NPL/Master in Law (NPL/ML) Program
The Master of Science in Nonprofit Leadership/Master in Law (NPL/ML) dual degree program prepares graduates for many careers in nonprofit leadership that will benefit from a knowledge of the law and legal principles, many which exist within and overlap with our legal system including advocacy, criminal justice, immigration, management, policy, and more through social impact organizations, nonprofits, and social enterprises.
The NPL/ML builds on a practical and theoretical foundation to prepare students to:
- Start and lead nonprofit organizations in the local, national, and global social impact spheres.
- Examine legal issues that transcend a wide range of fields and areas of expertise to apply knowledge shaping the social impact sector.
The NPL/ML dual degree program allows students to earn both degrees by completing a total of 14 credit units (CUs) rather than 18 CUs if the degrees were earned separately. This is done by cross-counting up to two courses between each of the NPL and ML degrees. Completed individually, the NPL requires 10 credits and the ML requires 8 credits.
Students can count up to two ML CUs as NPL outside electives and up to two NPL CUs as ML courses from NPLD 5890 (1 CU), NPLD 5970 (1 CU), NPLD 7620 (1 CU), or NPLD 5800 (1 CU). Full-time dual degree students can complete the NPL/ML program in three semesters, usually by studying during summer semesters. Part-time dual degree students can complete the NPL/ML program in up to eight semesters. There is flexibility in both full- and part-time scheduling. The Administrative and Executive Directors of the NPL and ML programs will collaborate to review course choices and create an individual academic plan for dual degree students.
The NPL program includes a leadership practicum that is an integral part of the experiential learning for all NPL students, which builds upon core competencies and principles of leadership developed in the classroom. It consists of:
- a supervised mentoring and leadership development experience; and
- a partnership with the goal of learning about the organization and providing student support on various levels that can include strategic planning, succession planning, branding or marketing, development and philanthropy, or other targeted projects.
Application Information
Students may apply to the NPL and the ML programs simultaneously or they may apply to one program after admission to or matriculation in the other program fulfilling the application requirements for each degree program and indicating an interest in the NPL/ML. Upon acceptance to the NPL and ML programs the applicant will be admitted to the dual degree program.
Tuition & Financial Aid
Students enrolled in the NPL/ML dual degree will be primary at the school where they begin, either SP2 or Penn Carey Law, until they complete their primary program, at which time they would become primary in their remaining program. If a student applies to and enrolls in both programs simultaneously, the student will be NPL primary and tuition will be paid to SP2. Financial aid decisions are made independently by each school.
Proposed Course of Study
| Course | NPL | ML | Semester | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | NPL Core 1 | 1 | – | Fall I | |
| 2 | NPL Core 2 | 1 | – | Fall I | |
| 3 | NPL Elective 1 | 1 | – | Fall I | |
| 4 | NPL Elective 2 | 1 | – | Fall I | |
| 5 | NPL Outside Elective 1 from Law | 1 | 1 | Fall I | Selected from LAWM 5110, LAWM 5280, or LAWM 5290; Fulfills NPL Outside Elective |
| 6 | NPL Core 3 | 1 | – | Spring I | |
| 7 | NPL Core 4 | 1 | – | Spring I | |
| 8 | NPL Elective 3 | 1 | 1 | Spring I | Selected from NPLD 5890 (1 CU), NPLD 5970 (1 CU), NPLD 7620 (1 CU), or NPLD 5800 (1 CU); Fulfills ML cross counting |
| 9 | NPL Elective 4 | 1 | 1 | Spring I | Selected from NPLD 5890 (1 CU), NPLD 5970 (1 CU), NPLD 7620 (1 CU), or NPLD 5800 (1 CU); Fulfills ML cross counting |
| 10 | NPL Outside Elective 2 from Law | 1 | 1 | Spring I | Selected from LAWM 5110, LAWM 5280, or LAWM 5290; Fulfills NPL Outside Elective |
| 11 | LAWM core foundation | – | 1 | Fall II | Selected from LAWM 5110, LAWM 5280, or LAWM 5290 |
| 12 | ML Elective | – | 1 | Fall II | |
| 13 | JD Upper Level course | – | 1 | Fall II | |
| 14 | ML Elective or JD course | – | 1 | Fall II | |
| 10 | 8 |
Leadership Practicum
NPL/LAW dual degree students will typically begin their practicum experience in their first year in the program. NPL/LAW students are required to participate in the summer practicum events. Please consult your NPL and LAW Academic Advisors for further guidance.
The Leadership Practicum is an integral part of the experiential learning for all NPL students, which builds upon core competencies and principles of leadership developed in the classroom. It consists of:
- a supervised mentoring and leadership development experience with either an executive director or senior level leader at a local, national, or international social impact organization;
- a partnership with the goal of understanding the organization and providing student support on various levels that can include strategic planning, succession planning, branding or marketing, development and philanthropy, or other targeted projects; and
- a commitment of a minimum of 250 hours of practicum time with the sponsoring organization (virtually, hybrid, or fully in-person) during the academic year beginning in September and ending in April.
Contact Us
Adam Roth-Saks, MSEd
Administrative Director, MS in Nonprofit Leadership
215 573 2390
infonpl@sp2.upenn.edu
Catherine Restrepo
Executive Director, Master in Law
master@law.upenn.edu
