DOCTORATE INNONPROFIT ADMINISTRATION

The Doctorate in Nonprofit Administration (DNPA) provides advanced education for nonprofit professionals seeking to deepen their theoretical understanding and enhance their capacity for effective leadership. The program integrates conceptual frameworks, applied research, and leadership development to enable students to translate empirical findings into effective organizational and community programs. Through its interdisciplinary curriculum, the DNPA emphasizes strategic management, program evaluation, and the application of scholarly inquiry to complex challenges in the nonprofit sector.

The program is designed to strengthen the professional competencies of nonprofit executives and senior practitioners who aspire to lead systemic and sustainable change. Graduates are prepared to address multifaceted social issues, foster organizational learning, and contribute to the advancement of the field through both practice and scholarship. Developed by the School of Social Policy & Practice, the DNPA cultivates leaders capable of making significant contributions to the governance, innovation, and ethical stewardship of nonprofit organizations operating within an increasingly complex and dynamic environment.

First Year

The program begins with an in-person immersion, during which students engage with their peers and faculty, become familiar with the campus, and commence their coursework. The first year of study provides a rigorous foundation in advanced nonprofit concepts and organizational theory, along with essential training in both quantitative and qualitative research methods.

In addition to the core theoretical and methodological courses, first-year students complete two skill-based courses—“Leading and Driving Change in Nonprofit Organizations” and “Philanthropy and Fundraising”—that emphasize applied leadership and resource development within the nonprofit context.

During the summer terms, students enroll in two additional courses (one in Summer I and one in Summer II). The proposed sequence of courses is detailed in the following section. In addition, students will participate in a biweekly seminar that provides foundational guidance in dissertation research and scholarly writing.

Fall

• On Campus Immersion
• Biweekly Dissertation Seminar
• NPLD 9001 Theory and Concepts of the Nonprofit Sector (1 CU)
• NPLD 9200 Leading and Driving Change in Nonprofit Organizations (1 CU)

Spring

• NPLD 9002 Advanced Organizational Behavior in Nonprofit Leadership (1 CU)
• NPLD 9003 Methods of Inquiry: Quantitative Research Methods (1 CU)

Summer

• Biweekly Dissertation Seminar
• NPLD 9004 Methods of Inquiry: Qualitative Research Methods (1 CU)
• NPLD 9005 Philanthropy and Fundraising  (1 CU)

Second Year

In the second year, the curriculum advances to a series of specialized, applied courses that address critical dimensions of nonprofit administration. These courses deepen students’ understanding of advanced leadership and management practices while emphasizing the importance of cultural diversity and inclusivity in organizational contexts. The coursework includes topics such as “Ethics and Legal Issues in Nonprofit Administration,” “Social Entrepreneurship and Innovation,” “Financial Management and Sustainability in Nonprofits,” “Applied Statistics,” and “Global Philanthropy and the Role of International NGOs.”

By the conclusion of the second year, students will have completed the twelve course credits required as a prerequisite for defending the dissertation proposal. During this period, and with the guidance of the program director, each student will also identify and secure a dissertation chair to support the development of their research project.

Fall

• NPLD 9006 Applied Statistics (1 CU)
• NPLD 9007 Financial Management and Sustainability in Nonprofits (1 CU)

Spring

• NPLD 9008 Principles of Leadership: Including Strategic Leadership (1 CU)
• NPLD 9009 Social Entrepreneurship and Innovation (1 CU)

Summer

• NPLD 9010 Ethics and Legal Issues in Nonprofit Administration (1 CU)
• NPLD 9011 Global Philanthropy and the Role of International NGOs (1 CU)

Third Year

In the third year, students devote their time primarily to the development and completion of their dissertations, working closely under the supervision of their dissertation chair. The dissertation represents the culminating scholarly component of the DNPA program and must be a data-driven study that contributes to advancing knowledge and practice in the field of nonprofit administration. Projects are expected to demonstrate methodological rigor, theoretical grounding, and practical relevance, with the potential for dissemination through professional or academic channels.

To support this process, students participate in a year-long, non-credit dissertation workshop that convenes monthly. This seminar provides structured guidance on research design, data analysis, and academic writing while fostering peer exchange and scholarly collaboration. It also functions as an ongoing forum for progress review, feedback, and problem-solving, helping students navigate challenges and sustain momentum toward the successful defense of their dissertations.

Fall

• NPLD 9900 DNPA Dissertation (0 CU)

Spring

• NPLD 9900 DNPA Dissertation (0 CU)

The course sequence may change but the format will not.

The Process

The DNPA dissertation is a cornerstone of the program, designed to advance scholarly understanding of the nonprofit sector. In the first year, students meet bi-weekly with a designated professor to explore potential research topics and gain a clear understanding of the dissertation process. Following this initial phase, each student is matched with a mentor who will serve as their dissertation chair.

Through close mentorship and a structured research plan, students produce an original work of scholarship that makes a meaningful contribution to the literature and knowledge base in nonprofit studies. This rigorous process engages students in in-depth inquiry and positions them as subject-matter experts in their chosen area.

The Method

Students have flexibility in selecting the research approach best suited to their questions. Options include systematic or scoping reviews, quantitative designs (such as intervention studies and surveys), qualitative studies, and program evaluations. Detailed guidelines are available in the DNPA Handbook.

The Finished Product

The completed dissertation may take the form of a traditional, multi-chapter manuscript or two publishable articles. All DNPA dissertations are published in Scholarly Commons, the University of Pennsylvania’s open-access repository, ensuring that the knowledge generated is accessible to nonprofit practitioners and scholars worldwide. While not mandatory, students are strongly encouraged to submit their work to leading academic journals focused on the nonprofit sector, further extending the impact of their research.