Critical thinking in nonprofit management education

Abstract

Critical thinking is needed in management education because it helps prepare students who are better able to address the complexities of managing a for-profit or nonprofit organization. While all management students benefit from critical thinking, this article emphasizes its importance for nonprofit management students, who must be knowledgeable in the business strategies of the for-profit sector as well as the management needs of the nonprofit sector and the communities they serve. The article is divided into four sections: definition of critical thinking; need for critical thinking in management education; principles of teaching critical thinking; and practical applications for a management capstone.