Indiana U. Offers First Bachelor’s Degree in Philanthropic Studies

This fall, the nation’s first bachelor’s degree program in philanthropic studies will be offered at Indiana University.

“Philanthropy and the nonprofit sector are becoming increasingly complex,” said Patrick M. Rooney, executive director of the IU Center on Philanthropy and our Giving Institute colleague. “Those who plan to work in this field need more sophisticated education than ever before.”

Students will interact with national nonprofit leaders and learn firsthand from Center on Philanthropy experts and IU’s Philanthropic Studies faculty members, many of whom are leading philanthropy experts and researchers. The program was developed by Dwight Burlingame, associate executive director and director of academic programs at the center, and Richard Turner, former chair of the IU Philanthropic Studies faculty. Last year Burlingame was the keynote speaker at The Curtis Group’s 20th anniversary celebration.

The Center on Philanthropy pioneered the field of philanthropic studies and created the world’s first master’s and Ph.D. degrees in philanthropic studies.