Social Enterprise

Start your standout story.

Social Enterprise

Interested in starting a business or nonprofit that makes a difference? Eager to invest in ministry that honors God and serves others? As a student of social enterprise, you’ll move beyond the basics of nonprofit operations to learn key business skills, like working with balance sheets and employee management. You’ll also apply those skills in the real world when you complete a semester-long internship with a mission, ministry, nonprofit or socially-minded business.

Major requirements

Social Enterprise
Why NWC?

Why NWC?

As a social enterprise major, you’ll learn from faculty in a wide variety of disciplines—including profs who have served as ministry leaders and social researchers. Courses vary from fundraising for mission and spiritual formation to accounting and public relations. We’ll help you discern the reasons why you are pursuing change, while also teaching you how to make your vision a reality.

CONTACT
Dr. Jason Lief
Dr. Jason Lief
Professor of Biblical + Theological Studies

Career Outlook

Equipped with valuable business and theology tools, you’ll be ready for a career with an existing nonprofit organization—or you could start your own. Social enterprise majors are well-suited to church ministry positions, work with after-school programs or social services, fundraising roles, and employment with a B Corp like Patagonia or Allbirds. Whatever path you pursue, a social enterprise degree will prepare you for business-minded work that invests in communities and makes a difference.

Career Outlook

Experience

Lead + serve

Lead + serve

Northwestern’s campus ministry program is committed to involving students in service and mission—in fact, more than 60% of students volunteer each year. Join the Justice + Service Team to minister to local neighbors, or participate in a short-term mission experience through a Spring Service Partnership or Summer of Service.

Enhanced cultural IQ

Enhanced cultural IQ

Our mission + justice minor is designed to enhance your understanding of other cultures and provide practical ministry tools for serving those on society’s margins.

Campuswide events featuring speakers from around the globe will also give you opportunities to hear from Christian leaders who are pursuing justice in their own communities.

Nonprofit management

Nonprofit management

If social enterprise coursework excites you but you’re not sure you want to pursue a full major, consider a minor in nonprofit management. Nonprofit management is a great complement to a wide variety of majors and teaches the practicalities of running a nonprofit or for-profit organization.

Center for Innovation & Leadership

Center for Innovation & Leadership

The Center for Innovation & Leadership connects students with area professionals, offers micro-credentials, and hosts the Impact Competition, where students pitch ideas for making a difference on campus and in the community.

Study abroad

Study abroad

With Northwestern’s Romania Semester, you’ll join in the work of New Horizons Foundation, a nonprofit that uses adventure education programs to help Romanian youth develop responsibility, teamwork and trust.

Bachelor's + beyond

Bachelor's + beyond

If you’d like to take your business knowledge to the next level, you can apply to Northwestern’s Master of Business Administration program after graduation. Our 100% online program can be completed in as little as one year, giving you the critical skills necessary for managerial roles and increasing your value as an employee.

Lead + serve

Northwestern’s campus ministry program is committed to involving students in service and mission—in fact, more than 60% of students volunteer each year. Join the Justice + Service Team to minister to local neighbors, or participate in a short-term mission experience through a Spring Service Partnership or Summer of Service.

Enhanced cultural IQ

Our mission + justice minor is designed to enhance your understanding of other cultures and provide practical ministry tools for serving those on society’s margins.

Campuswide events featuring speakers from around the globe will also give you opportunities to hear from Christian leaders who are pursuing justice in their own communities.

Nonprofit management

If social enterprise coursework excites you but you’re not sure you want to pursue a full major, consider a minor in nonprofit management. Nonprofit management is a great complement to a wide variety of majors and teaches the practicalities of running a nonprofit or for-profit organization.

Center for Innovation & Leadership

The Center for Innovation & Leadership connects students with area professionals, offers micro-credentials, and hosts the Impact Competition, where students pitch ideas for making a difference on campus and in the community.

Study abroad

With Northwestern’s Romania Semester, you’ll join in the work of New Horizons Foundation, a nonprofit that uses adventure education programs to help Romanian youth develop responsibility, teamwork and trust.

Bachelor's + beyond

If you’d like to take your business knowledge to the next level, you can apply to Northwestern’s Master of Business Administration program after graduation. Our 100% online program can be completed in as little as one year, giving you the critical skills necessary for managerial roles and increasing your value as an employee.