Program Overview

Nonprofit Leadership and Management, BS

The Bachelor of Science program in nonprofit leadership and management explores the nonprofit sector through a blend of classroom instruction and field experience, preparing students for various possible career challenges. Students gain valuable experience through a required internship, opening doors to professional opportunities in the nonprofit arena. They have the option to pursue the National Certified Nonprofit Professional credential, enhancing their qualifications through partnership with the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance.

Program Description

This program is accredited by the Nonprofit Academic Centers Council, ensuring a high-quality education that meets industry standards.

At a Glance

• College/school: Watts College of Public Service & Community Solutions
• Location: Downtown Phoenix or Online, ASU Local
• Second language requirement: No
• STEM-OPT extension eligible: No
• First required math course: MAT 114 - College Mathematics
• Math intensity: General

Curriculum

View 2025 - 2026 curriculum. View curriculum archives.

Concurrent Program Options

Students pursuing concurrent degrees (also known as a “double major”) earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. Working with their academic advisors, students can create their own concurrent degree combination. Some combinations are not possible due to high levels of overlap in curriculum.

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.

Admission Requirements

• General university admission requirements: All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.

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.

Change of Major Requirements

A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00 is required to change majors to this program.

Attend Online

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

Transfer Options

ASU is committed to helping students thrive by offering tools that allow personalization of the transfer path to ASU. Students may use MyPath2ASU to outline a list of recommended courses to take prior to transfer.

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:

• Incorporate multiple perspectives when proposing creative solutions to complex NLM issues.
• Demonstrate proficiency in written communications with diverse audiences (e.g., clients, interdisciplinary team members, donors, community members).
• Integrate knowledge from diverse disciplines to develop comprehensive strategies that address the complex challenges faced by nonprofit organizations.

Global Opportunities

Studying abroad can provide students with hands-on experience in nonprofit leadership through a global lens. Students gain skills to be used in their future careers through internships in nonprofits around the world.

Career Opportunities

Prominent nonprofit organizations value this program's tradition of excellence and actively seek to hire its graduates. The nonprofit sector in the United States is distinct in form and function. This sector includes institutions and individuals situated between government, public, business, and commerce sectors. With more than 1.6 million organizations in the U.S., the sector employs more people than the finance, insurance, and real estate industries combined.

• Depending on their interests, graduates seek work in diverse settings that include a wide variety of missions, including arts and culture, environmental, health, and youth development.
• Some graduates find employment with local, grassroots, and direct-service nonprofits, while others find opportunities with grant-making foundations.
• Many work in affiliates of well-known national organizations such as:
  • American Red Cross
  • America's Second Harvest
  • Humane Society of the United States
  • March of Dimes
  • National Urban League
  • United Way
  • Youth-serving entities such as Big Brothers Big Sisters, Boys and Girls Clubs, Boy Scouts of America, Girl Scouts of the USA, Camp Fire USA, and the YMCA of the USA

Typical Positions

• Field executive
• Fund development director
• Program director
• Program officer for grant-making organization
• Volunteer program manager

Example Job Titles and Salaries

• Career | Growth | Median salary
  • Advocate | 6.4% | $45,120
  • CEO | 4.3% | $206,420
  • Community Specialist | 4.6% | $54,940
  • Compliance Manager | 4.5% | $136,550
  • General Manager (GM) | 4.4% | $102,950
  • Public Relations Manager (PR Manager) | 5.0% | $138,520
  • Regulatory Affairs Manager | 4.5% | $136,550
  • Social Services Director | 6.4% | $78,240