MSc NGO Management is a 2-year postgraduate program designed to train students in effectively managing and leading non-governmental organizations (NGOs). The minimum eligibility requirements to take admission in MSc NGO Management are a bachelor's degree in any stream (preferably in social work, sociology, political science, or its allied programs) with a minimum aggregate of 50% marks of applied in a recognized university. Seeking admission is usually through a merit system, although some universities hold entrance exams or interviews.
The average course fee for MSc NGO Management ranges from INR 20,000 to INR 1,20,000, depending on the type of institution (public or private). Some of the best colleges that run the said program are as follows: Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Madras School of Social Work (MSSW), Loyola College Chennai, Amity University, and IGNOU (in the distance mode). The students belonging to the economically weaker sections might get scholarships and fee waivers.
Career opportunities after completing an MSc NGO Management include roles such as NGO Project Manager, Program Coordinator, Fundraising Manager, CSR Executive, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, Research Associate, and Social Entrepreneur. Employment is available in NGOs, government agencies, CSR divisions of corporations, international development organizations, and think tanks. Entry-level salaries range from INR 3 to 6 LPA and can grow to INR 8–12 LPA or more with experience.
Table of Contents
- MSc NGO Management Course Highlights
- What is MSc NGO Management?
- Why Study MSc NGO Management?
- Who Should Study MSc NGO Management?
- MSc NGO Management Eligibility Criteria
- MSc NGO Management Colleges in India
- MSc NGO Management Admission Process 2025
- MSc NGO Management Syllabus
- MSc NGO Management—Job Opportunities in India
- MSc NGO Management Vs MA Scoial Work
- MSc NGO Management FAQs
MSc NGO Management Course Highlights
Given below are the basic key highlights for the MSc NGO Management:
What is MSc NGO Management?
The MSc NGO Management 2-year program is aimed at empowering students and professionals with the theory and practical skills of managing and heading non-governmental organizations. The course best suits students who have an interest in social change, community development, and humanitarian work and want to develop a career in the development sector.
- Some key modules of this program include planning and implementation of projects, fundraising and maintaining a relationship with donors, monitoring and evaluation, governance and leadership, the funds management of NGOs, and social policy analysis.
- Students also examine the organizational structure as well as the operations of national and international NGOs, the CSR activities, and the grassroots organizations.
- The application of practical aspects of internships, fieldwork, and case studies will enable the students to get firsthand experience of nonprofit space challenges and solutions.
Why Study MSc NGO Management?
Master of Science NGO Management is perfect when one has a dedication to change the world in a socially active, effective, and ethical manner through well-organized development work. The following are some of the main reasons that an MSc NGO Management course is a good career move:
- Proficiency in Social Development and Governance: Among the skills that the course develops are those of planning projects, resource mobilization, donor management, and measuring social impact, among others, and these are critical to the efficient operation of NGOs and community-based initiatives.
- Focuses on the Real-world Problems: The course uses fieldwork, internships, research, etc., to place you into the real problems of the social world of the poor and those in need of educational access, gender inequality, environmental degradation, health care access, and so on, so that you can devise practical and sustainable solutions.
- Unlocks the Door to Global Opportunities: Both national and international development agencies, CSR sectors, human rights organizations, and UN institutions require the graduates of NGO Management to do a wide variety of work of social importance.
- Entrepreneurial Skills: The degree develops leadership, innovation, and strategic thinking aspects—perfect in case you want to create your own NGO, lead a community drive, or influence policy at the grassroots or national levels.
Who Should Study MSc NGO Management?
Listed below are some of the key points on who should pursue an MSc NGO Management. The MSc NGO Management course is a perfect option for:
- Students who are keen to bring social change and community development, or are interested in being placed in an area that will bring change directly to the lives of people, like education, health, environment, women's empowerment, and human rights.
- Social scientists or humanitarian/business graduates who desire significant careers outside the business and aim to establish leadership opportunities within NGOs, non-profits, or CSR foundations.
- Those who want to work on international development, disaster relief, or implementation of policies, as well as grassroots activism in general, and particularly international work with an organization such as UNICEF, UNDP, WHO, or international humanitarian organizations.
- Individuals who want to be social entrepreneurs or founders of their NGOs, foundations, or community programs would greatly benefit from a solid background in management, fundraising, impact measurement, and governance.
MSc NGO Management Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility criteria for admission to the Master of Science NGO Management courses are outlined below. Please note that specific requirements may vary slightly across universities and institutes:
- Candidates should possess a Bachelor's degree in any field (most preferably Social Work or BA Sociology, Political Science, Economics, Development Studies, or Humanities) granted by a recognized university.
- A minimum aggregate score of 50% is generally required in the qualifying degree. In certain universities, candidates from reserved categories (SC/ST/OBC) may receive a relaxation of 5% in the minimum marks.
- Some colleges also accept experience certificates
- Undergraduate students in the final year, awaiting results, can also apply for the course.
