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Executive Master of Nonprofit Administration (EMNA)

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You don’t have to put your career on hold to change the world.

The Executive Master of Nonprofit Administration (EMNA) degree was created to fulfill the needs of full-time nonprofit employees and experienced professionals transitioning to the sector.

EMNA students have a minimum of two years work experience, the motivation to improve their business acumen and a desire to change the world. On average, students have 12 years of nonprofit work experience.

When you graduate from the EMNA program, you’ll not only receive a degree from a legendary nonprofit university renowned for advancing the greater good, you will join a powerful alumni network that can help you affect even more change—no matter the challenges you’ll address in the sector.

Duration:
14 to 60 months

Format & Location:
Part-time on the Notre Dame campus

Start Date:
Early June

Related Programs

Mendoza School of Business
Master of Nonprofit Administration (MNA)

Highlights

Improve your business acumen, improve the world.

As a student in the EMNA program, you will earn a degree from a nationally ranked school of business and acquire insights and strategies to expand the impact of any nonprofit organization with which you choose to work.

Executive MNA faculty

Nationally recognized faculty

Learn from nationally recognized faculty through the perennially ranked Mendoza College of Business.

Executive Masters in Nonprofit Administration classroom.

Blend of online and in-person courses

With a blend of online and in-person courses, you’ll have the best of both worlds: the flexibility to earn a degree on your own terms—and the opportunity to take classes on one of the country’s most iconic campuses.

Executive MNA Field Project

EMNA Field Project

Through the EMNA Field Project, you’ll develop self-direction and leadership skills by implementing solutions in support of your current employer.

Learn more about the student experience from current EMNA candidates:

Mendoza School of Business

What You’ll Learn

You’ll start as a cohort on Notre Dame’s campus the first summer, then take fall and spring courses online. A total of 10 weeks of campus classes across 2-5 summers is required; Begin the first summer with two or four weeks of curriculum.

Through courses like Board Relations and Management, Financial Management and Fund Development, you’ll acquire insights and strategies to expand the impact of the work you do every day.

Finally, through your capstone EMNA Field Project, you will apply the lessons you’ve learned in the program toward solving real business needs within your nonprofit organization.

Mendoza School of Business

Faculty Spotlights

The Notre Dame Executive MNA faculty blend academic excellence, real-world experience, and a dedication to mentorship. With expertise in business, decision analysis and statistics, management communication, and ethical leadership, they empower you to drive organizational growth, foster mission-driven strategies, and lead with integrity to create lasting impact in the nonprofit sector.Learn more about our faculty.

A headshot of Dr. Angela Logan
Dr. Angela Logan

Teaching Professor and the St. Andre Bessette Academic Director of the Master of Nonprofit Administration Courses Include: Field Project, Directed Readings, and Intersection of Business & Nonprofits

Jamie (James) O'Brien
James O'Brien

Teaching Professor Courses Include: Nonprofits' Legal Environment

Kristen Collett-Schmitt headshot
Kristen Collett-Schmitt

Associate Dean for the Undergraduate and Specialized Master’s Programs, Teaching Professor Courses Include: Economics

James O'Rourke
James S. O'Rourke

Teaching Professor Courses Include: Management Communication

Kelly Rubey headshot
Kelly Rubey

Associate Teaching Professor Courses Include: Leadership

Jennifer Waddell headshot
Jennifer Waddell

Assistant Department Chair, Director of Undergraduate Studies in the ITAO Department, Teaching Professor Courses Include: Decision Analysis & Statistics

Joe Urbany
Joe Urbany

Professor of marketing Courses Include: Marketing for Nonprofits

Aimee Cole-Laramore
Aimee Cole-Laramore

Adjunct Assistant Teaching Professor Courses Include: Fund Development, Board Relations & Management

John Michel headshot
John Michel

Associate Teaching Professor Courses Include: Planning & Policy

Jessica McManus Warnell
Jessica McManus Warnell

Teaching Professor Courses Include: Ethics in Nonprofit Organizations

Tuition & Aid

The Notre Dame Executive Master of Nonprofit Administration (EMNA) offers one of the best returns on investment for nonprofit leaders seeking to elevate their impact. The program’s commitment to affordability and accessibility is supported program-sponsored scholarships and partnerships with nonprofit employers, making it possible for mission-driven professionals to advance their education without sacrificing their dedication to service.

Tuition for the Executive Master of Nonprofit Administration varies by enrollment status and program length, but is designed to be a manageable investment for working professionals.

Tuition for the 2025–2026 academic year is $3,780 per 3-credit course, or $1,260 per credit hour.

Financing Your Education

Many EMNA students fund their education through a combination of Notre Dame-sponsored fellowships, external nonprofit and foundation scholarships, personal income or savings, and graduate student loans, including both private and federal options. While some students receive financial support from their nonprofit employer or board, employer sponsorship is not required to apply or enroll in the program.

Mendoza School of Business

Career Development

Take your career to the next level, and serve a greater good.

According to The Financial Times, Mendoza’s Global Alumni Network ranks #4 in the world.

Enhance your sphere of influence by connecting with experienced nonprofit classmates who share your desire to do meaningful work. Grow in and out of the classroom with faculty passionate about and dedicated to nonprofit management.

More than 90% of students are employed full-time and have access to alumni job postings.

Admission

The Executive Master of Nonprofit Administration (EMNA) program is tailored for working professionals with at least two years of work experience in the nonprofit sector. Due to the hybrid structure of the EMNA program, Notre Dame is unable to support student visas for this program.

RoundApplication DeadlineDecision ReleaseConfirmation Deadline
(typically 30 days)
Early ActionSept. 5, 2024Oct. 18, 2024Nov. 18, 2024
Round 1Oct. 15, 2024Dec. 13, 2024Jan. 13, 2025
Round 2Jan. 7, 2025Mar. 14, 2025Apr. 15, 2025
Round 3Mar. 17, 2025May 2, 2025Jun. 2, 2025
Round 4May 6, 2025Rolling30 days after decision
Mendoza School of Business
Mendoza School of Business

EMNA Voices

Hear from the EMNA community featuring insights about life as a student, experiences that shape your Mendoza journey, and the impact a EMNA degree can have on your career.

Visit Us

When considering a decision as important as where to pursue your master’s degree, a campus visit will help give you the insight you need to make the right choice.

It’s a chance for you to get to know Notre Dame and for us to get to know you.

Our students tell us that visiting the campus greatly impacted their decision to attend Notre Dame. Your visit can include:

  • Connecting with the admissions team
  • A tour of the Mendoza College of Business

Register for an Upcoming Campus Visit

 

Attend an Event

Webinars & Information Sessions

Throughout the year, our admissions team offers webinars, information sessions and Q&A opportunities to help you understand our community and the opportunities the Executive MNA offers.

Wed Apr 16
EMNA and MNA Small Group Chat
Wed Apr 23
Executive MNA Program Overview
Wed May 14
Executive MNA (EMNA) Program Overview Webinar
All Events