A Look at Experiential Education in Nonprofit-Focused Graduate Degree Programs

Authors

  • Heather L. Carpenter Grand Valley State University

Keywords:

nonprofit education, experiential education, service-learning

Abstract

This study documented how experiential education is defined, the setting and support for experiential education, and the types of experiential education approaches offered within nonprofit-focused graduate degree programs associated with the Nonprofit Academic Centers Council (NACC). A comprehensive review of 49 program websites, 405 course syllabi, and 12 qualitative interviews with master's program representatives revealed challenges with experiential education terminology but a variety of experiential education approaches being used within each program. Both support and evaluation for experiential education were primarily informal. The experiential learning approach was listed most frequently and the service-learning approach was rarely listed or mentioned. Further analysis revealed low levels of interactions between students and community organizations.

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