Nonprofit Leadership

Michael Bisesi, EdD, Director
Coordinator : TBA

This executive graduate degree program was developed specifically for those who lead, or aspire to lead nonprofit organizations. As an executive degree, the program offers opportunities to network with and learn from experienced peers while also working with a distinguished mix of instructors drawn from Seattle University faculty, practitioners and training professionals.

Effective nonprofit executives must have the leadership skills that inspire others to voluntary action while also possessing the management abilities expected in government and business. The program has a unique curriculum designed to teach the core competencies expected of the best nonprofit executives. While courses will teach the latest management and leadership theory, content will emphasize practical application. Course work is intended to build on the base of experience that students will bring with them to the classroom.

All courses are scheduled in the evenings or on Saturdays. Students are provided with all class schedules as far in advance each quarter as possible to facilitate planning.

Program participants have the opportunity to meet with a wide variety of the region’s nonprofit and grantmaking leaders. Personal mentoring is also provided by a diverse visiting committee. A unique interactive website encourages peer mentoring and exchange of best practices between program participants, graduates, visiting committee members, and faculty. Graduates have access to career counseling services and are invited to continue their association with the program through an alumni organization.

Candidates for Admission

The MNPL program is oriented toward working professionals who currently are nonprofit executives or who expect to be in such positions in the near future. Students will be selected from:

Those already employed in nonprofit and philanthropic organizations who have at least two years management experience
Those with comparable experience in business, government and the professions who wish to prepare for a career shift to the nonprofit sector
Individuals with eight years of experience in leadership positions on nonprofit boards who now desire employment as a nonprofit executive
Professionals offering services to the nonprofit sector

Admission Requirements

Completed Application for Graduate Admission and a nonrefundable $55 application fee (waived for Seattle University alumni)
Evidence of a four-year equivalent bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
Minimum grade point average of 3.00 (GPA) calculated from official transcripts of all post-secondary educational institutions attended in last 90 quarter/60 semester credits of the bachelor’s degree, including any transfer credit earned during this time, and any post-baccalaureate course work. In special cases, those with a GPA less than a 3.00 will be admitted on a probationary basis. Applicants earning a bachelor’s degree from a non-graded institution must submit official GRE scores in lieu of GPA.
Recommendation from applicant’s employer using the MNPL employer recommendation form for graduate study
Current résumé reflecting at least two years management experience in a nonprofit organization or comparable work or five years of volunteer leadership experience
List of five recommenders with name, title, mailing address, phone number, and e-mail address who can comment on your professional abilities and potential for leadership in a nonprofit organization
Two-page statement describing career objectives and discussing how participation in the program will help achieve this goal
If English is not the applicant’s native language, official English proficiency scores meeting the university’s entrance requirements must be submitted. See policy 2008-01 in Admissions Policies for details.

Program Candidates

A class of 25 to 30 students is admitted each year and this cohort proceeds through the program together in order to provide more opportunities to learn from each other.
Each admitted student will be asked to gather from an employer an assessment of the student’s core competencies and leadership qualities. This profile will be used as a guide during the program and at graduation will be coupled with a plan for future professional development.