The School of Social Work is launching a new and innovative 30-credit Master of Arts degree in Social Impact Leadership. The practice-forward graduate degree is designed for aspiring leaders who are committed to driving meaningful, measurable impact across public, nonprofit and private sectors. 

The new MA will start as a full-time residential program in fall 2026 and offer a part-time online program in fall 2027. 

This program uses an evidence-informed, project-based curriculum to develop professionals who can lead organizational and systemic transformation with a focus on social impact. 

Core courses will provide a conceptual foundation and develop the practical skills necessary for effective leadership, including impact measurement, financial and digital literacy, as well as the relational and people-centered leadership skills essential for today’s complex social challenges. Electives will allow students to tailor their studies based on their unique goals. 

A key element of the program is a year-long community-based problem-solving project. Students will receive mentorship from industry leaders, kickstarting their professional growth through real-world application. The program prepares graduates to work effectively across diverse industries and organizational contexts. 

The program is designed for recent graduates and mid-career professionals who want a social work education with coursework that focuses on leadership instead of licensure. For those who already have an MSW, the MA coursework will allow them to build on their experience and strengthen their skills in finance, management and evaluation. 

Students in the program will have access to the full breadth of University of Michigan resources, including student support services, world-class faculty, extensive alumni networks and access to top-tier graduate courses across campus. Graduates will emerge as forward-thinking innovators equipped with the agility, creativity and analytical skills needed to drive social impact at any scale.

The new MA program teaches how to lead, not just manage, and to focus on creating positive change — leadership that goes beyond the balance sheets and bottom line.

“In an increasingly complex world, effective social change requires not only passion and commitment but also strategic vision, innovative approaches and robust leadership skills,” said School of Social Work Dean Beth Angell. “The new MA program addresses this critical need by equipping students with the skills and knowledge necessary to drive meaningful and sustainable social impact across all sectors.

“We are excited to launch this new degree as a complement to our MSW and to move forward the future of social justice education.”

SSW is a national and global leader in social work research and education and has been ranked No. 1 by U.S. News & World Report for 12 consecutive years. Part of the school’s strength is the broad range of expertise and the resulting wide range of curriculum options.

The school’s faculty have brought a social work lens to tackle some of today’s most pressing problems in a variety of interdisciplinary areas, including finance, public health, education, public policy and the arts. The school’s Community Action and Social Change undergraduate minor is the second most popular minor on the U-M campus.