MA in Social Impact Leadership
Experience the Santa Clara Difference
Our vision imagines a region and world in which everyone has access to an inspiring education and the psychological tools and support to propel them toward flourishing lives of meaning, purpose and connection. Our education is characterized by strong values, social justice, transformative education and a diverse community.
MA in Social Impact Leadership
Gear up to Lead Social Change
The Master of Arts in Social Impact Leadership at Santa Clara University is an interdisciplinary program designed by the School of Education & Counseling Psychology, Leavey School of Business, and Miller Center for Global Impact to prepare students guided by Jesuit principles of service, social justice, and excellence to lead non-profits, community-based organizations, social enterprises, and philanthropic organizations.
The only program of its kind in the Bay Area, Santa Clara University is introducing this degree in response to demonstrated local and global needs of a growing social impact sector. The program provides students with hands-on work experience, ongoing mentorship, and development in both leadership and business management–all grounded in a deep commitment to and understanding of the communities in which and with whom we aim to serve.
Program Highlights
Students have the opportunity to work on cutting edge challenges with local and global organizations through experiential components of coursework, internships (both in-person and remote), research projects, and subsequent domestic and international immersion experiences supported by Santa Clara University’s Miller Center for Global Impact.
Gain unparalleled access to distinguished Santa Clara University faculty and experienced leaders from social impact organizations, both large and small. As part of an integrated learning experience, you'll cultivate a strong business acumen and develop a deep understanding of how to create social change and have lasting social impact.
Join a strong cohort of like-minded people who will be with you throughout the program. Together, you will engage in a curriculum tailored to your experiences and needs. The program also culminates in a capstone project designed to expand your leadership skills in areas you want to grow. You'll be able to complete this capstone in your own organization, or we can help you identify an internship within our large network of social impact organizations.
This is a 15-month program designed for the working professional. Courses are held in the evenings to ensure students are able to continue working while pursuing their degree, and students working in social impact organizations can complete their internship / capstone at their place of employment.
Each student will have a designated mentor from Santa Clara University’s Miller Center for Global Impact, a leader in the global social entrepreneurship movement for over 25 years. Students will also have access to an academic advisor and supervision of their capstone project from relevant leaders in the social impact field.
Learn from an extensive network of social impact leaders and investors. As a student, you will unlock networking and learning opportunities with leaders connected to Miller Center for Global Impact, Leavey School of Business, and the School of Education and Counseling Psychology. By pursuing your Social Impact degree at Santa Clara, you’re joining a radiant network of leaders exploring novel, innovative solutions to address persistent and pressing social needs.
Program Details
First cohort begins Fall 2026
39 units and runs 15 months, from September to December of the following year.
Cohort-based model, program starts in the Fall each academic year
While predominantly an in person program, some courses will be offered online to support flexibility and students’ demanding lives as working professionals.
Coursework is taught by professors from the Leavey School of Business, School of Education & Counseling Psychology, and Miller Center for Global Impact. The curriculum follows three core pillars:
- Leadership Development
- Business Management
- Community Engagement
Students will be required to complete an internship placement. This experience is a 3 course sequence administered across three quarters: Spring, Summer, and Fall.
A Closer Look at the Curriculum
The MA in Social Impact curriculum focuses on three core areas, and culminates in an internship.
These courses focus on cultivating the knowledge, skills, and dispositions needed to lead mission and value-driven organizations, including:
- Building and managing great teams,
- Listening and engaging effectively with communities,
- Understanding yourself, your strengths and weaknesses, and your most authentic way of leading others
These courses focus on topics such as:
- Budgeting: Developing and managing budgets for various initiatives
- Financial Planning: Creating long-term financial plans that align with the mission and vision of the organization
- Cost Management: Implementing cost-effective strategies to manage expenses without compromise to quality of services
- Strategic Management:
- Establishing sustainable, long-term growth of the organization
- Positioning the value proposition
- Innovation in business models
- Technological disruption
- Deep grounding in community-engaged work and ensuring social impact work is informed by and grounded in the communities in which we serve
- Deep listening and humility while addressing community needs
- Understanding your own positionality as a leader and how this impacts your capacity to lead organizations and communities, and how best to position yourself in this work
- The required internship experience serves as a “capstone” for the program, and is designed to:
- Assist in vocational discernment
- Deepen leadership practice
- Provide mentored and pedagogically supported engagement with an Ignatian cycle of discernment, action, and reflection on a specific project or initiative within an organization with a mission aligned to the students’ professional goals and aspirations.
- All students will be supported by a site supervisor, practicum instructor, academic advisor, and meet at least four times with a mentor from SCU’s distinguished Miller Center for Global Impact.
- The 20-week course sequence includes:
- Internship placement at either student’s current employer or an organization within the SCU/Miller Center network
- Weekly seminar
- Capstone project and paper to reflect on a portfolio of work from the program and the internship
More About Social Impact
A Growing Field
The social impact sector – broadly including social entrepreneurship, non-profit work, philanthropy, and ESG corporate work – is a rapidly growing field that focuses on expanding the economic power for individuals and families in some of the world’s most challenged communities (e.g., Culwell & Grant, 2016). Some segments of the social impact sector are also simultaneously advancing climate resilience through innovations in clean water, climate-smart agriculture, and renewable energy.
Career Paths
This program provides a unique educational and professional opportunity for those who:
- Seek careers and/or advancement in leadership positions in social entrepreneurship, philanthropy, corporate ESG, nonprofits, educational institutions, or government leadership
- Seek careers and/or advancement in impact-centered research, impact measurement, or other areas powered by data driven solutions
- Are currently working in the above sectors and seek to expand their leadership and business expertise in their roles
Why Santa Clara University?
Quality, Transformative Education
A Santa Clara education gives you more than a degree—it transforms the way you see the world and your place in it. SCU empowers you to help find solutions to global problems and effect change in your own community.
World Renowned Faculty
Students learn from and work alongside faculty that bring diverse experiences, accolades, and perspectives from all over the world to the classroom.
Commitment to Social Justice
Our Jesuit values of ethics, compassion, and social justice informs all that we do at Santa Clara. In all of our course and community work, we are driven by a concern for all members of our society, and especially the most vulnerable.
A Community Like No Other
Joining the Bronco community means you’ll be joining an inclusive community strengthened by different voices, perspectives, and experiences. As both a student and an alum, you’ll feel supported by your fellow classmates, professors, and mentors every step of the way.
Take the Next Step
Contact Us
See our upcoming admissions events, schedule an admissions advising appointment, or send our Admission team (ecpadmissions@scu.edu) an email with any questions.
Register Your Interest:
Interested in applying? Click here to join a mailing list, where you’ll receive updates on when the application opens, deadlines, tuition, and more.