PHILADELPHIA –- The University of Pennsylvania’s School of Social Policy and Practice will offer a part-time master’s degree in non-profit and non-governmental organization leadership beginning in the fall of 2009.

“Penn is eager to encourage the next generation to take up the leadership mantel in new ways,” Kenwyn Smith, the faculty director for the program, said. “The world needs leaders who dare to dream big, think diligently and act with compassion, integrity and impact.”

Students enrolled in the Master’s in Leadership program come from a variety of career fields, including non-profit and non-governmental organizations, hospitals, social-service agencies and foundations.

“Our hope is that busy professionals, who could not do this on a full-time basis, will join us in this vibrant program dedicated to leadership development,” Eric Ashton, the associate director of the program, said.

Graduates of the non-profit and NGO leadership program are prepared to enter senior-management positions in the non-profit and non-governmental sector, as well as charitable, advocacy and volunteer organizations.

The application deadline for fall enrollment into the part-time M.S. in Nonprofit and NGO Leadership program is May 15.

Additional information about this part-time degree program option or the full-time NPL Program at the School of Social Policy and Practice is available at www.npl.upenn.edu or by contacting Eric Ashton at 215-898-1857.