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Nonprofit Leadership and Management, MNLM

Nonprofit Leadership and Management, MNLM

Academic programs / Graduate degrees / Nonprofit Leadership and Management, MNLM

Charity, Community, Non-Profit, Nonprofit Studies, Philanthropy, government, leadership, resources

Ready to advance your career in the nonprofit sector? Learn from experienced faculty and peers in a program designed for working professionals who want to expand their expertise and lead mission-driven organizations with impact and integrity.

Program description
Degree awarded: MNLM  Nonprofit Leadership and Management

The Master of Nonprofit Leadership and Management program prepares you for senior leadership and management roles across the nonprofit sector. You gain a comprehensive understanding of the social sector and the distinctive characteristics of nonprofit organizations.

You examine both theoretical and applied aspects of leadership and management, developing expertise in governance, strategy and resource development. Coursework emphasizes financial management, ethical leadership and organizational sustainability through real-world applications.

The program offers management education comparable in scope to a business administration degree while maintaining a focus on the public good and mission-driven leadership.

At a glance
  • STEM-OPT extension eligible: No

Accelerated program options

This program allows students to obtain both a bachelor's and a master's degree in as little as five years. Accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree programs are designed for high-achieving students who want the opportunity to share undergraduate coursework with graduate coursework to accelerate completion of their master's degree. These programs feature the same high quality curriculum taught by ASU's world-renowned faculty.

This program is offered as an accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree with:

Learn more about this program
Undergraduate advisor
Melissa Bryant
602-496-0264
Melissa.Bryant@asu.edu
General contact
602-496-0183
Learn more about this program
Undergraduate advisor
Melissa Bryant
602-496-0264
Melissa.Bryant@asu.edu
General contact
602-496-0182
Learn more about this program
General contact
602-496-0450

Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.

Degree requirements

33 credit hours including the required capstone course (NLM 620)

Required Core (15 credit hours)
NLM 510 The Nonprofit Sector (3)
NLM 520 Financial and Resource Management (3)
NLM 530 Program Evaluation and Information Management (3)
NLM 540 Strategic Human Resources Management (3) or NLM 545 Volunteer Resource Management (3)
NLM 550 Philanthropy (3)

Electives (15 credit hours)
NLM 515 Nonprofit Organizational Behavior and Principles of Management (3)
NLM 525 Fundraising and Resource Development (3)
NLM 540 Strategic Human Resources Management (3)
NLM 545 Volunteer Resource Management (3)
NLM 560 Leadership and Ethics in the Nonprofit Sector (3)
NLM 562 Social Entrepreneurship (3)
NLM 565 Grant Writing Nonprofit Organizations (3)
NLM 570 International Non-Governmental Organizations (3)
NLM 572 Community and Social Innovations (3)
NLM 580 Practicum (3)
NLM 585 Social Marketing (3)
NLM 605 Nonprofits, Law and Society (3)
NLM 610 Executive Leadership and Governance (3)

Culminating Experience (3 credit hours)
NLM 620 Capstone: Integrative Seminar (3)

Additional Curriculum Information
Students are required to complete 15 credit hours of core coursework and 15 credit hours of related elective coursework. Three credit hours of a capstone course are also required and must be completed in the final semester of the program. The capstone course integrates all concepts learned in the program, allowing students to synthesize material from prior coursework. Successful completion of this course is required in place of a thesis or applied project.

Admission requirements

General university admission requirements:

All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
U.S. applicants | International applicants | English proficiency

Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions.

Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in any field from a regionally accredited institution.

Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.

All applicants must submit:

  1. graduate admission application and application fee
  2. official transcripts
  3. curriculum vitae or resume
  4. statement of educational and career goals
  5. three reference letters
  6. proof of English proficiency

Additional Application Information
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency.

International applicants are required to submit TOEFL iBT® or IELTS scores and a financial guarantee statement.

The statement of educational and career goals should be written in sufficient detail to indicate compatibility with the educational objectives and capabilities of the school.

Reference letters should be from a combination of academic and professional references (letters from friends and family members are not accepted).

Students enrolled in the nonprofit leadership and management certificate program who are interested in this master's program must apply before they complete nine credit hours in the certificate program.

Tuition information
When it comes to paying for higher education, everyone’s situation is different. Students can learn about ASU tuition and financial aid options to find out which will work best for them.
Attend online
ASU Online

ASU offers this program in an online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. Applicants may view the program’s ASU Online page for program descriptions and to request more information.

Application deadlines
Session Modality Deadline Type
Session A/C In Person 07/26 Final
Session A/C Online 07/26 Final
Session B Online Final
Session Modality Deadline Type
Session A/C In Person 12/16 Final
Session A/C Online 12/16 Final
Session B Online Final
Session Modality Deadline Type
Session A/C In Person 04/27 Final
Session A/C Online 04/27 Final
Program learning outcomes

Program learning outcomes identify what a student will learn or be able to do upon completion of their program. This program’s learning outcomes include the following:

  • Evaluate the programmatic work of nonprofit organizations based on an integration of material learned throughout the degree program.
  • Evaluate the financial health of nonprofit organizations.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of critical dimensions of the nonprofit sector through discussion, readings, individual research and writing.
Career opportunities

Graduates are equipped to lead nonprofit organizations, foundations and social enterprises. Career paths include these positions:

  • chief administrative officer
  • chief executive officer
  • chief financial officer
  • foundation officer
Contact information

Program term definitions

Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.

Accelerated master's

These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).

Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.

Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.

Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.

ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.

ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.

The Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) provides a reduced tuition rate to non-resident graduate students who qualify. Visit the WRGP/WICHE webpage for more information: https://graduate.asu.edu/wiche.

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