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Each of SP2’s master’s degree programs include experiential education components that enable students to apply their learning in real-world scenarios. The Master of Science in Nonprofit Leadership program offers students a hands-on, career-focused experience through a Leadership Practicum with a host organization. The Master of Science in Social Policy program requires students to complete 150 hours of a policy-related internship.
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Interested in hosting a practicum student?
The Leadership Practicum, part of the MS in Nonprofit Leadership program, is a mutually rewarding partnership that provides organizations with bright, motivated graduate students eager to assist in completing projects. It allows our students to apply classroom principles to real-world settings, and to build important skills related to teamwork, accountability, and finding solutions to ongoing problems. Mentors at host organizations meet with students throughout the academic year to provide advice, coaching, and encouragement, playing a critical role in guiding the development of the mentee.
Practicum experiences can be 100% virtual, hybrid, or in-person. Students may identify their own mentor/placement or choose to participate in a mutual matching process the summer prior to the start of the academic year. In Academic Year 2022-2023, 55 placement organizations participated in the matching process; 36% matched with a student.
Placements
Placements are typically completed by students who are not currently working in the social impact sector and consist of:
- a commitment of 10 hours per week with a host organization
- a supervised mentoring and leadership development experience with a social impact leader
Mentorships
Mentorships are typically completed by students who are working in the social impact sector and consist of:
- 2-4 meetings per month and optional projects with a social impact leader (no hours requirement)
- a partnership with the goal of learning about leadership, management, and operations of the organization and providing students exposure to the organization at every level
Practicum Timeline 2023-2024
April 3: Confirmation of participation and updated mentor/organization information is due.
June 13, 11:00am-1:00pm: Students and mentors will participate in a virtual networking event.
June 20: Students will share their resumes with mentors/organizations of interest.
June 27: Partners will review resumes and invite a minimum of five students to interview virtually with their organization.
July 11 & 13: NPL Interview Days
July 21: Partners will submit their preferences. Students will revise preferences as desired.
August 1: Matching Day
End of August (TBD): Practicum
orientation is required for students and mentors.
August 29: Classes begin.
September 5: Practicum begins.
If you are interested in hosting a practicum student, please contact Sue Perls, MSEd, On-Campus Coordinator, MS in Nonprofit Leadership Program, at sueperls@upenn.edu.
Interested in hosting a policy internship?
Students in the MS in Social Policy program must complete 150 hours of a policy-related internship, typically done after coursework is complete. The policy internship is intended to provide students with real-world experiences applying their classroom learning and research skills in activities such as policy analysis, data analysis for social policy, policy research, policymaking, advocacy, policy implementation, policy communications, and policy evaluation activities (to name a few). Internships may span all types of agencies and organizations, including nonprofits, research institutions, advocacy organizations, think tanks, state and local government, federal government, for-profit institutions, and private foundations.
If you are interested learning how a social policy intern may benefit your organization, please contact msspprogram@sp2.upenn.edu.
COVID-19 Info
Events
10/02
Master’s Online Information Session
These information sessions are an excellent opportunity for you to learn more about our Master of Social Work, Master of Science in Social Policy, and Master of Science in Nonprofit […]
Events
10/02
Utilizing Library Resources for Student Success
The SP2 librarian Sam Kirk will walk through a variety of topics, depending on what feels relevant to attendees. Potential topics will include the following: An overview of core library […]
News
Faculty & Research
09/26
24K Philadelphia addresses to receive survey from Philadelphia Economic Equity Project
As part of the Center for Public Service & Policy led by former Mayor of Philadelphia Michael A. Nutter at SP2, a survey from the Philadelphia Economic Equity Project (PEEP) will arrive in approximately 24,000 randomly selected city mailboxes.
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