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Nonprofit Leadership and Public Management (NLPM)

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Advance the Common Good with a Master of Nonprofit Leadership and Public Management Degree

Nonprofit Leadership and Public Management (NLPM) professionals serve communities and other public or non-profit entities to effect positive change and to advance the common good. The NLPM degree at Marywood University is recognized among the best in the nation. It is an exclusive online 30-credit degree program that follows the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration (NASPAA)'s accreditation guidelines.

Our goal is to prepare students for challenging emergence in public administration as effective and innovative administrators, equipped with practical and real-world experiences, and to train them with the vital skills, evidence-based research, and theoretical framework needed to tackle the complex environment of public affairs.

The NLPM degree program affords students with opportunities to get involved in public affairs as soon as they begin the program, focusing on civic engagement and public responsibilities on local, national, and international levels.

The curriculum combines evidence-based research, applied theory, and practical skill development to prepare students for conceptual, analytical, and ethical applications of administrative solutions to problems.

Degree
Master of Nonprofit Leadership and Public Management (NLPM)

Total Credit Hours
30

College
Reap College of Creative and Professional Studies

Department
Nonprofit Leadership and Public Management

Program Highlights

Explore Dual-Degree Opportunities

The Nonprofit Leadership and Public Management (NLPM) and the Master of Social Work (MSW) at Marywood University offer a dual-degree program designed to assure the acquisition of both management and social work skills necessary for competence as a manager/administrator in the social work field.

This program is designed for those who wish to combine the development of administrative and managerial expertise with knowledge, skills, and values of the social work profession. The joint focus on public interest, policy, and management prepares students for a range of professional options and opportunities.

Dual-Degree Opportunities

Executive Nonprofit Leadership and Public Management (ENLPM) Option

Fast Track to Success with Only 6 Courses (18 credits)
Marywood University’s Executive Nonprofit Leadership and Public Management (ENLPM) program is designed for experienced professionals in the public, nonprofit, and private sectors.

This fully online, asynchronous program allows students to continue working while gaining real-world skills in management, policy, and administration. With practitioner engagement built into the curriculum, students can apply what they learn directly to their current roles.

The program can be completed in just two semesters, leading to a Master’s in Nonprofit Leadership and Public Management.

ENLPM Curriculum

Top Online Program

Earned #30 on list of best online schools at master's level

*onlinemastersdegrees.org (OMD)

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As an older student, I was impressed with the welcoming nature of all involved in my degree pursuit. From the guidance I received with my initial course, to the encourageme...

David Bulzoni '21

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Top Career Paths

  • Consultant

  • Foreign Service Officer

  • Civil Service Officer

  • Healthcare Service Manager

Top Employers

  • Consulting Firms

  • Federal Government

  • Local Government

  • Hospitals

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About the Nonprofit Leadership and Public Management (NLPM) Program

Admission Requirements

Applying to the NLPM program at Marywood University is free and open online through the university's Office of Admissions.

An undergraduate degree from an accredited institution of higher learning is required for admissions, in addition to the following:

Visit Graduate Admissions 

Advanced Placement in the Ph.D. Program 

Receiving an NLPM degree from Marywood University is rewarding. Not only it will provide you with knowledge and skills for career development in the job market, but it will also provide you with an opportunity to continue with your higher education by applying to a Ph.D. program in Public Administration (or any related field). An ideal place for you to apply and continue your education is Marywood University's Ph.D. Program in Strategic Leadership and Administrative Studies (SLAS).

Total credit hours required to complete the Ph.D. Program in SLAS is 60 credits (15 courses, 2 seminars and 9 dissertation credits). However, students with an NLPM degree from Marywood University can apply to the Ph.D. Program in SLAS and upon acceptance apply 12 MPA credits (of a grade of B or better) toward the Ph.D. Program as an advanced placement. The following 4 NLPM courses are eligible for advanced placement:

The Core Course of PADM 501: Principles of Public Administration: This course can be applied toward the doctoral Foundation Course of SLAS 6001- Administrative and Leadership Theories.

