NPL/Master of Public Health (NPL/MPH) Program
The Master of Science in Nonprofit Leadership/Master of Public Health (NPL/MPH) dual degree program combines the efforts of public health and nonprofit leadership to support students passionate about public health research and practice and social impact through nonprofits and social enterprises.
The NPL/MPH builds on a practical and theoretical foundation to prepare public health workers to:
- Start and lead nonprofit organizations in the local, national, and global health spheres
- Plan, implement, evaluate, and disseminate programs to address health needs and inform public debate and policymaking
The NPL/MPH dual degree program allows students to earn both degrees by completing a total of 19 courses (CUs). This is done by cross-counting up to five courses between the MPH and NPL degrees. Completed individually, the MPH requires 14 credits and the NPL requires 10 credits.
Students can count up to two MPH courses as NPL electives and up to three NPL courses as MPH electives. Full-time dual degree students can complete the NPL/MPH program in five semesters, usually by studying during summer semesters. Part-time dual degree students can complete the NPL/MPH program in up to ten semesters. There is flexibility in both full- and part-time scheduling. The Administrative Directors of the NPL and MPH programs will collaborate to review course choices and create an individual academic plan for dual degree students.
Leadership Practicum
NPL/MPH dual degree students will typically complete their leadership practicum experience in the summer between their first and second year. NPL/MPH students are not required to participate in the summer practicum events. Please consult your NPL and MPH Academic Advisors for further guidance.
Application Information
Students apply to the NPL and the MPH simultaneously fulfilling the application requirements for each degree program and indicating an interest in the NPL/MPH. Upon acceptance into the MPH and NPL the applicant will be admitted to the dual degree program. Students may use the same letters of recommendation providing the referees address the dual degree interests.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Students pay tuition to the home school each semester. For the full-time program, the Perelman School of Medicine will be the home school for the first year of the dual degree. The home school designation will switch to SP2 in the fall of the second year. For the part-time program, the Perelman School of Medicine will be the home school for the first two years of the dual degree. The home school designation will switch to SP2 in the fall of the third year.
The NPL program offers limited tuition scholarship support for meritorious students and accounts for financial need. SP2 makes funding decisions based solely on the information in the application for admission. Students are notified on funding decisions at the point of admission. Awards will be applied when SP2 is the student’s home school.
For the NPL program, questions can be addressed to Sue Perls, Interim Director of the NPL program, at sueperls@upenn.edu
For the MPH program, questions can be addressed to Anita Stief, MPH Education Coordinator, at anita.stief@pennmedicine.upenn.edu.
Contact Us
Sue Perls, MS
Interim Director, MS in Nonprofit Leadership
215 573 2390
infonpl@sp2.upenn.edu
Anita Stief
MPH Education Coordinator
anita.stief@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
