I believe that one of the big reasons that previous master’s degree experiments have failed is the failure to differentiate from traditional management degrees. A few courses on association-specific law or accounting wasn’t enough for me to pursue the M.A.M. program at GW many years ago. But a truly interdisciplinary degree with a focus on leadership rather than management will have traction with professionals who are trying to make sense of the world in a new way as well as secure a credential that demonstrates the depth and breadth of their knowledge. The EMSAL degree would offer learners the chance to specialize while also developing a broader understanding of the context in which all organizations exist.

I also would not discount the attraction of the kind of degree program I propose to an international audience. Many nations around the world are trying to build an infrastructure of civil society that includes associations. The EMSAL should be of interest both to emerging association professionals in other countries as well as globally-minded association executives in the United States. The monthly cohort format I propose should make it possible for students around the world to participate.

So while the traditional economic perspective you suggest may not favor us, I believe that other forces are shaping the landscape in ways that make the kind of degree for which I advocate possible. And since the underpinnings of traditional economics are themselves under active reconsideration today, I urge you to remain open to the possibility that the “realities” you describe may not be as much of a guarantee as you think.

There have been numerous efforts at this “association masters” concept and they’ve all failed. Why? Because as much as we may think our field is big and important, it isn’t in the big scheme of things. Membership organizations only represent 7% of all 501c organizations and only 2% of all revenues generated by 501c organizations.

So, guess where the Deans focus their attention? The C3s, of course. And, frankly, most potential grad students do not want to be pigeonholed with such a specialized degree — they want a degree that’s useable in more than one tiny market.

The graduate programs that HAVE succeeded are those that appeal to ALL nonprofits, primarily donor-based groups/execs, where associations are one of many “sub-specialties” in the curriculum (e.g., donor-based, government, associations, etc.)

Yes, yes, I’ll be accused of “that’s the past history; we need to try again, etc., etc.” Economic realities guarantee you’ll be spinning your wheels.