The Core Course of PADM 502: Public Policy Analysis: This course can be applied toward the doctoral Foundation Course of  SLAS 6003- Policy Analysis and Organizational Dynamics.

The Core Course of PADM 504: Research Methodology: This course can be applied toward the doctoral Research Course of SLAS 6008- Qualitative Research Design.

The Core Course of PADM 505: Public Budgeting and Finance eligible: This course can be applied toward the doctoral Foundation Course of SLAS 6005- Organizational Budget and Finance.

If you have any questions about this program, we're here to help. 

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Facilities & Technology

 Even though the program is online, for those that would like to connect in person, faculty is on campus for your needs. You also have access to all the services and campus amenities, so we hope to see you around campus!

McGowan Center for Graduate and Professional Studies

The McGowan Center for Graduate and Professional Studies, located on the corner of University and North Washington Avenues, contains classrooms and related clinical/professional space for Communication Sciences and Disorders, Psychology and Counseling, Education, and Business students. The Marywood Market is also located here.

The McGowan Center is home to the School of Education and the School of Business and Global Innovation. The Counseling/Student Development Center is also located here.

The building has modern classrooms, computer labs, and controlled lab settings for the Psychology and Communication Sciences and Disorders programs. Students from the School of Education may utilize the Curriculum Lab, which houses hundreds of school textbooks, teacher manuals, and other teaching materials.

Market Marywood is a convenience store located on the first floor of the McGowan Center. It features favorite beverages, snacks, Ben and Jerry's ice cream, on-the-go sandwiches, fruit, and salads.

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Learning Commons

The Learning Commons changes minds about what a library is, how it works, and what it's supposed to do. By seamlessly navigating the ever-changing learning landscape, The Learning Commons in effect removes previous barriers to knowledge creation. Since it is far more than a repository for information, the facility instantly became a place where people collaborate and create knowledge, using the latest technology and the energy that is borne of intellectual exchange and inspirational spaces.

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Scholarships

Jack Kent Cooke Scholarship

The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation's scholarship programs are designed to encourage and support outstanding students who work hard, demonstrate a strong will to succeed, and have financial need. Our scholarships provide financial assistance and academic support to high school, undergraduate, and graduate students.

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Tuition

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Payment Deadline Calendar

Meet the Faculty & Staff

Dr. Alexander Dawoody

Dr. Caroline Millen

Dr. Kathleen Covey

Andrew Cutillo, JD

Courses & Curriculum (30 Semester Hours; Online)

Program Objectives

The Master of Nonprofit Leadership and Public Management program at Marywood is an exclusive professional online program, recognized as one of the Best Online Master’s Degree Programs in the nation by bestcolleges.com. All courses are offered through Brightspace. The program values ethical, innovative, dynamic, and practical approaches toward public service shaped by the process of participatory engagement in the complex environment of public administration.

Specifically, the program strives to:

  1. Exposing students to a wide range of public affairs and administrative issues, as well as processes, practices, and responsibilities involved in public service.

  2. Training public and nonprofit administrators on active engagement in problem solving.

  3. Training public managers and administrators on all levels to adapt ethical responses toward issues of public service.

  4. Developing collegial and supportive associations within the profession to share resources and expertise on local, national, and international levels.

  5. Preparing students plan, organize, staff, coordinate, implement, and administer public service.

  6. Facilitating students' understanding and command of theories and applied social sciences related to the delivery of public service.

  7. Preparing students develop analytical, assessment and evaluation skills for effective managerial decision-making within the complex environment of public and nonprofit administration.

  8. Helping students articulate their awareness of social justice through active community participation and evidence-based research.

  9. Providing advanced education in management related to the provision of public service, especially in the areas of public policy and administration, state and local government, the federal government, international relations and foreign policy, national security, disaster management, and nonprofit leadership.

