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MASTER OF SCIENCE INNONPROFIT 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 or executive-level leader
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 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 at least four NPLD core CUs and up to two Penn elective courses. Alternatively, you may lower your Fall and/or Spring courseload and take up to 2 CUs in the Summer semester. Students can also take courses offered through the online program.
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.
Fall Semester
- 2 NPLD core CUs; and
- 1 or 2 NPLD electives CUs; and
- 1 Penn elective CU for a total of 4 or 5 CUs.
Spring Semester
- 2 NPLD core CUs; and
- 1 or 2 NPLD elective CUs; and
- 1 Penn elective CU for a total of 4 or 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 NPL Program, most students take two course units (CUs) each semester for five semesters for a total of 10 CUs over 2.5 academic years, in addition to completing a mentorship with a nonprofit leader (the Leadership Practicum). Your 10 CUs will include at least four NPLD core CUs and up to two Penn elective courses. You can complete the program in as little as four semesters, taking two and a half CUs each semester, or as long as three academic years. Students can also take courses offered through the online program.
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.
Year One
Fall Semester
- 2 NPLD core CU for a total of 2 CUs.
Spring Semester
- 1 or 2 NPLD core CUs; and/or
- 1 NPLD elective CU for a total of 2 CUs.
1st Summer
Up to two CUs may be taken over the summer.
Year Two
Fall Semester
- 1 NPLD core CU; and
- 0.5 or 1 NPLD elective CU; and/or
- 1 Penn elective CU for a total of 2 or 2.5 CUs.
Spring Semester
- 1 NPLD core CU; and
- 0.5 or 1 NPLD electives CU; or
- 1 Penn elective CU for a total of 2 or 2.5 CUs.
2nd Summer
Up to two CUs may be taken over the summer.
Year Three
Fall Semester
Any remaining NPLD CUs not taken or Penn elective CU.
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 at least four NPLD core CUs and up to two Penn elective courses. Alternatively, you may lower your fall and/or spring courseload and take up to 2 CUs in the summer semester. Students can also take courses offered in the on-campus program.
Courses are a mix of live and recorded content with most live sessions meeting online once a week on a weekday evening Eastern Time for an hour and a half.
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.
Fall Semester
- 2 NPLD core CUs; and
- 1 or 2 NPLD electives CUs; and
- 1 Penn elective CU for a total of 4 or 5 CUs.
Spring Semester
- 2 NPLD core CUs; and
- 1 or 2 NPLD elective CUs; and
- 1 Penn elective CU for a total of 4 or 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 NPL Program, most students take two course units (CUs) each semester for five semesters for a total of 10 CUs over 2.5 academic years, in addition to completing a nonprofit leader (the Leadership Practicum). You can complete the program in as little as four semesters, taking two and a half CUs each semester, or as long as three academic years. Students can also take courses in the on-campus program.
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.
Year One
Fall Semester
- 2 NPLD core CU for a total of 2 CUs.
Spring Semester
- 1 or 2 NPLD core CUs; and/or
- 1 NPLD elective CU for a total of 2 CUs.
1st Summer
Up to two CUs may be taken over the summer.
Year Two
Fall Semester
- 1 NPLD core CU; and
- 0.5 or 1 NPLD elective CU; and/or
- 1 Penn elective CU for a total of 2 or 2.5 CUs.
Spring Semester
- 1 NPLD core CU; and
- 0.5 or 1 NPLD electives CU; and/or
- 1 Penn elective CU for a total of 2 or 2.5 CUs.
2nd Summer
Up to two CUs may be taken over the summer.
Year Three
Fall Semester
Any remaining NPLD CUs not taken or Penn elective CU.
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
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.”
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.
Related News
Faculty & Research
09/01
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.
Student Life
08/16
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.
Alumni
08/02
Alumni Q&A | Dr. Javier Garcia-Perez, MSW’17, NPL’17
SP2 postdoctoral fellow and alumnus Dr. Javier Garcia-Perez, MSW’17, NPL’17, is an interdisciplinary, intersectional, and community-centered researcher focused on improving the quality of life for the LGBTQ+ and Latinx community across the lifespan.
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