dictate a particular planned gift vehicle versus other options.

PHDE624 Volunteerism and Boards (2 cr.)

Volunteers are the lifeblood of non-profit organizations and crucial to the development function. The service of private citizens in fund raising and other activities is an enduring cultural phenomenon in the U.S. Attention will be paid to the human dynamics of volunteerism; the use of volunteers as agents of change; volunteer management; as well as the selection, recruitment, training, and motivation of volunteers. Case studies and simulations will be used extensively.

PHDE626 Contemporary Issues in Development and Philanthropy (2 cr.)

Three topical categories are addressed in this course: 1) societal trends affecting philanthropy, including demographics, societal structures of work and family, the government's role as provider of human services, and the status of church-related organizations; 2) emerging development techniques, including cause-related marketing, charitable gambling, for-profit enterprises; and 3) ethical issues and problems for fund raisers and not-for-profit agencies.

PHDE628 Resource Management (2 cr.)

As the field of development becomes more complex and demanding, the role of resource management (time, people, and money) takes on increasing importance for the development professional. This course will explore and integrate these issues, and provide resources and tools to build management effectiveness within development. Experiential learning and practical applications of course content will be emphasized.

PHDE632 Theological and Philosophical Dimensions of Philanthropy (3 cr.)

All activities in successful religious- or humanistic-based institutions are grounded in theologically and philosophically sound principles. Themes in this section include community, promoting the common good, service to others, and personal giving as an active component in human development. Larger issues of pluralistic world culture, the flow of resources, and developing global communication will be considered in their ethical and moral dimensions. In addition to study and reflection of these global issues, the student will be encouraged and empowered to develop a perspective on his or her own role as a facilitator for and contributor to the strengthening of the global fabric.

PHDE634 Major Gifts (2 cr.)

This course will provide an overview of major gift programs, systems, implementation methods and strategies, as well as the role of major gifts in an organization's development program, institutional strategic plan and "philanthropic life-cycle" of the donor. The course will focus on building a major gifts program, creating a major gifts system, aligning major gifts processes to institutional mission, vision and strategic planning and the tools needed to facilitate major gifts.

PHDE636 Prospect Research (1 cr.)

Charitable organizations gather information from public sources and personal contacts to determine giving capacities and philanthropic interests of donors and prospective donors. This course addresses ethical issues in prospect research, prospect management and tracking and basic practices of creating a prospect research office. The course also incorporates simulations and class demonstrations in biographical and financial research.

PHDE638 Strategic Planning and Organizational Assessment (2 cr.)

Successful development efforts are preceded by planning and organization development activities. Strategic planning provides an opportunity to create an organizational vision and identify the steps necessary to make that future a reality. Organization development provides a realistic picture of an organization's readiness to initiate and successfully complete development efforts. This course will incorporate a small group simulation to immerse students in planning and assessment activities, as well as address the diverse learning styles of adults.

PHDE610 Project Demonstrating Mastery I (2 cr.)

During and between the first and second summer sessions, the student begins the Project Demonstrating Mastery (PDM), the culminating academic project of the program. The first PDM seminar, completed during the first summer session, outlines the scope of the project demonstrating mastery and initiates the identification of an area of interest. During the summer session and with the assistance of the program director, the student identifies issues of significance to the student and/or to the organization which the student serves. Prior to departure from the summer session, a study topic is identified by the student and approved by the program director.

PHDE620 Project Demonstrating Mastery II (2 cr.)

A PDM seminar and a minimum of one individual meeting with the program director will take place during the second summer session. With the assistance of the program director, the student selects an appropriate faculty advisor. It is the role of the advisor to be a content resource for the student. Research methods and data gathering instruments are approved by the program director. The research methods are carried out as described in the study proposal using the approved research instruments. An analysis of the research findings, development of the study conclusions and recommendations are completed.

PHDE630 Project Demonstrating Mastery III (2 cr.)

A complete draft of the final PDM paper is submitted to the faculty advisor prior to the beginning of the third summer session. Once approved, it is then forwarded to the program director for final review and approval. The colloquium is presented at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota, Winona Campus, typically during the third and final summer. It is attended by the review committee, fellow students and invited colleagues. The colloquium is chaired by the faculty advisor and is evaluated by the review committee. Bound copies of the approved final paper are submitted.

PHDE640 Continuous Enrollment (0 cr.)

Students who have not successfully completed PHDE630 Project Demonstrating Mastery III by the end of the summer following their third on-campus summer session, and have not requested withdrawal from the program in writing, will be automatically registered for PHDE640 Continuous Enrollment (0 credits -- $150 fee). Students will continue to be automatically registered for PHDE640 each summer session for two additional years until the student meets the requirements of PHDE630 or withdraws from the program in writing. Students who have been registered for PHDE640 for a total of three years and have not met the requirements of PHDE630 Project Demonstrating Mastery III, will be administratively withdrawn from the program at the end of the third year. A student may appeal to the Program Director for an extension of PHDE640 beyond the three-year limit.