This program emphasizes skills that prepare you to positively influence the mission of an organization and the community it supports. By earning a master’s in nonprofit leadership and management, you can pursue a variety of high-demand roles in leadership across the nonprofit sector. This MNLM also prepares you for government positions or roles within a commercial organization that works collaboratively with nonprofits. Careers in nonprofit management can span virtually all industries, including arts and culture, education, environment, animals, healthcare, human services, foreign affairs, research and religion.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment for social and community service managers is projected to grow 8% from 2023 to 2033, which is faster than average for all occupations. Another role this program prepares you for, public relations and fundraising managers, earned a median annual wage of $130,480 in May 2023, according to the BLS.
The nonprofit leadership and management skills you’ll gain
This master's degree allows you to build well-rounded knowledge and abilities in nonprofit management and leadership. In your coursework, you’ll develop skills in many areas that support the success of nonprofit groups, such as:
- Advocacy.
- Fiscal management.
- Fundraising.
- Governance in nonprofit organizations.
- Leadership skills.
- Management of human resources.
- Nonprofit organization management.
- Program development.
- Volunteer management.
Other skills that translate directly into career paths are financial management, executive management and board governance, and program management and evaluation. Nonprofits are constantly seeking trained and experienced people with these competencies.
Who’s a good candidate for this program?
This program builds on management fundamentals while incorporating an emphasis on nonprofit organizations to help you develop specialized leadership knowledge. The ideal candidate for this program could be working in the nonprofit sector looking to advance in their role, or someone looking to enhance their nonprofit work experience. In this program, you’ll sharpen your abilities, develop new competencies and network with colleagues working throughout the nonprofit sector.
Arizona State University’s Master of Nonprofit Leadership and Management focuses on creating and advancing positive change in communities around the world. This specialized online degree equips you with the skills needed to pursue a variety of leadership positions within the nonprofit sector, such as roles in fundraising, advocacy and volunteer management.
During this program, you’ll first build knowledge in core courses that focus on subjects such as financial and resource management and the nonprofit sector. Then, you’ll choose your elective courses to build a specialized education that you’ll apply directly to your career goals.
The impressive faculty in the Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions inspire the next generation of public service leaders through real-world solutions to issues in areas such as child welfare, safety, city management, human trafficking and water scarcity. Faculty highlights include:
- Fellow of the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences.
- Fellow of the American Psychological Association.
- Member of the National Academy of Public Administration.
The Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions is a comprehensive public service college dedicated to addressing social problems through teaching, research and service. Our programs, which range from public policy and social work to criminal justice and emergency management, are designed to prepare graduates to make a difference in their communities.
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Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions.
Applicants should have a minimum of a 3.00 cumulative GPA (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of a student's first bachelor's degree program.
All applicants are required to submit:
- Graduate application and application fee.
- Official transcripts.
- Curriculum vitae or resume.
- Personal statement.
- Three reference letters with a combination of academic and professional references.
- Proof of English proficiency if English is not a native language.
Eligibility
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.
- An applicant whose native language is not English (regardless of current residency) must provide proof of English proficiency.
- One of your reference letters should be from a former faculty member. Please note, references from friends and family members are not preferred.
- Your personal statement should include sufficient detail to indicate compatibility with the educational objectives and the school.
- Personal statements typically run around two single-spaced pages long.
- If you don’t have nonprofit experience, discuss your other professional experiences and how they’ve set you up to switch into the nonprofit sector.
- Nonprofit managerial experience is not required for admission. Applicants with at least three years of nonprofit managerial experience on their resume will be reviewed by the program director at the time of admission for a possible exception to the practicum requirement.
No, Arizona State University’s diplomas don’t specify whether you earn your degree online or in person. All diplomas and transcripts simply say “Arizona State University.”