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  Most nonprofit workers will tell you that you do not need an advanced degree to succeed in a nonprofit career, and I generally agree. For the kinds of entry-level positions in which recent college grads are usually placed, a Master's degree is not required. But if you want to move up in the nonprofit field quickly and earn a higher salary, I suggest you explore going back to school for a Master's degree. Here is a comprehensive list of nonprofit-related graduate degree programs in the US.
  
  For young nonprofit professionals in particular, a lack of extensive work experience can keep you from obtaining positions of leadership in the nonprofit field. Organizations that are concerned that you haven't "paid your dues" may in fact respect your advanced education enough to offer you an upper management position. While you may not learn everything through a graduate degree program, the prestige affords you the kind of legitimacy that as a nonprofit professional it would normally take years to attain.
  
  You may be concerned with the cost of education, for good reason. But I would encourage you to think about your earning potential over the long-term. If you start out low, it will certainly take longer to increase your salary than if you can start a little higher because of your advanced education.
  
  

  by Rosetta Thurman, Young Professionals See more answers by Rosetta »