Nonprofit Leadership, Religion and Social Change 

What is nonprofit leadership, religion and social change?

Nonprofit leadership, religion and social change (NRSC) is for students interested in social change, justice and the public good in the growing nonprofit, philanthropic and service sectors. With this philanthropy degree, you’ll build your skills through academic study, experiential learning, community engagement and applied research.

What you'll learn

NRSC blends academic study, community engagement and experiential learning to help you become a compassionate, interculturally competent leader.

With a philanthropy degree like this, you can expect to gain:

• knowledge of nonprofits and philanthropy, including how nonprofits, charities, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and civil society organizations function locally and globally;
• skills in grantmaking, program evaluation and nonprofit management;
• intercultural and ethical competence, including communicating across cultural and religious differences;
• applied professional skills such as social entrepreneurship and innovation; strategic management; leadership and collaboration; and tools for advocacy, organizing and equity-focused change;
• personal and professional success strategies, including resilience and well-being in mission-driven careers; empathy; and reflective leadership practices.

Sample courses include:

• Intro to Religion and Nonprofits;
• Intro to Social Entrepreneurship and Religion;
• Spirituality, Peacebuilding and Social Change;
• International Development and NGO Management;
• Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning for Nonprofits;
• Religion and Nonprofit Leadership.

Why study nonprofit leadership, religion and social change at MSU?

This major is one of a kind among Big Ten institutions and across Michigan. It is MSU’s only undergraduate major focused specifically on nonprofits, and it’s grounded in applied learning and the humanities’ strengths in intercultural competence, ethical reasoning and global cultural knowledge.

Students in this major benefit from:

• distinctive focus — Unlike other philanthropy degrees, MSU's approach draws from religious studies to help you understand cultural and religious diversity, which is critical to effective leadership in nonprofit and service sectors;
• hands-on experiences — Project-based courses, community partnerships and applied research give students practical skills while they make a real difference in communities;
• faculty expertise — Professors bring deep experience in nonprofits, philanthropy, service and social entrepreneurship, equipping students to lead with both strategy and empathy;
• professional pathways — With MSU’s Excel Network and the culture of care in the College of Arts and Letters, students like you will gain mentorship, internships and support that connect humanities-based skills to professional outcomes;
• commitment to equity and justice — This program prepares leaders to reimagine how nonprofits serve communities, focusing on social change, justice and public good.

Alumni pursuits

Next steps