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Pepperdine | Graduate School of Education and Psychology
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MA in Social Entrepreneurship and Change

Prepare to lead and inspire change in new ventures and existing organizations locally and globally with a degree from one of the nation's first and most respected Master of Arts in Social Entrepreneurship and Change programs.

This program prepares socially conscious individuals to make a lasting impact by analyzing complex social problems, creating sustainable market-based solutions, and improving management and leadership skills. 

Program features: 

  • Bi-coastal completion through on-campus experiences in West LA and Washington DC in addition to online learning.
  • Two-week global immersion opportunity in a developing country, a two-term capstone project, and a fast-pitch competition.
  • Focus on solving real-world problems without the requirements of a traditional business program.

 

Program Benefits

Hybrid Format

Designed for both working professionals and full-time students, this unique hybrid format offers the best features of both in-person and online learning.

Values Centered

Students are empowered to make a lasting impact through GSEP's core values of academic excellence, social purpose, and meaningful service.

Quick Facts

Format: Hybrid (Online and In-Person)
Term: Fall
Location: West LA and Washington, DC
Length: 20 months / 34 units
Tuition: $1,510 per unit

 

 

Not Just Business as Usual

Housed in the school of education, students focus on solving real-world problems rather than the requirements of a traditional business school.

 

Comprehensive Curriculum

Capstone experience and fast-pitch competition along with courses in leadership, management, marketing, finance, global change, and more.

 

Career Opportunities

One of the most versatile and valuable degrees available, offering proficiency in leadership, business, and social enterprise.

 

Global Change Experience

Travel to a developing country and gain a hands-on global perspective of social and community issues through a two-week immersion.

 

No GRE, GMAT, or Other Standardized Tests

We offer an equitable admissions process considering your experience and commitment to success.

 

Cohort Model

Provides an opportunity to engage in meaningful community-building with peers and program leaders.


1st

Institution to Offer a Masters In Social Entrepreneurship

1st

Bi-coastal program in West Los Angeles and Washington, DC

$7K+

Scholarships Available

20

Month Program Completion

40%

of Alumni Are Entrepreneurs in Established Organizations

20%

of Alumni Are Founders or Entrepreneurs

20%

of Alumni Work In Consulting & Foundations

20%

of Alumni Continue to Earn a Doctorate

 

Take the Next Step

Reach out to us to learn more about Pepperdine's MA in Social Entrepreneurship and Change program.

Get in Touch

Fill out the Request Information form to learn more and get in contact with an enrollment officer.

Attend an Info Session

Experience an in-depth overview and meet program leaders.

Start Your Application

Submit the application form early to meet scholarship and enrollment deadlines. It takes fewer than 15 minutes.

 

Deadlines

MAR
26

Fall Term 2024: Priority Application Submit - Submit the application form. You may be eligible to receive an additional $3,000 scholarship.

 

 

campus

Campus Locations: Coast to Coast

This program offers a unique bi-coastal opportunity. Students complete in-person experiences alternating between Pepperdine's West Los Angeles and Washington DC campuses. These convenient locations allow students to immerse themselves in two of the nation's most prominent intersections of entrepreneurship, policy, and social good. 

*Campus locations are subject to enrollment.


financial aid

Scholarships & Financial Aid

Pepperdine GSEP generously offers over $6,000,000 in scholarships every year, with the majority of students receiving financial assistance. There are numerous scholarship opportunities that are both merit and need-based in addition to discounts for meeting application deadlines.

GSEP welcomes federal and state aid eligibility and veteran benefits which may further reduce tuition cost.

The Financial Aid Office is available to answer questions and help you navigate funding your education at GSEP through numerous scholarship, grant, loan, and other opportunities. 

To help determine your total cost of tuition and living expenses for this specific program, please refer to our GSEP tuition calculator. 


students at graduation ceremony

Curriculum Overview

Graduates are prepared to become socially conscious professionals ready to create sustainable change in the issue of their choice through leadership development, cultural and emotional competence, ethical understanding, human-centered learning, global perspectives, business and marketing skills, and a supportive Pepperdine network.

