Nonprofit Organizations
Eleanor Townsley, Nexus director
Michael Robinson, track chair
217G Dwight Hall
413-538-3010
https://www.mtholyoke.edu/acad/nexus/nonprofit_organizations
Overview and Contact Information
The Nonprofit Organizations Nexus focuses on the study of organizational settings in the nonprofit sector. The word “nonprofit” refers to a type of business—one which is organized under rules that forbid the distribution of profits to owners. The Internal Revenue Service describes nonprofit organizations as serving charitable, religious, scientific, or educational purposes. Nonprofit organizations include global nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) such as Oxfam and Greenpeace as well as local community organizations such as the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts and Historic Northampton Museum. Students may pursue internships with nonprofit organizations to complete the experiential requirement for this Nexus.
See Also
Faculty
This area of study is administered by the following Nexus track chairs:
Michael Robinson, Professor of Economics
Rick Feldman, Lecturer in Entrepreneurship, Organizations and Society; Entrepreneurship Coordinator
Requirements for the Nexus
A minimum of 18 credits:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Three courses above the 100 level chosen from the list of courses approved for this Nexus or selected with approval of the track chair | 12 | |
| One approved 300-level course from the list of courses approved for this Nexus or selected with approval of the track chair | 4 | |
| Completion of the UAF application stages 1 and 2 1 | ||
| A substantive internship 2 | ||
| COLL-211 | Reflecting Back: Connecting Internship and Research to Your Liberal Arts Education | 2 |
| A presentation at LEAP Symposium | ||
| Total Credits | 18 | |
| 1 | Or a fifth class with approval of the track chair |
| 2 | At least 240 work hours and responsibilities that exercise ability to think analytically and creatively, and contribute meaningfully to the organization’s stated mission and complements the student's area of focus |
Additional Specifications
-
Nexus students will develop a brief proposal outlining their specific area of focus and provide a course outline for approval from the track chair. A Plan of Study form must be returned to the Nexus Program office.
- The sequence of a Nexus is part of what makes it unique:
-
In preparation for the summer internship or research, students complete courses chosen in consultation with the track chair. If seeking funding through LYNK UAF, students will additionally complete orientation and advising, and online training (stages 1 and 2).
- COLL-211 is taken after the internship or research project and culminates in a presentation at LEAP Symposium.
-
Courses Counting toward the Nexus
Courses other than those listed below may count toward the Nexus. Students should consult the Nexus track chair for consideration of courses not on the list.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Anthropology | ||
| ANTHR-212 | Shopping and Swapping: Cultures Consumption and Exchange | 4 |
| College(Interdeptmnt) Courses | ||
| COLL-211 | Reflecting Back: Connecting Internship and Research to Your Liberal Arts Education | 2 |
| Economics | ||
| ECON-110 | Introductory Economics | 4 |
| ECON-215 | Economics of Corporate Finance | 4 |
| ECON-249ME | Topics in Economics: 'Managerial Economics' | 4 |
| ECON-280 | Non-Profit Business Practice | 4 |
| ECON-307 | Seminar in Industrial Organization | 4 |
| ECON-310 | Seminar in Public Economics | 4 |
| ECON-335 | Advanced Corporate Finance | 4 |
| Entrepreneurship, Orgs & Soc | ||
| EOS-210 | Opportunities, Impact and Social Entrepreneurship | 4 |
| EOS-229 | Enterprise Startups and Social Entrepreneurship | 4 |
| EOS-239 | Fundamentals of Business Organizations and Finance | 4 |
| EOS-249 | Ethics in Entrepreneurship and Business | 4 |
| EOS-299ND | Topic: 'Individuals and Organizations' | 4 |
| Mathematics | ||
| MATH-339PT | Topics in Applied Mathematics: 'Optimization' | 4 |
| Psychology | ||
| PSYCH-212 | Individuals and Organizations | 4 |
