Introduction
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
Full-time MNA
The full-time program takes one year to complete.
Courses occur weekday evenings, typically Monday-Wednesday 6–9 p.m. and one morning class at USF's downtown San Francisco campus location.
The GRE/GMAT and work experience are not required for the full-time program.
Part-time MNA
The program takes 24 months to complete part-time.
Weekday evenings, typically two days a week (M/W or T/W) 6-9 p.m. at USF's downtown San Francisco campus location.
The GRE/GMAT is not required. Two years of work experience preferred for the part-time program.
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