The NLPM at Marywood University is involved in network development on national and international levels to promote practical approaches to administrative science in the public sphere. Rather than focusing on outdated policy and administrative issues, the program is focusing on developing cooperative efforts to engage in networking and promoting social justice, peace, and ethical leadership. The program seeks giving voice to victims of wars, genocide and oppression around the world, including providing access to education. The program also seeks engagement and cooperation with NGOs on the global level to advocate sound political and economic policies, providing solutions to problems while advocating liberty and human dignity to all members of human society. The program also aims at developing international networks of public administrators that can embody collaboration and partnership, professionalism, public integrity and democratic principles.

The NLPM at Marywood University is involved in researching issues of public and administrative affairs, nonlinear dynamics, homeland security, disaster management, peace and nonviolence in resolving conflicts and comparative international administrative systems. The program is working to coordinate annual and periodic conferences that engage local, regional, national and international scholars at Marywood University and publish scholarly work in a program-sponsored peer-reviewed journal. The goal is to transform the program into an international think-tank for public policy and administration. These objectives are used as catalysts to examine the characteristics of partnership building, value sharing and prototypes intrinsic in applying supportive paths to addressing issues of public affairs.

The NPLM at Marywood University considers the extent different issues in public and nonprofit administration impact the particularities as well as the broad array of administrative systems. An effective means of productive involvement is to form skills, attitudes and behaviors that integrate administrative practices in dynamic inter-related networks. Our focus is constructing common ground for dialogue in order to apply practical skills for ensuring collaborative interactions within public administrators on local, national, and international levels. The program, as such, is building approaches incrementally while forging alliances with other local, regional, national and international educational programs in public administration in order to foster a commitment toward transforming the discipline into an effective analytical tool in the study and practice of public administration. Accordingly, the NLPM at Marywood University is engaged in the development of the following activities:

  1. Coordinating and organizing annual and periodic conferences on public affairs and administration through international dialogue. These conferences will include local, regional, national and international participants.

  2. Publishing a peer-reviewed journal on public policy and administration as a tool for peace studies, security, public service, dialogue and conflict resolution.

  3. Offering workshops to local and regional public managers.

Master of Nonprofit Leadership and Public Management Program Overview

The NLPM at Marywood University, recognized among the best in the nation. The program is an exclusive online 30 credit hours that follows the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration (NASPAA)'s accreditation guidelines. Our goal is to prepare students for challenging emergence in public and nonprofit administration as effective and innovative administrators equipped with practical and real-world experiences, and to train them with the needed skills, evidence-based research and theoretical framework in order to tackle the complex environment of public affairs. 

The NLPM degree is both marketable and professional. It prepares students for management careers in public and nonprofit organizations as well as administrative positions in the public sector. The degree is ideal for students who are committed to public service and want to make a positive difference in the world. 

The program affords students opportunities to get involved in public affairs as soon as they begin the program, focusing on civic engagement and public responsibilities on local, national and international levels. The curriculum combines evidence-based research, applied theory, and practical skill development in order to prepare students for conceptual, analytical, and ethical applications of administrative solutions to problems.

With classes scheduled online and delivered through Moodle students can enroll on a full or part-time basis and from the comfort of their homes around the world. Faculty expertise include all substantive policy areas which enable them to teach, advise, research, and serve the students, community and profession. Here are few other reasons to consider the NLPM program at Marywood University:

  • Recognized as one of the Best Online Master’s Degree Programs in the nation by bestcolleges.com and the OnlineMastersDegrees.org (OMD)

  • Easy and free online admissions process.

  • No standardized tests are required for admissions.

  • Full or part-time.

  • Streamlined, up-to-date and cutting-edge curriculum. 

  • Dynamic teaching methods designed for learning adults and effective graduate studies.

  • Knowledge and skill development for career advancement. 

  • Outstanding and experienced faculty. 

  • Specialization in general public administration, nonprofit leadership, and homeland security and disaster management.

  • Sequential classes based on a master schedule. 

  • Dual NLPM/ MSW degree

  • Transition upon graduation and acceptance to the PhD Program in Strategic Leadership and Administrative Studies with up to 12 NLPM credits applied toward the PhD program.

