General Questions

We anticipate launching an online, part-time program in Fall 2027.

The MSIL is a 30-credit program. The MSIL is launching as an in-person, full-time residential/on-campus program in Fall 2026. The residential program is designed as a 2-semester program with students starting in the Fall term and completing the degree at the end of the Winter term. An online version of the program will be available starting in Fall 2027 and will appear as an option on the 27/28 application cycle opening in July 2026.

The MSIL program is built on the premise that impactful leadership is rooted in a deep understanding of social justice, ethical decision-making, and collaborative action. We believe that social impact leaders must be equipped not only with technical skills but also with the values and vision to drive equitable change.

The curriculum integrates cutting-edge leadership theories with real-world challenges, fostering critical thinking and systems-level analysis. Students will learn to navigate complex social issues, build effective partnerships, mobilize resources, and measure the impact of their

Students in the MSIL will develop a blend of practical, analytical, and leadership skills that prepare them to create measurable impact across sectors. Core competencies include:

• Strategic Leadership and Management – the ability to lead teams, design initiatives, and make decisions grounded in equity and social justice.
• Financial and Resource Stewardship – practical skills in budgeting, fundraising, and mobilizing resources for sustainable social impact.
• Impact Measurement and Evaluation – tools to identify metrics, assess outcomes, and communicate results to stakeholders.
  Technology and

Social impact refers to the effect an organization’s or an individual’s actions have on the well-being of the community and the world at large. In the context of social work, social impact is the positive and measurable change a social worker's actions have on individuals, groups, or communities. It's about moving beyond providing a service to creating a lasting, transformative, and systemic positive change that improves people's well-being by addressing a pressing social issue. This can include anything from local improvements to major global shifts.

The Master of Arts in Social Impact Leadership is designed for forward-thinking, solution-seeking, and aspiring leaders committed to driving meaningful, measurable change in organizations, communities, and systems. The MSIL seeks students who aim to work with other like-minded students to build practical skills and leadership capacities in the social impact sector.

If you are looking to expand your skills or translate the experience you already have into a more impactful career, this could align really well. The MSIL will give you skills that will allow you to work in a variety of settings

TOEFL, IELTS, MELAB, or ECPE scores are required for applicants whose native language is not English regardless of their status when applying. Applicants are exempt from submitting a TOEFL, IELTS, MELAB, or ECPE score if they have either 1) earned a degree from an institution where the language of instruction is exclusively English, regardless of country, within two years of applying to the MSW or MA in Social Impact Leadership (MSIL) or 2) studied in the US for two years or more within two years of applying to the MSW or MA in Social Impact Leadership (MSIL). Note that test scores are valid