University-Based Nonprofit Education in China: An Overview and Assessment

Authors

  • Zhibin Zhang Nanyang Technological University
  • Chao Guo University of Pennsylvania

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18666/JNEL-2015-V5-I4-7031

Keywords:

nonprofit education, nonprofit research, nonprofit courses, Chinese universities, Chinese nonprofit sector

Abstract

What are the extent, nature, and state of nonprofit education in Chinese universities? We address this question with the aim of providing the first overview and assessment of the university-based education programs in nonprofit management and philanthropic studies in China. Based on a 2012 survey among nonprofit faculty in the top 100 Chinese universities in humanities and social sciences, we found nonprofit courses were offered at about two thirds of top Chinese universities, the curriculum was practice oriented with a heavy emphasis on nonprofit management, and more than 80% of the nonprofit education programs were placed in the professional school of public administration or public policy. Our findings indicate that nonprofit education in China is clearly intended to nurture professionals for the Chinese nonprofit sector, but its coverage, course design, and related research quality still have significant limitations. We further discuss the symptoms and implications of the limitations in China's nonprofit education and attribute some of the limitations to the strict regulation the Chinese government has imposed on the nonprofit sector. 

Published

2015-10-15

Issue

Section

Articles