Students analyze complex social problems, create sustainable market-based solutions, and learn management practices such as formulating strategies, leading impactful organizations, and developing business plans that include finance, economic logic, and marketing campaigns.


students studying outside

International and Domestic Student Experiences

  • Build community and lifelong relationships with peers and colleagues through a cohort model. The Pepperdine community extends beyond the SEC program to the larger GSEP and Pepperdine family.
  • A dedicated enrollment services officer will make your admissions process easy and comfortable, with experience in supporting both international and domestic students.
  • We integrate domestic and international students across our campuses. Dedicated support for international students is provided through the Office of International Student Services (OISS).
  • We offer opportunities to participate in University social, sporting, cultural, and spiritual events.
  • Our cohort model is designed to build upon leadership skills, peer support, and lifelong relationships with colleagues.
  • Our partnerships with professional networks and conferences and a robust alumni network further students' growth opportunities.

entrepreneurs installing water pump

Program Details

Students participate in a cohort model and hybrid format that meets over 20 months (five, 15-week terms). Two in-person weekend sessions (Thursday to Saturday) offer a personalized/hands-on approach, relational interaction with peers, and increased quality of learning. Students meet synchronously online every Tuesday evening for two hours.

The second year includes a two-week Global Immersion Experience to cultivate proficiency and impact communities in developing countries.

Learning culminates with a two-term capstone project devising a new social enterprise or related project within an existing organization. Students develop a thorough business plan in collaboration with successful mentors and faculty who are scholar-practitioners and nationally recognized experts. Validated ideas are presented to industry leaders in a "Shark Tank" style Fast Pitch Competition with multiple participants receiving funding to launch their venture. 


bussiness startup meeting

Expand Your Career Possibilities

Career opportunities are expanded considerably for graduates in many professional contexts, including businesses, non-profits, foundations, government and non-government organizations, and others. Proficiency in social, entrepreneurial, leadership, and many other concepts makes this one of the most versatile and valuable master's degrees available.

Alumni and Faculty Spotlight

"By coming to Pepperdine, being exposed to so many other different career opportunities, learning from people in my program that came from different cultures, and hearing their experiences, I think that really transformed me. I came out of the program with a business plan and a business idea, which took a lot of discipline, and I don't think I could have done that on my own if I wasn't part of the program." - Val Esquivel (MA '16), Alumna

 

What Our Alumni Are Saying

 

Susan Cotton headshot

"I had done what I needed to do to learn how to create shareholder value, but what I really wanted was to start to create more significant social value. The SEC program Pepperdine provided perfectly matched what I was looking for."

-Susan Cotton, MA in SEC '15

Nii-Quartelai Quartey headshot

"This program met me where I was in my career as an advocate and activist and as someone looking to develop strategies that address some of the systemic issues that were important to me."

-Nii-Quartelai Quartey,  MA in SEC '12

Why Pepperdine

Passion and Purpose Driven

Since our founding in 1937, Pepperdine University has had one mission: to strengthen students for lives of purpose, service, and leadership in a learning environment where academic excellence is rooted in a Christian faith and values.

Our graduate programs empower students to transform into the best possible expression of themselves for meaningful work and purposeful lives. That legacy is alive today more than ever, as we help students all over the world gain the skills they need to achieve personal fulfillment, lead with purpose, and make a lasting impact in the lives and communities they serve.

Reputable University

GSEP offers prestigious programs at one of the top universities in the US, committed to the highest standards of academic excellence. Consistently ranked as one of the most beautiful places to study, Pepperdine is where you're inspired to learn as you learn to inspire.

#29

Best-Value Schools
U.S. News & Report

#9

Best College Value in the West/SW
Kiplinger

#10

Most Entrepreneurial Universities
Forbes

 

Distinguished Faculty

  • SEC faculty are nationally-recognized scholar-practitioners with exemplary academic achievements, industry expertise, educational experience, and scholarly credentials.
  • Professors are accomplished professionals who balance theory and real-world application in a practitioner-based curriculum informed by their desire to prepare students to make a difference.
  • Average class size of 14 students and a 12:1 faculty-student ratio provides a supportive educational setting, meaningful interactions, and long-term professional and personal connections.

Alumni Network

  • Extensive Pepperdine alumni network creates influential business connections with more than 110,000 professionals. Our alumni network has 32 chapters and affinity programs in the U.S. and abroad.
  • Pepperdine alumni, faculty, staff, and parents make themselves available to offer the resources you need and help graduates build professional, personal, and purposeful relationships with Pepperdine people all over the world.
  • As a Pepperdine alumnus, you have exclusive access to the PeppConnect Mentoring Program, a global network of alumni who are willing to mentor and offer career or industry advice.

