SSL Curriculum Maps and Courses

Chart Your Course in the SSL Program

The University of Chicago Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice offers a variety of pathways within the Social Sector Leadership and Nonprofit Management (SSL) program to fit your schedule and goals. Whether choosing the full-time or part-time program or exploring a dual degree, each option provides a clear structure designed to help you succeed. Explore the curriculum maps and course offerings to find the best fit for your professional journey and career ambitions.


 

Learn From Expert Instructors, Empowered to Lead Change and Impact
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Alan Zarychta wearing a tie and suit jacket in front of library shelves
Alan Zarychta
Associate Professor

Zarychta's research focuses on the politics of social services in Central and South America, especially in the areas of public health and environmental policy. Most broadly, he investigates the sources and effects of institutional reforms aiming to improve local service delivery—how public sector reforms are targeted, the contextual conditions that shape their effectiveness, and whether such reforms can fundamentally alter local governance systems.

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Jennifer Mosley, a female-presenting person, smiles towards the camera in a library.
Jennifer E Mosley
Professor; Editor, Social Service Review; Faculty Director, UChicago Obama Foundation Scholars Program

Mosely researches the role of nonprofit organizations as political actors, specifically the role human service organizations, community-based nonprofits, and philanthropic foundations play in advocating for or implementing policy change that affects underrepresented populations.

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Grisel Maldonado
Lecturer

Grisel Maldonado is a social impact strategist and educator committed to advancing equitable systems and empowering organizations to achieve transformative change. With a career rooted in addressing systemic inequities, Grisel has established multiple postsecondary success initiatives that equip youth of color with the tools to achieve their highest aspirations.

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Nicole Marwell, a female-presenting person, smiles towards the camera in a library.
Nicole P. Marwell
Professor and Faculty Director, SSL Program

Marwell's research examines a range of questions about urban governance, with a focus on the diverse intersections between nonprofit organizations, government bureaucracies, communities, and politics. 

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Woman in white shirt with pink and white dots with a ponytail smiling
Torishana Johnson-Nino
Lecturer

Dr. T.J. Niño is not your run-of-the-mill academic—she’s a powerhouse in organizational leadership, with a knack for transforming businesses and inspiring people to think bigger and bolder. With more than 16 years of experience in the trenches, she’s a strategic disruptor (in the best way).

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Womn in grey suit with with striped shirt smiling outdoors with glasses
Laura Thrall
Lecturer

Laura Thrall brings more than 35 years of leadership experience in the nonprofit sector to her consulting engagements and roles as both a corporate and nonprofit board director and lecturer. A four-time CEO, Thrall previously served as CEO for D.C.-based Epilepsy Foundation of America, CureSearch for Children’s Cancer, United Way of Metropolitan Chicago, and YWCA of Metropolitan Chicago.

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Woman in white shirt standing with hands on her hips with a floral skirt on outdoors
Jessyca Dudley
Lecturer

Jessyca Dudley is reimagining the role of wealth in society, creating pathways where capital actively supports community-driven progress and equitable systems. A 2024 Crain's Chicago Business Notable Black Leader and prestigious Just Economy Institute Fellow, she is recognized as a leader in economic systems change and equitable wealth distribution.

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Woman in blue dress smiling in front of a window
Mary Elizabeth Graettinger
Lecturer

Elizabeth has supported government agencies, non-profits, and philanthropy to accelerate and expand social impact. She specializes in long term projects to design, launch, and scale promising efforts – conducting critical, ongoing functions like research, community engagement, program design & evaluation, data capacity building, and partner engagement.

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Woman in red smiling
Kate Attea
Senior Lecturer and Associate Director of the Social Sector Leadership Program

Kate is a certified professional coach and accomplished strategy consultant; for 25 years she has honed her expertise in strategy, executive leadership, and entrepreneurship. She consults high-performing foundation and nonprofit leaders on growth strategy, management, and implementation planning.