Future of the Master of Philanthropy & Nonprofit Leadership
As of May 2026, the Master of Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership is no longer accepting new applicants. Prospective students of the program are encouraged to explore either the Master of Public Administration or the Professional Master of Arts in Social Innovation degrees which are also housed at the School of Community Leadership and Development.
Information for Current MPNL Students
The MPNL program at Grand Valley State University offers a dynamic and flexible learning experience, combining innovative curriculum with real-world application to develop effective, ethical leaders in philanthropy and nonprofit management. Students can collaborate with faculty on research projects, benefiting from the university's comprehensive resources, including the Johnson Collection, one of the nation's most extensive collections on the nonprofit sector. With evening, hybrid, and online courses, the program accommodates both part-time and full-time students, ensuring diverse educational needs are met. For more information, contact the graduate program director. Apply today.
Program of Study
The MPNL degree consists of a minimum of 36 credit hours. You should visit with a faculty advisor to discuss the program of study prior to registration. (Consult Banner to identify advisor.) Return visits are encouraged, as updating the plan of study likely will be desirable as time passes. Typically, full-time students complete the program in four semesters and part-time students taking two classes per semester complete the degree in six semesters.
The MPNL program has the following components:
- 21 credit hours of required core courses:
- PNH 660 Philanthropy & the Nonprofit Sector
- PNH 611 Research Methods
- PNH 612 Human Resources in Organizations
- PNH 614 Organization Theory
- PNH 661 Nonprofit Management Practice
- PNH 662 Nonprofit Resource & Financial Management
- PNH 685 Public Service Leadership Seminar
- 15 credit hours of electives (including a recommended 3 credits of internship for pre-career students)