Nonprofit Management: Public, Professional and Social Sectors MS

Degree Awarded: Master of Science (MS)
Minimum Required Credits: 36
Co-op Option(s): None
Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code: 52.0201
Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code: 11-2031 

About the Program

The MS in Nonprofit Management: Public, Professional & Social Sectors prepares graduates to lead mission-driven organizations with ethical judgment, equity-centered practice, and strategic discipline in an increasingly complex social and digital environment. Grounded in the program learning outcomes, students develop the capacity to communicate with influence across fundraising, grants, advocacy, marketing, and community engagement—translating mission into compelling narratives, persuasive messages, and fundable proposals. Learners strengthen strategic management and sustainability competencies by assessing internal and external environments, setting priorities, allocating resources responsibly, and applying foundational nonprofit financial and accounting principles to support stewardship and long-term viability. The curriculum also builds advanced resource development capabilities through donor cultivation, stewardship, and contemporary fundraising strategies shaped by data and digital engagement. In addition, students gain rigorous preparation in program evaluation, learning how to design evaluation plans, interpret qualitative and quantitative findings ethically, and communicate results that promote accountability, learning, and continuous improvement. Throughout the program, students cultivate professional attributes essential to nonprofit leadership, including integrity, cultural humility, collaboration, adaptability, and a commitment to public trust.

Drexel’s experiential learning model shapes how students learn. Coursework is intentionally practice-forward and emphasizes applied projects, consulting-oriented collaboration, and professional deliverables aligned to real organizational expectations. Students engage with case-based and scenario-driven learning, stakeholder-informed problem solving, and reflective leadership development. Selective exploration of AI-informed and analytic tools supports responsible communication design, data interpretation, and strategic planning while maintaining a clear focus on ethics, equity, and organizational risk awareness. A signature feature is the two-course capstone sequence, in which students launch, implement, refine, and present an applied or research-based culminating project aligned with professional goals and mission impact.

Graduates are prepared for advancement across nonprofit, public, and social-impact organizations in roles such as program manager/director, development or donor engagement leader, grants professional, communications strategist, evaluation specialist, or strategy and operations manager. The program also supports pathways to further graduate study in fields such as public administration, policy, education, or related social sector disciplines, consistent with institutional requirements.

Admission Requirements

Drexel University admission requirements can be found at: https://drexel.edu/admissions

Degree Requirements

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Students may substitute alternative graduate level courses as electives with Advisor approval.

Program Learning Outcomes

PLO 1 — Ethical and Equity-Centered Leadership
Graduates will apply ethical reasoning, inclusive leadership, and systems thinking to advance organizational integrity, strengthen culture and belonging, and sustain stakeholder trust.
PLO 2 — Strategic Communication and Influence
Graduates will craft and deliver compelling, mission-aligned communications—including storytelling and grant-related writing—that engage diverse audiences and advance nonprofit goals across fundraising, advocacy, marketing, and community contexts.
PLO 3 — Strategic Management and Sustainability
Graduates will analyze, plan, and lead organizational strategy by assessing internal and external environments, setting priorities, allocating resources, and using foundational financial information to support long-term sustainability and mission impact.
PLO 4 — Resource Development and Donor Stewardship
Graduates will design and implement ethical fundraising, donor engagement, and stewardship strategies that build trust, leverage responsible use of data and digital tools, and strengthen long-term revenue capacity.
PLO 5 — Evaluation and Applied Capstone Execution
Graduates will design and apply evaluation approaches to support learning, accountability, and continuous improvement, and will complete a capstone project that integrates program competencies into actionable, professionally presented outcomes.