Public and Nonprofit Management
Master's Degree Program
Would you like to take on responsibility, help shape societal developments, and advance your career in the public or nonprofit sector? If so, the Master’s degree program in Public & Nonprofit Management will equip you with the knowledge and skills needed to successfully guide government agencies, public enterprises, and nonprofit organizations through social, political, and technological changes.
During the program, you’ll explore the core subject areas of Transformation & Sustainability, Democracy & Politics, Organization & Digitalization, and Financing & Planning, while acquiring social and academic skills. You’ll learn to analyze complex societal challenges, develop organizations with an eye toward the future, and specialize in either public management or nonprofit management.
Experience it firsthand instead of just talking about it
Case studies, projects, guest lectures, and field trips–such as to Brussels or the Austrian Association of Cities and Towns–foster close ties to professional practice and the field.
Finding the Right Balance Between Work and School
The specially designed program combines in-person and online instruction, allowing students to optimally balance their studies, career, and personal life–without having to put their career on hold.
Learning from the Experts
Faculty members from academia, government agencies, public-sector organizations, and nonprofit organizations integrate current issues with scientific principles.
Play an active role in shaping the future of government, society, and organizations.
Practical, academically rigorous, and perfectly compatible with your career–start your master’s degree program in Public & Nonprofit Management now and take on the challenges of tomorrow.
Special features of the program
Today, societal challenges can only be solved through collaboration. The Master’s degree program in Public & Nonprofit Management combines management, politics, law, and digitalization, and prepares you to take on leadership roles at the intersection of government, business, and civil society.
One Degree—Two Worlds
The master's program combines public management and nonprofit management into a single program of study with opportunities for individualized specialization. This allows you to learn about the unique characteristics of both public administrations and nonprofit organizations and to understand the different requirements of each field.
Open to candidates with diverse professional backgrounds
The program is designed for graduates with degrees in economics, social sciences, law, and related fields. The diversity of professional and academic backgrounds enriches interdisciplinary exchange and opens up new perspectives.
Shaping Society Rather Than Just Administering It
The program combines management, politics, law, digitalization, and social transformation, and prepares students for leadership roles at the intersection of government, business, and civil society.
Five Future-Oriented Topics in One Degree Program
Transformation & Sustainability, Democracy & Politics, Organization & Digitalization, Finance & Planning, as well as social and academic skills, together form a skill set that goes far beyond a traditional degree in public administration.
Details about the program
Info Box
Level of qualification
Master
ECTS credits
120
Tuition fees*
€ 363.36 / Semester
ÖH (Austrian Student Union) fee
€ 26.20 / Semester
Qualification awarded
Master of Arts in Business
Duration of study
4 Semester
Language of instruction
German
CU Campus
Villach
Dates Info Box
Winterterm 2027
Period I: 01.11.-15.03
Period II: 16.03.-31.05.
Period III: 01.06.-31.07.
Period IV: 01.08.-30.09.*
Please note the guidelines for applications from outside Western, Central, and Southeastern Europe.
*This periode can be closed early.
The semester starts in October - we only offer intake in winterterm!
The start of lectures can be found in the individual timetable which is available after enrollment.
Tuesday:5:40 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. (online only)
Friday:1:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the latest
Saturday:starting at 8:30 a.m., all day
Each semester, courses are held on approximately ten weekend sessions (about two weekends per month). In addition, online courses are held on up to 4 weekends.
An overview on our upcoming events can be found here.
You are interested in a personal (online) study consultation or would like to receive more information on the degree program? Click on the buttons below this checkbox to learn more.
Language of Instruction: German (min B2)
Application essentials:
More information on the application process, admission requirements and necessary documents can be found here.
* Tuition for non-EU/EEA citizens: €500 + €26.20 ÖH fee (per semester)
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about the Master's Degree Program in
"Public & Nonprofit Management"
Which bachelor's degrees are recognized?
Graduates with degrees in economics, social sciences, or law, as well as related fields such as health and nursing management, social work, political science, or education, are eligible for admission.
Is it possible to balance studying with a job?
Yes. The work-friendly study program was specifically designed for working professionals. Thanks to the combination of compact on-campus sessions, online instruction, and predictable class schedules, you can easily balance your studies, career, and personal life.
Are there any differences compared to a business administration degree program?
Unlike a traditional business administration program, the Public & Nonprofit Management program focuses on public administrations, public enterprises, and nonprofit organizations. In this program, you’ll combine management with topics such as politics, law, sustainability, and public value.
Insights into the Program
Students, graduates, and faculty members share firsthand accounts of the Master’s degree program in Public & Nonprofit Management, daily life as a student, and their experiences at CU Carinthia University of Applied Sciences.
Book an online information session
During the online information sessions, the program directors or academic directors provide detailed information about the program. Topics include course content, internships, admission requirements, and potential career prospects.
FH-Prof. Dr. Anna Hauser-Oppelmayer, Bakk. MSc
Head of Public and Nonprofit Management
+43 5 90500 2434
a.hauser-oppelmayer(at)cuas.at
INFORMATION & APPLICATION
Virtual Campus Tour
Contact
Romana Pechac
Administration
+43 5 90500 2401
r.pechac(at)cuas.at
On foot
From the Villach Seebach train station, you can reach the campus in about 20 minutes on foot (1.6 km). The route follows the Drau River to the campus.
By public transportation
The campus is directly accessible from Villach Central Station via bus lines 3 and 8 to the “Technologiepark” stop. From the Villach Seebach train station, you can also reach the campus by taking bus line 8 to the “Technologiepark” stop. The Villach city bus schedules are coordinated with the ÖBB schedules.
By car
Coming from Klagenfurt/Vienna, take the A2 Südautobahn to the Wernberg exit. From there, follow the B83 Kärntner Straße toward Villach for about 2 km, then follow the signs toward Magdalenen See or Technologiepark.
Coming from Salzburg/Munich via the A10 Tauern Autobahn, take the Villach/Ossiacher See exit and follow the B33 Kärntner Straße for about 2 km toward Wernberg/Klagenfurt. Then turn toward Magdalenen See and follow the road to the Technology Park.
There are several free parking spaces right in front of the building, and additional paid parking spaces are available in the surrounding area.
By Plane
There are several airports in the area:
- Klagenfurt: approx. 30-minute drive
- Ljubljana (Slovenia): approx. 1-hour drive
- Graz: approx. 2-hour drive
- Salzburg: approx. 2-hour drive
- Trieste and Venice (Italy): about 2 to 3 hours by car
- Vienna: about a 4-hour drive
- Munich: approx. 4-hour drive
From there, you can continue your journey to the Villach campus by train, bus, taxi, or car.