Master of Arts in Nonprofit Leadership and Management
Online Application:
-
The University of San Diego Graduate School Admission Application and $45 application fee
- Upload the following to submit your online application
- Statement of Purpose
- Resume
- Recommenders’ Contact Information
- Upload the following to submit your online application
Transcripts:
An official transcript from the university where you earned your bachelor’s degree is required at the time of application.
Note:
- Official E-Transcripts are acceptable only if emailed to grads@sandiego.edu.
- Transcripts from study abroad courses and transfer credits are not required.
Degrees Earned Outside of the United States:
- Students who earned their bachelor’s degree from an institution outside the United States must submit a course-by-course degree evaluation must submit a course-by-course degree evaluation at the time of application. Applicants can elect from:
- Applications for students educated outside the United States will not be considered complete nor can an admissions decision be made until this degree evaluation has been submitted.
Letters of Recommendation:
- A minimum of two professional letters of recommendation from current or previous supervisors, board chairs or board members, or past professors or academic advisors (who know you well).
Resumé:
- Current resumé or curriculum vitae
Statement of Purpose:
- A 500-word maximum statement of purpose answering the question: What do you believe are the greatest challenges facing the nonprofit sector (either locally or nationally) and how will what you learn in this program help you effectuate change in those areas?
English Proficiency Exam (EPEX) Score for International Applicants:
EPEX Requirement
An official score report for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is required of all international applicants. Official score reports must be two years old or less from the time you submit your online application in order to be considered.
Official scores can be sent to the Office of Graduate Admissions, grads@sandiego.edu, school code: 4849.
- TOEFL minimum scores:
- Internet-based test: 83
- Computer-based test: 237
- Paper-based test: 580
- IELTS minimum score:
- Band score 7
Waiving out of the English Language exam requirement: The English Language Exam waiver may be requested if you:
- Have submitted your online application and
- You meet one of the following:
- English is your primary language
- You completed a 4-year bachelor's degree or 2-year master's degree, and obtained (or in the process of obtaining) a bachelor’s or master's degree in the U.S. with a minimum 3.0 GPA.
- Or from a university outside of the U.S. that is regionally accredited.
- You obtained your bachelor's degree in Great Britain, Canada, or Australia with an equivalent minimum 3.0 GPA.
Be sure to promptly order official transcripts or official transcript evaluations, as they are also required to determine waiver eligibility.
If you believe you are eligible for an EPEX waiver, please email the SOLES Admissions and Outreach Office at solesadmissions@sandiego.
Experience Requirements
The program has a preference for applicants with at least four years of professional work experience.
Interview Requirements:
After an initial review of applications to the program, the most qualified candidates will be invited to USD for an interview with the program faculty. Applicants who live outside California will have the option of participating in a phone or Skype interview.
Students entering the University of San Diego and/or declaring a major during 2022-23, should follow information contained in the printed course catalog (also known as the "catalog of record") published on April 1, 2022. Access the catalog of record at https://catalogs.sandiego.edu.
Program Requirements
Code | Title | Units |
---|---|---|
Required Core Courses | 27 | |
LEAD 500 | Research, Design and Evaluation of Nonprofit Programs | 4 |
LEAD 501 | Nonprofit Sector: Theory & Practice | 3 |
LEAD 503 | Nonprofit Finance | 3 |
LEAD 505 | Developing Human Capital | 3 |
LEAD 506 | Resource Development and Marketing | 3 |
LEAD 507 | Community Partnerships & Civic Engagement | 3 |
LEAD 510 | Board Development | 2 |
LEAD 545 | Survey of Leadership Theories | 3 |
or LEAD 550 | Integral Leadership Theory | |
LEAD 559 | Organizational Theory and Change | 3 |
Elective Courses | 9 | |
Select 9 elective units from list below | ||
Total Degree Units | 36 |
Please note: In rare instances where a student has a demonstrated competency in one of the core curriculum subjects the student may approach the program director and subsequently, the course professor, about opting out of that course. If the director and professor agree, the student may substitute elective units for those required courses. No other course substitutions will be granted.
Code | Title | Units |
---|---|---|
Electives choices | ||
LEAD 504 | Human Relations for Leaders | 1 |
LEAD 508 | Grant Making for the Greater Good | 2 |
LEAD 509 | Legal Issues, Human Resources and Risk Management | 2 |
LEAD 511 | Strategic Planning and Positioning | 2 |
LEAD 512 | Policy Advocacy Leadership | 3 |
LEAD 513 | Advocacy Skills and Strategies | 2 |
LEAD 514 | Presentation Skills | 2-3 |
LEAD 515 | Social Entrepreneurship-Innovations in Creating Social Value | 2-3 |
LEAD 517 | Capital and Endowment Campaign Planning | 2 |
LEAD 518I | Nonprofits and Civil Society in Guatemala | 2 |
LEAD 519I | Understanding Bi-National Nonprofits In The Us-Mexican Border | 2 |
LEAD 520 | Volunteer Engagement | 1 |
LEAD 525 | Leadership in the Arts and Culture Sector | 3 |
LEAD 526 | Leading Visitor-Facing Nonprofits | 3 |
LEAD 527 | Arts and Cultural Leadership Institutional Tour | 3 |
LEAD 555 | Ethical Leadership for Global Social Justice | 3 |
LEAD 597 | Portfolio Seminar | 1 |
Other electives may be added. |
The majority of the courses offered in this program will contain an applied consulting project, completed on behalf of a nonprofit organization. A student may not undertake more than 50% of his or her applied projects with a single nonprofit client.
International Requirement
At SOLES, all masters and doctoral students participate in an international experience designed to support the growth of cultural competency. Our goal is to inform best practices in working with culturally diverse populations locally, nationally and globally. International experiences are approved by each student's faculty advisor and can be credit based or non-credit based activities.
Exit Requirement
The terminal project for this degree is a portfolio of demonstrated competencies which will be evidenced by a submission of no fewer than three applied projects with accompanying supporting documents. Each portfolio will be evaluated by a nonprofit program faculty member and an external executive level nonprofit practitioner.
Deadlines
All application materials must be received by the Office of Graduate Admissions by the final deadline in order for your application to be considered for admission.
Tuition and Financial Aid
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Status and Decisions
To confirm that application materials have been received, please log into the MySanDiego portal or contact the Office of Graduate Admissions at (619) 260-4524. Admissions decision letters are sent via US Mail.
Submit all supplemental materials to:
Office of Graduate Admissions
University of San Diego, Manchester Hall 105
5998 Alcalá Park, San Diego, CA 92110-2492
grads@sandiego.edu
For questions about the admissions contact:
SOLES Office of Admissions and Outreach
Mother Rosalie Hill Hall 143
(619) 260-7988
solesadmissions@sandiego.edu
Advising Appointments