  • Professional peer-review Journal of Applied Professional Studies (JAPS).

  • Professional networking, student organizations, and activities.

Course Numbers

Course Names

Credit Hours

REQUIRED COURSES

30 total credits

NLPM 501

Law and Public Affairs

3

NLPM 502

Introduction to the Nonprofit Sector

3

NLPM 503

Communication Strategic Planning and Organizational Dynamics

3

NLPM 504

Program Assessment and Evaluation

3

NLPM 505

Research Methodology

3

NLPM 506

Human Resource Management

3

NLPM 507

Ethics

3

NLPM 508

Public Budgeting and Finance

3

NLPM 509

Fndr/Grnts Wrtng Nonprft Or

3

NLPM 510

Negotiation, Mediation, Facilitation

3

Student Resources

NLPM Internship

The NLPM program does not require an internship, but encourages internships for pre-career and career-changing students. The program assists students in locating internship opportunities on local, state, regional, national, and international levels. The internship may begin as early as the second semester, but it is usually taken during the latter half of one's program. Your advisor will provide you with placement assistance, once you declare your interest and your registration for the Internship course (PADM 596) is approved. Approximately 400 hours of job experience is to be attained and evaluated (approximately 32 hours per week in a semester or 16 hours per week in two semesters).

Each intern is responsible for negotiating a set of learning and performance objectives with the work supervisor and the program's advisor within the seven areas of POSDCoRB (Planning, Organizing, Staffing, Directing, Coordinating, Reporting, and Budgeting). The statement of objectives, once completed and signed by all parties becomes a contract that the employer agrees to help the intern achieve learning objectives, the intern promises to attain the performance objectives of the agency, and the NLPM program agrees that completion of the objectives requires 3 credits for the work portion of the internship. When possible the advisor visits or communicates with the supervisor to coordinate the internship. At the end of the internship, the intern is evaluated by both the supervisor and by his/ her advisor.   

1. Federal Government Internships

Pathways Program

The Pathways Program includes a federal government-wide internship program for students from high school to PhD. Positions are located across the country, either part-time or full-time.

Feds Hire Vets

Veterans interested in continuing their public service can look into the many opportunities provided by this program.

U.S. State Department

The State Department manages several internship programs that enable students to get experience in a foreign affairs environment.

U.S. Department of Transportation

The U.S. DOT offers internship in several areas, including planning, economics, public administration and criminal justice. 

2. Nonprofit Internship

Idealist

Search by name, location, or mission for volunteer and internship opportunities at nonprofit worldwide.

3. NASPAA

Internship Program

The Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs and Administration (NASPAA) has internship opportunities for students of public administration.

PublicServiceCareers.org

Good source for finding jobs or internships. 

Peer-Reviewed Journal

Journal of Applied Professional Studies

Resources

Marywood Institutional Review Board (IRB)

Marywood Exempt Review Committee (ERC)

Graduate Admissions Featured Events

Visit campus during one of our admissions events specially designed for you to learn more about your degree program, or schedule an individual appointment with a graduate admissions counselor by clicking on the Weekday Visits link.

Weekday Visits »

Related Programs

Strategic Leadership and Administrative Studies (PhD)
Social Work (MSW)

Centers of Excellence

Marywood University hosts three academic Centers of Excellence on campus; The Center for Law, Justice and Policy, The Center for Urban Studies, and The Mother Theresa Maxis, IHM Center. Each center provides students with the tools and resources to excel in their academic endeavors, fostering a dynamic environment where they can engage deeply with their respective fields of study and make meaningful contributions to their communities and beyond.

Marywood University Center for Law, Justice and Policy Learn More
Center for Urban Studies Learn More
Truth, Racial Healing, & Transformation Center Learn More

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Accreditation

Marywood University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSHE). / ADDRESS / 3624 Market Street, 2nd Floor West, Philadelphia, PA 19104. | Phone: (267) 284-5000

The Master of Nonprofit Leadership and Public Management (NLPM) follows the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration (NASPAA)'s accreditation guidelines.

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