Program Overview

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Nonprofit Leadership and Management, MNLM

The Master of Nonprofit Leadership and Management program is a two-year program designed for individuals seeking senior leadership and management roles in the nonprofit sector. Students gain a specialized understanding of the unique characteristics of nonprofit organizations and the social sector. They explore both theoretical frameworks and practical applications of leadership and management in nonprofit settings. This program allows students to earn recognition comparable to those with graduate degrees in business administration while specializing their skill set for the public good.

Program Description

• The program is offered by the Watts College of Public Service & Community Solutions.
• It is available in Downtown Phoenix or online.
• The program is not eligible for the STEM-OPT extension.

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.
• The program is offered as an accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree with:
  • Nonprofit Leadership and Management, BS
  • Nonprofit Leadership and Management (American Indian Studies), BS

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)

Admission Requirements

• General university admission requirements
• 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
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program, or applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program
• All applicants must submit:
  • Graduate admission application and application fee
  • Official transcripts
  • Curriculum vitae or resume
  • Statement of educational and career goals
  • Three reference letters
  • Proof of English proficiency

Tuition Information

• Students can learn about ASU tuition and financial aid options to find out which will work best for them

Attend Online

• ASU offers this program in an online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year

Application Deadlines

• Fall:
  • Session A/C: In Person, July 26 (Final)
  • Session A/C: Online, July 26 (Final)
  • Session B: Online, (Final)
• Spring:
  • Session A/C: In Person, December 16 (Final)
  • Session A/C: Online, December 16 (Final)
  • Session B: Online, (Final)
• Summer:
  • Session A/C: In Person, April 27 (Final)
  • Session A/C: Online, April 27 (Final)

Program Learning Outcomes

• 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

• Chief administrative officer
• Chief executive officer
• Chief financial officer
• Foundation officer

Additional Information

• The program is ranked No. 5 for best graduate nonprofit management by U.S. News & World Report, 2024
• Graduates of this program have built expertise in nonprofit leadership and management
• The program allows students to earn recognition comparable to those with graduate degrees in business administration while specializing their skill set for the public good
• The program is designed for individuals seeking senior leadership and management roles in the nonprofit sector
• The program is available in Downtown Phoenix or online
• The program is not eligible for the STEM-OPT extension
• The program has a culminating experience that requires students to complete a capstone course (NLM 620) in their final semester
• The program has a variety of elective courses that allow students to specialize in areas such as fundraising, social entrepreneurship, and international non-governmental organizations
• The program has a strong focus on leadership and management in the nonprofit sector, with courses such as NLM 560 Leadership and Ethics in the Nonprofit Sector and NLM 610 Executive Leadership and Governance
• The program is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the nonprofit sector and the skills necessary to succeed in senior leadership and management roles.