Turn Your Master’s Degree into a Tool for Change

Social work MSW programs: Driving social change

Are you all about working directly with clients and advocating for vulnerable populations? With a master’s in social work, you can gain a deeper understanding of human behavior, systems of care and community dynamics that will make you a valuable and committed nonprofit leader.  

With an MSW or a Ph.D. in social work, you’ll learn what it takes to become a nonprofit administrator who advocates for policy changes, coordinates services with multiple other agencies and provides a vision and direction for staff and volunteers. You can work on issues such as: 

• Mental health
• Health care access
• Poverty relief
• Affordable housing
• Youth development

By pursuing an MSW degree, you can prepare to become a licensed clinical social worker. Many states require a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)-accredited MSW program as a prerequisite for licensure, which is essential for many settings, including schools or family service organizations.

Salaries vary, but national estimates indicate that the average annual pay for a nonprofit social worker in the U.S. is $76,266, with those at the highest range earning $106,500 a year.

Sacred Heart offers multiple advanced CSWE-accredited degree programs for those looking for a career in social work. Learn more about SHU’s doctorate in social work online program, MSW in social work and dual degree program.

Master's of Public Administration (MPA): Leading with purpose

While a master of public administration program can prepare you to lead cities, run state agencies or hold local elected office, a public administration graduate program also provides you with the fundamentals to develop crucial managerial skills to run a nonprofit.

This degree emphasizes public policy, budgeting, organizational behavior and strategic planning, so that when faced with a budget crunch, you’ll know how to budget and allocate resources. When challenged by how to develop effective initiatives that align with your mission, you’ll know how to effectively address community needs while still reaching your organization’s goals.

You’ll also learn the ins and outs of how to:

• Work with stakeholders to achieve common goals
• Analyze, research and evaluate programs and policies
• Lead, manage and motivate staff
• Maintain compliance with laws and regulations
• Advocate effectively for funding and resources

Your salary will depend on your role. For instance, a nonprofit executive director might make about $164,000 in total annual pay, while a policy analyst might make an annual salary of about $89,000. Regardless of your position, what you learn in a master of public administration program will give you the skills to help nonprofits fulfill their core missions.

At Sacred Heart, the degree program focuses on financial administration, strategic planning, human resources and fundraising, which can help you to fill roles such as chief executive officer, executive director, director of development, fundraising manager or policy analyst. Sacred Heart University offers a 50% tuition discount for first responders throughout the tri-state area who enroll in the program.

Master's in Public Health (MPH): Tackling health inequities

For those passionate about addressing health disparities, a master's in public health (MPH) is a powerful tool to advance in the nonprofit world.

By enrolling in a public health graduate program, you’ve taken the first step toward a more comprehensive approach to understanding the social determinants of health, epidemiology and environmental factors. Master of public health programs enable graduates to work on large-scale public health initiatives aimed at improving the well-being of underserved populations.

By exploring graduate public health programs, you can see where you want to invest your time and money. For example, you may pursue a career securing funding for critical health initiatives or on topics such as: Infectious disease infection

• Global health
• Environmental health
• Research
• Access to health care

With an MPH, you can step into critical roles such as program director, health educator or policy adviser. The need for knowledgeable leaders in nonprofit health organizations has never been more urgent.

Sacred Heart’s Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH)-accredited public health master’s degree program is one of several that trains future public health leaders. You can also earn your master’s through SHU’s dual degree and accelerated programs.

Empower yourself to empower others

Nonprofits increasingly need professionals with diverse skill sets and specialized knowledge. A master’s or doctorate degree in social work, public administration or public health can help you to navigate the complexities of the nonprofit world and provide tools to drive your organization’s mission forward.

With more than 300,000 nonprofits in the U.S., providing 12.8 million jobs, or 9.9 percent of private-sector employment, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, now’s the time to position yourself for better job opportunities, a deeper professional network and a chance to make a bigger impact.

By combining advanced education with commitment to service, you can be at the forefront of driving positive change in the nonprofit world.

For more information, contact the graduate admissions office at Sacred Heart University, email gradstudies@sacredheart.edu or call 203-365-7619.

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