MSc NGO Management Colleges in India
Provided below is the list of some of the Top Master of Science NGO Management Colleges in India. Students must meet the eligibility criteria to apply to these institutions.
MSc NGO Management Admission Process 2025
The M.Sc. NGO Management program at Global Open University, Nagaland, is offered via direct admission, typically on a first-come, merit-based basis without entrance tests. Below is the step-by-step admission process:
Step 1: Visit the official website of Global Open University, Nagaland, and navigate to the “Admissions” or “Apply Online” section. Download the application form or access the online application portal.
Step 2: Fill in all required personal, academic, and contact details carefully.
Step 3: Upload or attach scanned copies of all required documents (as listed below). You can submit the form online or send it via post to the university along with the application fee and relevant documents.
Step 4: The admission is merit-based, and the university evaluates candidates based on undergraduate marks. No entrance exam is required.
Step 5: Once the application is verified and accepted, you will receive a provisional admission letter or confirmation via email/post.
Step 6: Pay the first-year tuition fee (INR 18,000) and other applicable charges before the due date to confirm your admission. After payment, the university will issue the admission confirmation, study materials (if distance mode), and schedule details for academic sessions.
Required Documents
- 10th and 12th Mark Sheets
- Graduation Mark Sheets and Degree Certificate
- Transfer Certificate (if available)
- Character Certificate
- Valid Government ID Proof (Aadhaar Card, Voter ID, etc.)
- Recent Passport-sized Photographs
- Caste/Category Certificate (if applicable)
- Migration Certificate (if applicable)
MSc NGO Management Syllabus
M.Sc. NGO Management is a two-year (four-semester) postgraduate program aimed at providing students with theoretical and practical skills in the running, managing, and evaluating of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs). Its curriculum is concerned with NGO management, finance research, planning and development, human rights, and social advocacy. Here is the syllabus of the course at Global Open University, Nagaland.
MSc NGO Management—Job Opportunities in India
After completing the MSc NGO Management program, students can pursue various Job Profiles. Given below are some of the job roles that the candidates can pursue after completing the course.
MSc NGO Management Vs MA Scoial Work
M.Sc NGO Management emphasizes more on the administration and advocacy of nonprofit organisations and social projects, whereas MA Social Work emphasizes practice and direct practice with individuals and communities through social work, which normally involves the licensure of a social worker.
MSc NGO Management FAQs
Would students with concentrations that are not social sciences succeed in the MSc NGO Management?
Yes. The course is an interdisciplinary program, and graduates of all streams, Arts, Science, Commerce, and Management are welcome, provided they have a deep interest in social change and service to society. The theoretical base of the curriculum is aimed at giving a rudimentary knowledge of development theory, management, policy-making, and fieldwork, thus becoming usable even by people who have no knowledge of sociology or social work. People who graduated in Engineering, Business, Law, or even Natural Sciences have successfully entered the NGO sector with the help of this program.
Does the course offer a field exposure as well as a real-world experience?
Absolutely. The learning model Experiential represents one of the most powerful features of the MSc NGO Management program. The students also do internships, live rural field postings, baseline surveys, needs assessments, social audits, CSR projects evaluations, and impact assessments. These activities are usually carried out in coordination with grassroots organizations, donor agencies, CSR departments, or government programs such as NRLM, NULM, or SBM. The last semester can consist of a dissertation or a project report that is supposed to be a real-life problem addressed in the field.
Can I opt for a government job in the academic domain after completing this course?
Yes. NGO management professionals are taken on in many of the development programs in the public sector. Post-graduates in NGO/Development Management can work in positions in the State Rural Livelihood Missions (SRLMs), National Health Mission (NHM), Panchayati Raj, Women and Child Welfare departments, or District Planning Boards. Also, the graduates will be able to appear for UGC-NET (in Social Work, Sociology, or Public Administration) to become a faculty member and researcher.
What are the prospects for higher studies after the MSc NGO Management course?
Graduates can do M.Phil. or Ph.D. in Development Studies, Rural Management, Social Work, Public Policy, or Human Rights. Others also gain overseas experience and pursue Master's or Doctoral degrees in International Development, Global Studies, or Non-Profit Leadership at institutions in the UK, USA, Germany, or Canada. Other people obtain professional short-term courses in Project Management, CSR Reporting, Fundraising, Data analytics of NGOs, or Social Impact Assessment to have a better profile.
What is the salary of NGO Management in India?
The salary majorly depends on the location the candidates are working, industry, skills, and other factors. The NGO Management salary for the entry-level roles can be in between INR 3 to 6 LPA. However, the salary for the mid-level roles can be increased to INR 6 to 12 LPA.
What is the role of technology in the course of the NGO's operations?
The curriculum can frequently include technology in NGO operations, such as social media organizing, data visualization apps such as Power BI or Tableau, cell phone-based survey apps, such as KoboToolbox, GIS to map interventions, and donor relationship management software (CRM). This is training the students to become leaders in this age and era of transparency and reach through technology in the nonprofit sector.
