Master of Arts in Nonprofit Leadership and Management

• 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

• An official transcript from the university where you earned your bachelor’s degree is required at the time of application.

  • Students who earned their bachelor's degree from an institution outside the United States must submit a course-by-course degree evaluation conducted by a NACES current member.  
    • 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.
  • NOTE:  
    • Official E-Transcripts are acceptable only if emailed to grads@sandiego.edu.
    • Transcripts from study abroad courses and/or transfer credit are not required.
    • Letters of Recommendation and International Transcript Evaluations must be received by the program deadline to complete your application.

• 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).
• A current resumé or curriculum vita
• 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?
• International applicants only:
  • Official score reports for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is required of all international applicants and may only be waived if English is the applicant’s primary language or if he or she obtained a bachelor’s degree in the U.S., Great Britain, Canada or Australia.
    • TOEFL minimum scores:
      • Internet-based test: 83
      • Computer-based test: 237
      • Paper-based test: 580
    • IELTS minimum score:
      • Band score 7
  • Transcripts from universities outside of the United States must be accompanied by a Course-by-Course transcript evaluation from World Education Services (WES).

Admission Requirement

Education Requirements

• Applicants must complete a bachelor’s degree prior to beginning the program. Applicants may apply prior to completing their bachelor's degree. In this case, please submit your most up-to-date transcripts, and if admitted, submit a second set of official transcripts after your degree is conferred
• The minimum cumulative grade point average is 3.0 (on a 4.00 scale) in all undergraduate and graduate coursework. Applicants whose Grade Point Averages are below a 3.00 (on 4.00 scale) should contact the program director in advance of application and may be asked to submit the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) General Test for consideration. For more information on preparing for the GRE, visit USD's Test Prep or call (619) 260-4585. 
• This program does not have any specific prerequisite courses.

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.

Application Process

Application Deadline

All application materials, including transcripts, test score reports and letters of recommendation, must be received by the Office of Graduate Admissions by the final deadline in order for your application to be considered. View current deadlines for admission.

Application Status and Decisions

To confirm that application materials have been received or to check the status of your application, please log in to the MySanDiego portal with your applicant login or contact the Office of Graduate Admissions at (619) 260-4524. Admissions decision letters are sent via US Mail.

Submit all application materials online, or to:

Office of Graduate Admissions
University of San Diego
5998 Alcalá Park
San Diego, CA 92110-2492
Email: grads@sandiego.edu

For questions about this program or the admissions requirements contact:

Office of Admissions and Outreach
School of Leadership and Education Sciences
University of San Diego
Mother Rosalie Hill Hall 149

Phone: (619) 260-7988
Email: solesadmissions@sandiego.edu