Executive Nonprofit Administration

The Master of Nonprofit Administration (MNA) at the University of Notre Dame is a comprehensive and rigorous graduate program designed to develop effective and ethical leaders in the nonprofit sector. This program equips students with the essential skills, knowledge, and values necessary to address complex social issues and drive positive change in communities worldwide. Through a balanced curriculum that combines theoretical frameworks with practical application, students gain expertise in organizational management, strategic planning, financial oversight, fundraising, grant writing, and leadership development tailored specifically to nonprofit organizations. The MNA program emphasizes ethical decision-making, mission-driven leadership, and the importance of social justice, preparing graduates to serve as impactful leaders in various nonprofit contexts, including healthcare, education, human services, arts and culture, and advocacy organizations. The program offers flexible delivery options, including full-time and part-time formats, to accommodate working professionals and diverse student backgrounds. Students also benefit from the university’s strong network of nonprofit practitioners, alumni, and industry partners, providing ample opportunities for internships, networking, and collaborative projects. The Notre Dame MNA curriculum integrates rigorous academic coursework with real-world experiences, fostering critical thinking, effective communication, and innovative problem-solving skills that are essential for successful nonprofit management. Graduates of this program are well-positioned to advance in leadership roles within the nonprofit sector, launch their own initiatives, or contribute to policy development that promotes social good. With a commitment to academic excellence, ethical leadership, and community engagement, the University of Notre Dame’s MNA prepares students to lead nonprofit organizations that create sustainable and meaningful impact across society.

The EMNA program is flexible, and its 42 credit hours may be completed in as little as 14 months or as many as 48 months. The total commitment time on campus is 10 weeks over a two to four-summer time frame. Four weeks of core courses are taken in the first summer. Distance learning courses are offered in the fall and spring semesters. 

Core Courses

• Accounting for the NFP, MNA 60310
• Board Relations & Management, MNA 60510
• Decision Analysis & Statistics, MNA 70310
• Economics of NFP Enterprises, MNA 70110
• Ethics in Nonprofit Organizations, MNA 70410
• Field Project, MNA 75110
• Financial Management, MNA 70210
• Human Resource Management, MNA 60210
• Legal Environment, MNA 66110
• Management Communication, MNA 60110
• Marketing for Nonprofits, MNA 60410 NFP
• Nonprofit Management; Leading with Social Impact, MNA 70740
• Planning & Policy, MNA 70610

Electives

In addition to the summer modules, the MNA Program offers elective courses as a distance learning option. Taught by both Notre Dame and outside professors on alternating years, these online courses are available during the fall and spring semesters. The courses use two types of technology---Sakai offered via the Notre Dame Web and Global Crossings, a telephone conferencing system.

• BUSINESS COMMUNICATION: MANAGING DIFFERENCES AND CONFLICT, MNA 76110
• CATHOLIC SOCIAL THOUGHT, MNA 76210
• GRANT WRITING AND DEVELOPMENT, MNA 70510
• LEADERSHIP, MNA 76510
• SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP, MNA 70730
• ADVANCED ACCOUNTANCY FOR NONPROFIT MANAGERS: ACCOUNTING THEORY AND PRINCIPLES APPLIED, MNA 70750
• EMPLOYMENT LAW FOR MANAGERS, MNA 70760
• ORGANIZATIONAL LEADERSHIP FOR THE THIRD SECTOR (ON CAMPUS), MNA 60026
• PROGRAM EVALUATION AND OUTCOME MEASUREMENT, MNA 70761
• PUBLIC POLICY IN THE NONPROFIT SECTOR, MNA 70762
• RESEARCH METHODS, MNA 70763
• FUND DEVELOPMENT, MNA 70764
• THE INTERSECTION OF BUSINESS AND NONPROFITS, MNA 70765

