MSSP/Master of Science in Nonprofit Leadership (MSSP/NPL) Program
The Master of Science in Social Policy/Master of Science in Nonprofit Leadership (MSSP/NPL) dual degree program combines the efforts of social policy and nonprofit leadership to support students passionate about social policy, practice, and impact through government entities, nonprofits, and social enterprises. The MSSP/NPL builds on a practical and theoretical foundation to prepare students to:
- Start and lead nonprofit organizations in the local, national, and global social impact spheres.
- Use policy research, evaluation, and analysis to increase equity, promote justice, and forge social change.
The MSSP/NPL dual degree program allows students to earn both degrees by completing a total of 15 courses (CUs). This is done by cross-counting up to five courses between the MSSP and NPL degrees. Completed individually, the MSSP requires 10 credits and the NPL requires 10 credits.
Students can count up to two MSSP courses as NPL outside electives and up to three NPL courses as MSSP credits. Full-time dual degree students can complete the MSSP/NPL program in three semesters, usually by studying during summer semesters. Part-time dual degree students can complete the MSSP/NPL program in up to eight semesters. There is flexibility in both full- and part-time scheduling. The Administrative Directors of the NPL and MSSP programs will collaborate to review course choices and create an individual academic plan for dual degree students.
Application Information
Students apply to the NPL and the MSSP simultaneously fulfilling the application requirements for each degree program and indicating an interest in the MSSP/NPL. Upon acceptance into the MSSP and NPL programs, the applicant will be admitted to the dual degree program. Students may use the same letters of recommendation providing the referees address the dual degree interests.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Students pay tuition to SP2 throughout their program. Both programs offer limited tuition scholarship support for meritorious students and accounts for financial need. SP2 makes funding decisions based solely on the information in the application for admission. Students are notified on funding decisions at the point of admission. Awards will be applied in consideration of the dual degree.
MSSP-NPL Practicum
The MSSP program includes a policy practicum that provides students with the opportunity to apply their policy analysis skills and gain meaningful professional experience. Students complete 250 hours of practicum throughout the academic year, with the timing generally flexible based on the student’s placement and academic schedule. The practicum is structured around each student’s individual interests, career goals, and prior social policy experience. Practicum placements may take place anywhere in the United States or internationally, depending on what best supports the student’s learning objectives. The practicum must be policy related. MSSP students pursuing the NPL degree can often count their MSSP practicum hours toward the NPL practicum requirement as well, provided that the work overlaps with the NPL degree requirements.
The NPL program includes a leadership practicum that is an integral part of the experiential learning for all NPL students, which builds upon core competencies and principles of leadership developed in the classroom. It consists of:
- a supervised mentoring and leadership development experience
- a partnership with the goal of learning about the organization and providing student support on various levels that can include strategic planning, succession planning, branding or marketing, development and philanthropy, or other targeted projects; and
For the dual degree, the MSSP internship can count for the leadership practicum as long as it meets the minimum practicum requirement of 180 hours and includes mentoring by an executive director or senior level leader at an appropriate organization.
Proposed Course of Study
| Course | MSSP | NPL | Semester | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | MSSP 6280 | 1 | 1 | Fall I | Fulfills NPL outside elective |
| 2 | MSSP 6680 | 1 | – | Fall I | |
| 3 | MSSP 6300 | 1 | – | Fall I | |
| 4 | MSSP 6290 | 1 | – | Fall I | |
| 5 | MSSP Theory Elective | 1 | 1 | Fall I | Fulfills NPL outside elective |
| 6 | NPLD 7620 or NPLD 5970 NPL Core 1 | 1 | 1 | Spring I or Summer I | Fulfills MSSP 6310 |
| 6.5 | MSSP 6320 | 0.5 | – | Spring I | |
| 7.5 | MSSP 8970 | 1 | – | Spring I | |
| 8.5 | NPL Core 2 | 1 | 1 | Spring I | Fulfills MSSP outside elective |
| 9.5 | NPL Core 3 | 1 | 1 | Spring I | Fulfills MSSP outside elective |
| 10.5 | NPL Elective 1 | – | 1 | Summer I | |
| 11.5 | NPL Core 4 | – | 1 | Fall II | |
| 12.5 | NPL Elective 2 | – | 1 | Fall II | |
| 13.5 | NPL Elective 3 | – | 1 | Fall II | |
| 14.5 | NPL Elective 4 | – | 1 | Fall II | |
| 15 | MSSP 6330 | 0.5 | – | Fall II | |
| 10 | 10 |
