Master of Nonprofit Administration

Develop skills to drive social impact.

Earn a 12-month, specialized Master of Nonprofit Administration degree in the dynamic setting of downtown San Francisco.

The University of San Francisco Nonprofit Administration degree program draws from key partnerships with non-governmental organizations (NGOs), nonprofits, foundations, and entrepreneurs involved in international development and global engagement.

Students deepen their socially committed scholarship through a customized curriculum that may include academic global immersions, international internships, and global capstone projects.

The curriculum combines practical, hands-on, and real-world organizational projects with innovative methods, approaches, and tools in social, environmental, and economic impact assessment.

The USF Difference

• Flexible programs with weekday evening classes for busy working professionals
• Project-based and experiential learning within San Francisco’s vibrant nonprofit community
• Small, seminar-style classes in cohorts to foster diverse, critical, and intercultural conversations
• Classes begin every fall semester (end of August) in San Francisco

Two Degree Formats for MNA

The Master of Nonprofit Administration (MNA) at the University of San Francisco’s School of Management prepares nonprofit professionals for leadership and managerial positions in the nonprofit and social sectors. In line with the University’s motto to change the world from here and the Jesuit value of educating women and men for others, the MNA is an educational opportunity to make your aspirations to do good a rewarding career. The program promotes competent nonprofit leaders and effective managers for innovative, strategic, and systemic solutions to make the world a better place. Its carefully designed curriculum and embedded experiential learning enhance managerial competencies and leadership capacity in the area of:

• Nonprofit social innovation through effective fundraising strategies and social enterprise solutions for achieving financial sustainability
• International, cross-cultural, and diverse perspectives for effective operations of social solutions through NGOs and global enterprises
• Social impact measurement and analysis of organizational effectiveness and program’s outcomes benefit our communities and the common good

The MNA courses investigate the political, economic, legal, and social environments of nonprofit organizations. MNA students gain knowledge of organizational behavior and management theory and develop skills in specific areas such as ethical leadership, board governance, strategic planning, fundraising and marketing, human resources and financial management, program evaluation and impact analysis, nonprofit legal issues, nonprofit advocacy, and international NGOs. They specialize in social sector areas of their interest through a capstone project and certifications in sustainable development, social entrepreneurship, and humanitarian emergency among others.

Students in the FT-MNA take four courses in the Fall, three in the Spring, and two in the summer. Students in the part-time MNA generally take 2 courses per semester plus an Academic Global Immersion or other courses during the Intersession or Summer Sessions.

Goals

The MNA program focuses on three main goals:

• Develop nonprofit leaders who are socially conscious, community-engaged, and globally-minded
• Develop nonprofit managers who are competent, strategic, effective, and system thinkers
• Develop nonprofit administrators who discern ethical decisions for the common good

Major Requirements (36 units)

• The MNA degree requires 36 units (10 courses; 8 required and 2 electives)
• Completion of all degree coursework with a minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA
• Completion of a practicum and capstone project

Required

Students complete 8 core courses in 12 months for the FT-MNA or 21 months for the PT-MNA.

• NPA 601 - Nonprofit Ethical Leadership
• NPA 602 - Nonprofit Strategic Governance
• NPA 610 - Nonprofit Funding & Philanthropy
• NPA 611 - Nonprofit Finance & Accountability
• NPA 612 - Nonprofit Marketing & Communication
• NPA 621 - Social Impact Analysis Prct
• NPA 622 - Nonprofit Data Analysis - Cpt
• NPA 651 - Nonprofit Management

Electives

Students select two elective courses for 2 units in career interest and/or in conjunction with a Nonprofit Certificate Program.

• NPA 661 - Sustain Reporting Capacity
• NPA 662 - Social Enterprise Solutions
• NPA 663 - Refugee Service Management
• NPA 699 - MNA Special Topic

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the program, students will be able to:

• Develop nonprofit sector knowledge: Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the past, present, and future trends of the nonprofit sector across organizations, policies, and sectors in the U.S. and internationally
• Develop social sector values: Demonstrate strategic, appreciative, and critical thinking to articulate and discern social sector values for the promotion of just, inclusive, prosperous, responsible, and sustainable communities
• Apply nonprofit management competencies: Apply principles and approaches of nonprofit management to problem-solve using strategic planning, board governance, resource development, financial administration, human resource management, legal compliance, nonprofit marketing, program evaluation, policy, and advocacy
• Apply systemic solutions: Apply nonprofit management skills and leadership competencies for the promotion of cross-sector collaborations, social value creation, and systemic solutions
• Integrate nonprofit ethical leadership: Demonstrate ethical leadership capacity and ethical reasoning for nonprofit leadership, global responsibility, social accountability, and ethical decision-making
• Integrate social impact analysis: Demonstrate evaluative capacity benefiting organizational development, organizational learning, organizational effectiveness, and organizational sustainability for social impact and social innovation

Careers

Alumni have a long tradition of leadership in the nonprofit sector in the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond. Many MNA alumni are nonprofit leaders with executive positions at nonprofit corporations and other social economy organizations, including foundations, social enterprises, voluntary associations, faith-based organizations, community-based organizations, and international nongovernmental organizations.

From Benioff Children’s Hospital to the Gates Foundation, Habitat for Humanity to the YMCA, nonprofit administration alumni continue to lead change in large and growing organizations around the world.

Featured Companies

Here are just a few places our alumni are leading change.

Top Industries

Industries where MNA alumni are employed