The Chicago Booth Civic Scholars Program offers merit-based scholarships to MBA students who work in a 501(c) designated nonprofit organization or for the government.

The program, funded by a gift from the Neubauer Family Foundation, supports qualified professionals in Booth’s Evening MBA and Weekend MBA Programs.

In addition to taking courses with other MBA students, as a Neubauer Civic Scholar you’ll be part of a cohorted experience and receive specialized programming, dedicated faculty directors, and unique opportunities to engage with industry leaders in the civic space. A partnership with Chicago Booth’s Rustandy Center for Social Sector Innovation ensures that you’ll be equipped with business fundamentals, evidence-based research, and practical experience to bolster your social sector work.

Choose Your MBA Program Format

Chicago Booth has one of the best MBA programs for nonprofit management.

As a Neubauer Civic Scholar, you have the flexibility to choose the Chicago Booth MBA format that best suits your needs.The Evening MBA Program is a good fit for Chicago-area residents who are interested in weeknight classes. The Weekend MBA Program meets on Saturdays and enrolls professionals from the Chicago area and around the country. All programs follow the same curriculum and are taught by the same faculty, but each follows a different schedule.

No matter which Booth MBA program format you choose, you’ll learn from the same world-renowned faculty, enjoy the same transformative academic experience and MBA curriculum, and earn the same MBA degree.

Part-Time MBA Program Overview

Program Event Type Length of Program Classes Courses per Quarter
Evening MBA Gleacher Center in downtown Chicago Average of 2.5–3 years Evenings 6–9 p.m. Average of 2 courses
Weekend MBA Gleacher Center in downtown Chicago Average of 2.5–3 years Saturday 9 a.m.–Noon and/or 1:30–4:30 p.m. Average of 2 courses
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“The Civic Scholars are diverse and highly accomplished. Despite this diversity of backgrounds (or perhaps through it), the scholars share a common passion for excellence in serving and improving lives.”
—Teddy Niedermaier, '21, Neubauer Civic Scholar

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Join an Influential Network

As a Neubauer Civic Scholar, you will join a close-knit group of fellow public and social sector professionals throughout your MBA journey. Together, you will form a supportive network of scholars who will help and encourage each other to grow personally and professionally. 

In both the Evening MBA and Weekend MBA Program, you will broaden your network and meet professionals who work in different roles and fields. Beyond campus, you’ll also have access to our worldwide community of 57,000 Chicago Booth alumni.

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Make an Impact

In addition to having one of the largest Career Services teams among all MBA programs, our students become well equipped to have an immediate impact in their organizations. They learn how to confidently think through problems, implement vetted solutions, and bring others along in a way that guides an organization to success.

Meet Our Current Neubauer Civic Scholars

Faculty Directors

Our Partner: The Rustandy Center

As a Neubauer Civic Scholar, you’ll enjoy a special partnership with the Rustandy Center for Social Sector Innovation, Chicago Booth’s destination for people committed to tackling complex social and environmental problems. The center offers hands-on learning opportunities, supports innovative courses, and pursues research—all with the goal of developing people and practices that have the potential to solve the world’s biggest issues.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE RUSTANDY CENTER

Help us find the Next Generation of Civic Leaders

Tell us about your recommendations: Nominate individuals through our online form or let our team know about candidates and organizations you think we should talk to: admissions@chicagobooth.edu.

Share with your network: Reach out directly to individuals working in the nonprofit or public sectors in Chicago and beyond—or share the opportunity on your LinkedIn and other social media platforms. Download a shareable PDF about the program here.

Civic Scholars Program Stories

Other Research Centers

Neubauer Civic Scholars at Booth have access to several interdisciplinary research centers that fund research, host workshops and conferences, and foster a strong research community. You’ll also have access to courses and faculty at UChicago’s Harris School of Public Policy.

George J. Stigler Center for the Study of the Economy and the State
Dedicated to examining issues at the intersection of politics and the economy, the Stigler Center supports research in the political, economic, and cultural obstacles to better working markets.

Harry L. Davis Center for Leadership
An incubator and proving ground for generating new perspectives on leadership, the Davis Center drives innovation in education and practice and offers a wide variety of opportunities for Booth students to engage and develop their leadership skills.

Questions about the Civic Scholars Program?

View our Frequently Asked Questions

Looking for more information about the Civic Scholars Program?

Request information here

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Begin Your Civic Scholars Journey

The first step in joining our transformational Civic Scholars Program is to apply for admission.

Start Your Application