• A Bachelor’s degree
• Official transcript(s)
• Official scores from the TOEFL®, PTE®, or IELTS® required of all non-U.S. citizen applicants (and U.S. citizen applicants, who have lived/studied extensively in other countries)
• Resume
• Two recommendations (requested by e-form within the application)
• Complete online application
• At least two years full-time, post-baccalaureate nonprofit experience in the management of people, projects or budget units
• Official scores from the GMAT® or GRE®; waiver option available within application
• Interview dependent upon qualifications
• Application fee of $50 (by 11/1516), $100 (by 12/15/16), or $150 (by 2/15/17)

Scholarships

The EMNA program offers merit-based fellowship funds and employer-specific fellowship funds to qualifying students each year via the online application. Students eligible for fellowships must meet all of the following criteria:

• Outstanding academic performance
• Strong commitment to a career in the nonprofit sector
• Demonstrated potential for leadership

The EMNA program also maintains several partnerships with nonprofit organizations committed to professional development. Current employer-specific fellowship partners are described below.

Paul D. Coverdell Peace Corps Fellowship

The Paul D. Coverdell Peace Corp Fellowship was instituted to honor those who have served in the Peace Corps and who wish gain employment in the nonprofit sector after leaving the Corps. One fellowship is awarded per academic year to the candidate who shows outstanding academic performance, a strong commitment to a career in the nonprofit sector and who demonstrates high potential for leadership. The amount of the fellowship is $10,500, or approximately 25 percent of tuition to the EMNA program. Applicants are not precluded from applying for other EMNA merit-based scholarships and financial assistance.

If you wish to be considered for the Paul D. Coverdell Peace Corps Fellowship, please indicate this selection on your EMNA program application.

The Volunteers of America Program Fellowship

Volunteers of America (VOA) and the EMNA program have teamed up to offer an executive development program for high-potential VOA employees. Through this program, VOA employees spend time on the University of Notre Dame campus learning from MNA faculty members about topics including “What it means to be a CEO in a Ministry of Service,” “Inspired Performance” and “Leading from Middle Management.”

In an effort to expand the collaboration with VOA, the EMNA program has offered a half-tuition scholarship opportunity to a VOA employee who has demonstrated strong values, high leadership potential and outstanding academic performance. Fellowships are restricted to VOA employees and are selected by VOA.

The Executive Nonprofit Administration program at the University of Notre Dame is designed to provide experienced nonprofit professionals with advanced leadership skills and strategic management expertise. This program aims to equip executives with the tools necessary to lead complex organizations in the nonprofit sector, addressing challenges such as governance, financial management, fundraising, and social impact measurement. Offered through the Mendoza College of Business, the program emphasizes ethical decision-making, innovative problem-solving, and effective communication, preparing participants to enhance organizational effectiveness and drive sustainable change.

The curriculum typically includes courses on nonprofit strategy, leadership development, financial sustainability, legal and ethical issues, and fundraising strategies. Participants engage in experiential learning, case studies, and collaborative projects that foster peer-to-peer learning and networking within the nonprofit community. The program is often delivered in a rigorous executive format, suited for busy professionals who seek to balance their ongoing responsibilities with their development goals.

Throughout the program, participants benefit from Notre Dame's commitment to values-based leadership and social justice, reflecting the university’s Catholic heritage. Faculty members are distinguished scholars and practitioners with extensive experience in nonprofit management, offering practical insights and mentorship. The program also emphasizes the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion in nonprofit leadership, encouraging graduates to drive positive social change within their organizations and communities.

Upon completion, alumni are well-positioned to assume senior leadership roles such as executive directors, chairs of nonprofit boards, development directors, and other strategic positions. They gain not only advanced managerial skills but also a deeper understanding of the social and ethical responsibilities inherent in nonprofit work. The network of Notre Dame alumni provides ongoing support, collaboration opportunities, and professional growth.

The program typically spans several months, with a blend of in-person sessions, online modules, and interactive discussions, designed to fit the schedules of busy executives. It emphasizes practical application, enabling participants to implement new strategies and initiatives within their organizations immediately. By fostering a community of innovative nonprofit leaders, the University of Notre Dame’s Executive Nonprofit Administration program aims to strengthen the sector and promote effective, ethical, and impactful social sector leadership worldwide.