Under the mentorship of the faculty and in collaboration with nonprofit leaders, students expand their skill set, network with the larger community of nonprofits in the San Diego area and learn how to take their nonprofit organizations to the next level of success.
Program Requirements
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 | Leadership and Identity: Theory and Exploration | |
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.
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.

Questions?
Connect with the Office of Admissions and Outreach team to learn more information about SOLES master's and doctoral programs. Additional information for international applicants is also available.
