Study content and requirements
Public & Nonprofit Management Program
The part-time Master’s degree program in Public & Nonprofit Management at CU Carinthia University of Applied Sciences combines management, politics, law, and digitalization. Learn more about prerequisites, course content, the study schedule, and career prospects.
What should you bring to the program?
The Master’s program in Public & Nonprofit Management is designed for graduates of economics, social sciences, or law, as well as related fields such as health and nursing management, social work, education, political science, military leadership, or disability and diversity studies. An interest in management and economic issues, as well as in social, legal, and political contexts, forms an important foundation for the program.
If you want to play an active role in shaping public and nonprofit organizations and take on responsibility for socially relevant issues, you already have the ideal qualifications. In addition, commitment, self-organization, and a willingness to critically engage with current challenges facing the government, society, and organizations are key qualities for success in this program.
Here's what you'll learn during your studies
In the Master’s program in Public & Nonprofit Management, you’ll learn how to successfully lead and develop public administrations, public enterprises, and nonprofit organizations. You’ll explore current challenges such as digitalization, sustainability, social change, and demographic trends, and develop solutions to complex management and leadership issues.
In doing so, you’ll combine management expertise with knowledge of politics, law, and public administration to develop approaches to addressing current challenges in the public and nonprofit sectors. You will acquire competencies in the areas of transformation & sustainability, democracy & politics, organization & digitalization, financing & planning, as well as social & scientific competencies, and you can also specialize in Public Management or Nonprofit Management.
Practical projects, case studies, and field trips allow you to apply what you’ve learned directly to real-world problems and gain valuable experience for your future career.
What's next after the master's degree?
Successful completion of the master's program subsequently qualifies the student to pursue a doctoral program in accordance with § 6 FHStG (4).
Here's how the program is organized
The master's program is specifically designed for working professionals and allows for an optimal balance between studies, work, and personal life.
Class times:
- 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, classes are held on approximately ten in-person weekends (about two weekends per month). In addition, up to four online weekends are offered.
Thanks to the combination of in-person and online instruction, you’ll enjoy a high degree of flexibility without having to sacrifice personal interaction with instructors and fellow students.
Field trips, such as to Brussels or the Austrian Cities Conference, take place in addition to the regular course schedule and are announced well in advance.
General Information About the Program
For more information on admission requirements, the training contract, nostrification and recognition, the admissions process, examination regulations and grading, ECTS credits, and the academic calendar, please refer to the General Study Information.
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.
Current Courses
Current course - Public & Nonprofit-Management · Organisation form: Vollzeit (German)
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.
Jobs & Careers
The public and nonprofit sectors face major challenges. Digitalization, sustainability, demographic change, and social transformation require qualified professionals and leaders. With the Master’s degree in Public & Nonprofit Management, you’ll gain the skills to actively shape these developments and take on leadership roles in a variety of organizations.
A Wide Range of Career Opportunities
As a public and nonprofit manager, you’ll have access to a wide range of career paths in public administration at the municipal, state, federal, and EU levels, as well as in public enterprises and government-owned companies. You’ll also be qualified for roles in nonprofit organizations, such as in social services and healthcare, disaster response, arts and culture, sports, or nature and environmental conservation. Additional career opportunities are available at professional associations, trade groups, and advocacy organizations, as well as at foundations, international organizations, and private-sector companies that interact with public institutions and nonprofit organizations. The fields of education and research also offer attractive career prospects.
Here are the tasks you can expect
Depending on your field of work, you will take on leadership and management responsibilities, oversee projects and processes, or support organizational development and change initiatives. Other areas of focus range from finance, controlling, and accounting to human resources management and leadership, as well as regional and location development, policy consulting and public affairs, investment management, and quality and innovation management.
Your Career Benefits at CU
The Master’s program in Public & Nonprofit Management combines management, politics, law, and digitalization into a single curriculum and allows you to specialize in public management or nonprofit management. Case studies, projects, and field trips ensure a strong practical focus, while the part-time study model allows you to further your education without interrupting your career. At the same time, you’ll benefit from a valuable network of students, faculty, and industry partners.