Two students sit at a table. One points at a document that sits between them.

MASTER OF SCIENCE INNONPROFIT LEADERSHIP

Lead visionary organizations working to make meaningful change every day. 

Dr. Chao Guo speaks to a class. Students can be seen listening in the background.

World-Class Faculty

Our faculty are expert educators, researchers, and practitioners, drawing on decades of experience in areas such as philanthropy, the role and effects of new media on nonprofit organizations, ethical dilemmas that arise in nonprofits, and management and leadership challenges in social enterprises. 

On-Campus Full Time

On-Campus Full Time

Most courses meet once a week on a weekday for three hours. Other courses may be offered in one-week or weekend intensive sessions.

The minimum course load for students is one CU, and the maximum is five CUs per fall or spring semester, or two CUs in the summer semester.

A number of NPLD courses are half CUs, and two are required to meet the one CU requirement.

The program also includes a required on-campus orientation and cohort building in late August, and graduates are encouraged to participate in Commencement in May.

The following schedule is an example of how students may plan their courses.

On-Campus Part Time

On-Campus Part Time

Part time students must adhere to all program requirements on a part time basis.

Most courses meet once a week on a weekday for three hours. Other courses may be offered in one-week or weekend intensive sessions.

The minimum course load for students is one CU per semester, and the maximum to maintain part-time status is two and a half CUs per fall or spring semester, or 2 CUs in the summer semester.

Although completion is recommended within three years, students must complete the degree within five years of the date when the student first registered for the degree.

With approval from their advisor, students can complete the requirements at an accelerated pace. This typically includes taking two or more CUs over the summer. 

A number of NPLD courses are half CUs, and two are required to meet the one CU requirement.

The program also includes a required on-campus orientation and cohort building in late August, and graduates are encouraged to participate in Commencement in May.

The following schedule is an example of how students may plan their courses.

 

Online Full Time

Online Full Time

Online Part Time

Online Part Time

Part time students must adhere to all program requirements on a part time basis. 

The minimum course load for students is one CU per semester and the maximum to maintain part-time status is two and a half CUs per fall or spring semester, or 2 CUs in the summer semester.

Although completion is recommended within three years, students must complete the degree within five years of the date when the student first registered for the degree.

With approval from their advisor, students can complete the requirements at an accelerated pace. This typically includes taking two or more CUs over the summer.

Courses are a mix of live and recorded content with most live sessions meeting once a week 

A number of NPLD courses are half CUs, and two are required to meet the one CU requirement.

The program also includes a required online orientation in early August, an optional on-campus orientation and cohort building in late August, and graduates are encouraged to participate in Commencement in May.

The following schedule is an example of how students may plan their courses.

Leadership Practicum

The Leadership Practicum enhances your understanding of leadership in nonprofits and social enterprises and fosters a commitment by nonprofit leaders to cultivate the next generation of transformative leaders. You’ll witness leadership in action and benefit from individual mentoring and leadership development. 

Robin Rich

FEATURED ALUMNI

Robin Rich, NPL’08

“From the second I stepped under the leafy canopy of Locust Walk and met the folks building the Nonprofit Leadership Program, I knew Penn’s School of Social Policy & Practice was for me. The program was so unique in its focus on transformational leadership and how to help me become the very best leader I could to make change in the world. The course offerings across the entire Penn campus, coupled with the practicum in the community, were truly unparalleled.”

Related News

Chao Guo stands smiling and holding a Penn mug in the middle of a classroom where graduate students are seated.

Applications open for SP2’s full-tuition Schwartz Social Innovation Scholarship 

Penn’s School of Social Policy & Practice (SP2) is preparing to award the first Randi and Brian Schwartz Social Innovation Scholarship. The awardee will be chosen from among students who apply by the priority deadline of December 1, 2023, to the Master of Science in Nonprofit Leadership (NPL) Program with a request for financial aid and/or scholarship consideration.

Chao Guo

SP2’s Dr. Chao Guo elected president of Association for Research on Nonprofit Organizations and Voluntary Action (ARNOVA)

The national and international Association for Research on Nonprofit Organizations and Voluntary Action has announced that SP2's Dr. Chao Guo has been elected president of the organization. Dr. Guo is faculty director of SP2's MS in Nonprofit Leadership Program.

Jessie Harper headshot with blue bars on either side

Jessie Harper joins SP2 as director of inclusion education and Social Justice Scholars Program

Dr. Jessie Harper has joined SP2 as the inaugural director of inclusion education and the Social Justice Scholars Program. Dr. Harper comes to SP2 after nearly two decades at Penn’s Graduate School of Education (GSE), where she most recently served as assistant dean of faculty affairs and diversity.