Azim Premji University Courses

Build the skills to lead in the social sector. A one-year, full-time Executive MBA at Azim Premji University with 12 core courses in finance, people, data and development, plus electives and a 10-week field internship.

Executive MBA in Development Management at Azim Premji University

The Executive MBA in Development Management (EMBA DM) at Azim Premji University is built for people who want to lead in the social sector. It takes the best ideas from management and adapts them for NGOs, foundations, CSR teams and other social sector organisations. Every course is grounded in equity, dignity, justice and sustainability. Along with classroom learning, you spend time in the field with communities and organisations, so what you learn stays connected to real work.

The programme at a glance

  • Duration: 1 year, full-time, in person
  • Core courses: 12
  • Elective courses: 3
  • Total credits: 40
  • Field engagement: 10 weeks
  • Campus: [Bengaluru / Bhopal]

 

Core courses

1. Organisation Structure and Design in the Social Sector

Management principles, frameworks and tools Learn how an organisation is built, and how its structure, roles and culture help it reach its goals.  

2. Fundamentals of Financial Management

Management principles, frameworks and tools Learn to plan, organise and track an organisation's money so it can do its work well.  

3. Project Planning and Implementation

Management principles, frameworks and tools Learn to run projects smoothly, keeping tasks on track while making sure the project meets its goals.

4. People Management in Social Sector Organisations

Management principles, frameworks and tools Learn to build workplaces where people feel supported and teams work well together.

5. Stakeholders and Relationship Management

Management principles, frameworks and tools Learn to build and manage strong relationships with the people and groups your organisation works with.

6. Understanding Data for Organisational Decisions

General competencies Learn to find the right data and judge whether it is good enough to base decisions on.

7. Storytelling through Data

General competencies Learn to turn data into clear, convincing stories that help people make decisions.

8. Professional Skills for Development Managers

General competencies Sharpen your communication and fundraising skills so you are ready for management roles.

9. Monitoring and Evaluation

General competencies Learn to measure the impact of a programme when many people and groups are involved.

10. Development Challenges in the Indian Context

Development perspectives and approaches Understand how India has developed over time and the big challenges it faces today.

11. Understanding State Institutions and Governance

Development perspectives and approaches Learn how government works, and how your organisation can work alongside public policy and state institutions.

12. Approaches to Development Interventions and Action

Development perspectives and approaches Look closely at different ways of solving development problems, and learn to design your own solutions.

 

Elective courses

In the fourth term, you choose three electives of two credits each. The options may include:

- Technology for Development

How technology can support social change.  

- Contemporary Development Debates

The big questions and disagreements shaping the sector today.  

- Organizational Strategy in Complex Environments

How to plan ahead when the situation keeps changing.  

- Marketing for Social Sector Organisations

How to reach supporters, donors and communities with your message.  

- Social Entrepreneurship

How to build ventures that solve social problems.  

- Corporate Social Responsibility

How companies fund and run social programmes, and how to work with them.  

- Economics of Sustainability

The economics behind protecting people and the planet.  

- Advanced Financial Management

Deeper skills in managing an organisation's finances.  

The list of electives may change from year to year.  

 

Field experience

Field Immersion (2 weeks)

Spend time with communities and local institutions to understand the real lives and settings where social sector organisations work.

Field Internship (8 weeks)

Work inside a social sector organisation and deliver a full project in one area of management, from start to finish.  

 

Who studies here

The current batch brings together experienced professionals from across the social sector.

  • Participants: 27
  • Average work experience: 7 years
  • Worked across more than one area: 85%

They come from education, livelihoods, CSR, research and MEL, wildlife and environment, water and natural resources, health, fundraising and communications, HR and training, law and human rights, finance and agriculture.  

 

Skills you will build

Financial and data management

Budgeting and financial statements, internal controls for social sector organisations, data analysis and visualisation, and designing monitoring and evaluation systems.  

Organisational management

Organisation design, structure and culture, project planning and implementation, governance and legal compliance, and operations management.  

Professional practitioner skills

Writing fundraising proposals, telling stories with data, documentation and reporting, and working with CSR and compliance frameworks.  

People and relationship management

Team leadership and HR processes, stakeholder mapping and engagement, communicating with communities, and handling conflict in teams.  

Development expertise

India's development challenges, state institutions and governance, designing interventions and strategy, and understanding how the social sector works as a whole.  

Roles this prepares you for

  • Programme Manager
  • Monitoring and Evaluation (MEL) Manager
  • Fundraising Manager
  • Partnerships Manager
  • CSR Manager
  • HR / People Manager
  • Development Consultant

Get in touch

For more details about the programme, reach out to the Azim Premji University Placement Team.

Sudha Hariharan Placement Team, Azim Premji University