Earn an MS in Nonprofit Leadership
The world deserves better leadership. Why not start with you?
Advance your career and take charge as a leader in the nonprofit sector.
Get access to the power of an Ivy League education and a world-class network, from anywhere – with the online or on-campus Master of Science in Nonprofit Leadership (NPL) at the University of Pennsylvania School of Social Policy & Practice (SP2).
- Join a global Ivy League network.
- Learn from top researchers & experienced practitioners.
- Elevate your career through hands-on mentoring with sector leaders.
Program Overview
Full-time (10 months) or part-time (2.5 years)
Flexible online, on-campus, or hybrid modality
GRE not required
Scholarships available
Who should apply?
Nonprofit professionals preparing for leadership
Social entrepreneurs
Professionals looking to shift careers to the nonprofit sector
Build the Skills & Knowledge You Need
Choose courses that are most relevant to your career path:
- Volunteer Management
- Leadership
- Social Entrepreneurship
- Nonprofit Governance
- Philanthropy & Fundraising
- Finance
- Ethics
- Branding & Marketing
- Program Evaluation
- and more.
Important Dates
Early application deadline: December 15th (on-campus program)
Regular application deadline: January 15th (on-campus program)
Early application deadline: January 15th (online program)
Regular application deadline: February 15th (online program)
Program start: August
Maximize Your Experience
While you master nonprofit leadership, consider pursuing one of seven dual degrees or three certificate programs in health, education, social work, social policy, law, LGBTQ, or environmental studies.
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.
The SP2 NPL Difference
Flexible completion options—full-time (10 months) or part-time (2.5 years), on-campus or online—mean you can keep working while enrolled
Hands-on, career-focused experience through a Leadership Practicum with a host organization
Program can be tailored to your interests through interdisciplinary electives throughout Penn
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Small classes led by world-class faculty
A diverse global alumni network
On-Campus Full Time
The on-campus full-time NPL program encompasses 2–3 semesters of coursework and a nonprofit placement for professional development (the Leadership Practicum). You’ll take five graduate level course units (CUs) in both the fall and spring semesters for a total of 10 CUs, including four required NPLD core CUs and up to two Penn elective CUs. Students can also take courses offered through the online program.
Courses may be offered all day Friday or Saturday, over one or two entire weekends, or in one-week intensive sessions.
A number of NPLD courses are half CUs, and two are required to meet the 1 CU requirement.
Fall Semester
- 2 or 3 NPLD core CUs
- 1 or 2 NPLD electives CUs
- 1 Penn elective CU for a total of 5 CUs
Spring Semester
- 2 NPLD core CUs
- 2 NPLD elective CUs; and
- 1 Penn elective CU for a total of 5 CUs
Summer Semester
- Up to 2 CUs may be taken over the summer as part of the full-time program.
On-Campus Part Time
In the on-campus part-time Nonprofit Leadership Program, most students take two CUs each semester for five semesters for a total of 10 CUs over 2.5 academic years and a mentorship with a nonprofit leader (the Leadership Practicum). You can complete the program in as little as three semesters (taking 2-3 CUs over the summer) or as long as three academic years.
Part-time students must adhere to all program requirements on a part-time basis.
The minimum course load for students is one course unit per semester and the maximum is three course units per semester.
Although completion is recommended within three years, part-time students must complete the degree within five years from the date of acceptance into the program.
With approval from the Program Director, students can complete the requirements at an accelerated pace. This typically includes taking two or more credits over the summer.
Students enrolled in the part-time NPL Program must attend classes held during the day (typically in the afternoon) and/or evenings. Some courses are offered all day Friday and Saturday, over an entire weekend or two, or in one-week intensives.
A number of NPLD courses are half CUs, and two are required to meet the 1 CU requirement.
Year One
Fall Semester
- 2 NPLD core CUs.
Spring Semester
- 1 or 2 NPLD core CUs and/or 1 NPLD elective CU.
1st Summer
Option to take courses during summer session.
Year Two
Fall Semester
- 1 NPLD core CU; and
- 1 NPLD elective CU; and/or
- 1 Penn elective CU for a total of 2 to 3 CUs.
Spring Semester
- 1 NPLD core CU; and
- 1 NPLD electives CU; or
- 1 Penn elective CU for a total of 2 to three 3 CUs.
2nd Summer
Option to take courses during summer session.
Year Three
Fall Semester
Other NPLD CUs not taken or Penn elective CUs.
Online Full Time
The online full-time NPL program encompasses two to three semesters of coursework and a nonprofit placement for professional development (the Leadership Practicum). You’ll take five graduate level course units (CUs) in both the fall and spring semesters for a total of 10 CUs, including four required NPLD core CUs and up to two Penn elective CUs. Students can also take courses offered in the on-campus program. The program includes an optional on-campus orientation and cohort building in August, and graduates are encouraged to participate in Commencement in May.
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 1 CU requirement.
Fall Semester
- 2 or 3 NPLD core CUs
- 1 or 2 NPLD electives CUs
- 1 Penn elective CU for a total of 5 CUs
Spring Semester
- 2 NPLD core CUs
- 2 NPLD elective CUs; and
- 1 Penn elective CU for a total of 5 CUs
Summer Semester
- Up to 2 CUs may be taken over the summer as part of the full-time program.
Online Part Time
In the online part-time Nonprofit Leadership Program, most students take two CUs each semester for five semesters for a total of 10 CUs over 2.5 academic years and a mentorship with a nonprofit leader (the Leadership Practicum). You can complete the program in as little as three semesters (taking 2-3 CUs over the summer) or as long as three academic years. Students can also take courses offerings in the on-campus program. The program also includes an optional on-campus orientation and cohort building in August, and graduates are encouraged to participate in Commencement in May.
Part-time students must adhere to all program requirements on a part-time basis.
The minimum course load for students is one course unit per semester and the maximum is three course units per semester.
Although completion is recommended within three years, part-time students must complete the degree within five years from the date of acceptance into the program.
With approval from the Program Director, students can complete the requirements at an accelerated pace. This typically includes taking two or more credits 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 1 CU requirement.
Year One
Fall Semester
- 2 NPLD core CUs.
Spring Semester
- 1 or 2 NPLD core CUs and/or 1 NPLD elective CU.
1st Summer
Option to take courses during summer session.
Year Two
Fall Semester
- 1 NPLD core CU; and
- 1 NPLD elective CU; and/or
- 1 Penn elective CU for a total of 2 to 3 CUs.
Spring Semester
- 1 NPLD core CU; and
- 1 NPLD electives CU; or
- 1 Penn elective CU for a total of 2 to three 3 CUs.
2nd Summer
Option to take courses during summer session.
Year Three
Fall Semester
Other NPLD CUs not taken or Penn elective CUs.
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.
Ready to join the NPL community?
Learn More & Get Updates
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