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MASTER OF SCIENCE IN
NONPROFIT LEADERSHIP
Lead visionary organizations working to make meaningful change every day.
The Master of Science in Nonprofit Leadership (NPL) Program prepares nonprofit leaders and social entrepreneurs to guide organizations tackling some of the world’s most complex social challenges. Learn to create social impact through thoughtful, inventive, and meaningful work in nonprofits, charitable foundations, international NGOs, and more. This program is ideal for existing nonprofit professionals, those looking to launch their careers, or career changers from other sectors.
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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 four semesters 2.5 CUs each semester 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 (1) course unit per semester and the maximum is two and a half (2.5) 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 CUs.
Spring Semester
- 1 NPLD core CU; and
- 1 NPLD electives CU; or
- 1 Penn elective CU for a total of 2 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 four semesters (taking 2.5 CUs each semester) 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 (1) course unit per semester and the maximum is two and a half (2.5) 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 CUs.
Spring Semester
- 1 NPLD core CU; and
- 1 NPLD electives CU; or
- 1 Penn elective CU for a total of 2 CUs.
2nd Summer
Option to take courses during summer session.
Year Three
Fall Semester
Other NPLD CUs not taken or Penn elective CUs.
Certificate Options
Dual Degree Options
Dual degree options are only available to students enrolled in the on-campus program.
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?
FEATURED ALUMNI
Rico Pasamba III, MS‘20
“The NPL Program has given me the knowledge to make informed and impactful decisions, the confidence to lead teams, and a group of lifelong friends and classmates who serve as an awesome support system.”
The Master of Science in Nonprofit Leadership (NPL) Program is offered by the University of Pennsylvania, an institution of higher education authorized to confer degrees and certificates conferring academic credit under applicable laws of the United States. Students who are interested in participating in the program from countries other than the United States are advised that each jurisdiction may have its own laws and regulations governing online educational programs, and some jurisdictions may not recognize course credit or an online degree awarded by the University as satisfying local requirements for professional licensure, employment qualification, or other purposes. Before enrolling in this program, prospective students should investigate their jurisdiction’s treatment of foreign online programs to ensure that participation in this program will meet their objectives.
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