For persons who work in the nonprofit sector, a lack of financial resources is perhaps the biggest obstacle to pursing an advanced degree. This hurdle is even greater for those who work for traditionally lower paying religious organizations. For the first time, DePaul University is offering scholarships to employees of religious organizations who wish to pursue master of science degrees in the public services area.

According to the Rev. J. Patrick Murphy, C.M., director of the Public Services Graduate Program at DePaul, the ideal candidate for the scholarship is a lay person who does not have a master’s degree and cannot afford the full cost of tuition, and who is currently working for a religious organization, including parishes, churches and chaplain’s offices.

The Public Services Graduate program is designed for professionals who work in nonprofit organizations or associations, and all levels of government, whose talents would be enhanced by a more solid business foundation.

Scholarship criteria are:

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution

• Admittance to DePaul University
• Employment with a religious organization

• Demonstrated financial need

Although the exact amount of each scholarship will vary according to the student’s need, Murphy suggested that the average award should cover about one-third of the tuition cost for the entire program. The Public Services Graduate program requires 52-quarter hours of credit in 13 courses.

The scholarship fund was established by DePaul’s Vincentians a little more than 10 years ago, from savings from their earnings, and is steeped in the religious history of the university.

Murphy encourages qualified persons from all religious organizations, regardless of faith and denomination, to complete scholarship and admission applications. "Our enrollment is underrepresented when it comes to church organizations, and this is one way to change that," he said.

The program offers degrees in public services management, health law and policy and international public service management. Candidates working in the religious organizational environment who are interested in applying for the scholarships would most likely opt for the program in public services management.

According to Murphy, students are able to bring new expertise to their jobs after the first course. "People can get dead-ended in church jobs," said Murphy. "This degree opens any door in the nonprofit sector."

For more information about DePaul’s Public Services Graduate Program and to obtain applications for admission and scholarship, call the Rev.J. Patrick Murphy at 312/362-8441.