Student and Career Support

  • GSEP Student Services supports our rigorous curricula through academic advising, records, writing support, library, student groups, and much more.
  • Students are further supported through our Office of Student Accessibility, world-class facilities, and highly competitive programs, all of which contribute to our exceptional programs and rankings.
  • GSEP Career Services operates from an innovative model of career education and holistic career counseling for today's rapidly changing job market helping students and alumni construct their career narrative, build lifelong employability skills, and connect with alumni and industry leaders.

Veteran and Military Support

Pepperdine has served veterans and their family members for over 75 years and is proud to support nearly 500 enrolled veterans, service members, and dependents. 

As an active participant in the Yellow Ribbon G.I. Education Enhancement Program, we proudly offer tuition support to Yellow Ribbon-eligible students. Pepperdine invests almost $3M annually to help cover 100% of tuition costs for eligible students.

Under the Yellow Ribbon program, Pepperdine in the VA matches all remaining tuition costs. Pepperdine also does not limit the number of eligible students who can utilize the Yellow Ribbon program. 

  Passion and Purpose Driven

Passion and Purpose Driven

Since our founding in 1937, Pepperdine University has had one mission: to strengthen students for lives of purpose, service, and leadership in a learning environment where academic excellence is rooted in a Christian faith and values.

Our graduate programs empower students to transform into the best possible expression of themselves for meaningful work and purposeful lives. That legacy is alive today more than ever, as we help students all over the world gain the skills they need to achieve personal fulfillment, lead with purpose, and make a lasting impact in the lives and communities they serve.

  Reputable University

Reputable University

GSEP offers prestigious programs at one of the top universities in the US, committed to the highest standards of academic excellence. Consistently ranked as one of the most beautiful places to study, Pepperdine is where you're inspired to learn as you learn to inspire.

#29

Best-Value Schools
U.S. News & Report

#9

Best College Value in the West/SW
Kiplinger

#10

Most Entrepreneurial Universities
Forbes

 

  Distinguished Faculty

Distinguished Faculty

  • SEC faculty are nationally-recognized scholar-practitioners with exemplary academic achievements, industry expertise, educational experience, and scholarly credentials.
  • Professors are accomplished professionals who balance theory and real-world application in a practitioner-based curriculum informed by their desire to prepare students to make a difference.
  • Average class size of 14 students and a 12:1 faculty-student ratio provides a supportive educational setting, meaningful interactions, and long-term professional and personal connections.
  Alumni Network

Alumni Network

  • Extensive Pepperdine alumni network creates influential business connections with more than 110,000 professionals. Our alumni network has 32 chapters and affinity programs in the U.S. and abroad.
  • Pepperdine alumni, faculty, staff, and parents make themselves available to offer the resources you need and help graduates build professional, personal, and purposeful relationships with Pepperdine people all over the world.
  • As a Pepperdine alumnus, you have exclusive access to the PeppConnect Mentoring Program, a global network of alumni who are willing to mentor and offer career or industry advice.
  Student and Career Support

Student and Career Support

  • GSEP Student Services supports our rigorous curricula through academic advising, records, writing support, library, student groups, and much more.
  • Students are further supported through our Office of Student Accessibility, world-class facilities, and highly competitive programs, all of which contribute to our exceptional programs and rankings.
  • GSEP Career Services operates from an innovative model of career education and holistic career counseling for today's rapidly changing job market helping students and alumni construct their career narrative, build lifelong employability skills, and connect with alumni and industry leaders.
  Veteran and Military Support

Veteran and Military Support

Pepperdine has served veterans and their family members for over 75 years and is proud to support nearly 500 enrolled veterans, service members, and dependents. 

As an active participant in the Yellow Ribbon G.I. Education Enhancement Program, we proudly offer tuition support to Yellow Ribbon-eligible students. Pepperdine invests almost $3M annually to help cover 100% of tuition costs for eligible students.

Under the Yellow Ribbon program, Pepperdine in the VA matches all remaining tuition costs. Pepperdine also does not limit the number of eligible students who can utilize the Yellow Ribbon program. 

 

Accreditations and Recognitions

wasc logo

Best Value School Logo

AICCU Logo

US News National Universities

US News Best Colleges for Veterans

Yellow Ribbon Program

Contact Us

Katerina Blanchard headshot

Katerina Blanchard
Enrollment Officer
Pepperdine GSEP

310.568.5772
Email 
Schedule an Appointment

Take the Next Step

Learn more about Pepperdine's MA in Social Entrepreneurship and Change program.