What is the Nonprofit Leadership Program?

The Nonprofit Leadership (NPL) Program prepares students for careers and service in the ever-growing nonprofit sector. In Minnesota, as of 2012, over 14% of employment was attributed to the nonprofit sector. The largest employers in the nonprofit sector nationally are educational services, healthcare and social assistance, and arts, entertainment, and recreation.

MSU, Mankato’s NPL program is built on an interdisciplinary approach with five participating departments: Sociology, Social Work, Urban and Regional Studies, Recreation, Parks and Leisure Services, and Gender and Women’s Studies, as well as courses taught by Nonprofit Leadership faculty.

With planning, the program can be completed online, and students on or near campus can select from a greater number of courses that are part of the program. The undergraduate catalog provides details on what courses are included in the NPL Program.

For undergraduate students, the program offers an:

  • NPL Certificate for 18 credits
  • NPL Minor for 21 credits (you can earn both!)

For graduate students the program offers an:

What about my major?
Nonprofit organizations hire graduates from every major. Some desirable majors include:

Contact the program director for more information!


Dr. Kristi Rendahl, Director & Assistant Professor DPA
Nonprofit Leadership Program
Minnesota State University, Mankato
113 Armstrong Hall
Mankato, MN 56001
Phone: 507-389-5215
Email: kristi.rendahl@mnsu.edu