Program in Social Work
School of Social Policy and Practice
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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University of Pennsylvania - Program in Social Work - Overview
The University of Pennsylvania's School of Social Policy & Practice Prepares Students to be Leaders for Social Change
Penn Social Policy & Practice (SP2) prepares students to be leaders for social change in their chosen discipline (i.e., social work, social policy, non-profit leadership, or social welfare). The master's and doctoral programs encourage students to think and work across disciplines, cultures, and national boundaries in their pursuit of social justice.
The Penn Approach is a set of guiding principles that supports individuals who work to advance social justice by valuing diversity and working to create a world with a more equitable distribution of social, political, and economic resources by working toward the elimination of social oppression. For over a century, the school has been committed to exposing students to a variety of perspectives related to social work practice, social change, social policy, research, racism and oppression, and the nature of human behavior in the social environment. By combining a respect for the past with an analysis of current professional issues, students are encouraged to generate knowledge with an eye toward the future and a commitment to social change.
Penn Social Policy & Practice offers five degree programs: Master of Social Work (M.S.W.); M.S. in Nonprofit/NGO Leadership; M.S. in Social Policy; Doctorate in Clinical Social Work; and Ph.D. in Social Welfare. In addition, students in the M.S.W. program may pursue one of eleven dual-degree programs with other graduate and professional programs at the University of Pennsylvania.
Students at Penn Social Policy & Practice Enjoy Philadelphia's Benefits and Engage Locally to Improve Social Conditions
Penn's 280-acre campus is located in Philadelphia, in a neighborhood known as University City. Students enjoy the benefits of Philadelphia, a historic city and vibrant cultural center that infuses Penn with the energy of urban life. Students enjoy museums, galleries, theater, dance, music, historical landmarks, the cuisine of renowned chefs, and the infamous Philly cheese steak.
In addition to the numerous cultural opportunities, students have the opportunity to complete field placements/internships in a variety of social service and social policy settings and with nonprofit organizations that are only available in an urban environment such as Philadelphia. Penn has a strong partnership with many local communities to involve students in improving the surrounding areas. The university seeks to promote safe neighborhoods, attract and support area businesses, encourage homeownership, and improve public education.
Penn believes strongly that knowledge should be put to use, and thus encourages not only students, but also faculty, staff, and alumni to contribute time to campus and city initiatives.
Penn Social Policy & Practice Students Obtain Degrees in Social Work, Nonprofit Leadership, Social Policy, and Social Welfare
Penn's Social Policy & Practice offers five degree programs. The Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) program is fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education and prepares social worker students for leadership roles in both the clinical and macro arenas. The four other degree programs are the Master of Science in Nonprofit/NGO Leadership (M.S.); Master of Science in Social Policy (M.S.); Ph.D. in Social Welfare (Ph.D.); and Doctorate in Clinical Social Work (D.S.W.).
M.S.W. Students with Interdisciplinary Interests May Choose From Eleven Dual-Degree Programs
Penn's M.S.W. program promotes interdisciplinary collaboration by offering eleven dual-degree programs in partnership with other professional and graduate programs at the University of Pennsylvania. Dual-degree programs offered with the Master of Social Work degree include: the Bachelor of Arts (B.A./M.S.W.); Juris Doctor (M.S.W./J.D.); Master of Business Administration (M.S.W./M.B.A.); Master of Bioethics (M.S.W./M.B.E.); Master of City Planning (M.S.W./M.C.P.); Master of Public Administration (M.S.W./M.P.A.); Master of Public Health (M.S.W./M.P.H.); Master of Science in Criminology (M.S.W./M.S.); Master of Science in Education (M.S.W./M.Ed.); Master of Science in Social Policy (M.S.W./M.S.P.); and the Ph.D. in Social Welfare (M.S.W./Ph.D.).
Students Interested in SP2 Graduate Programs May Apply For a Variety of Financial Aid Scholarships
Penn has over $2 million in financial aid available to students each year A variety of scholarships are available for prospective graduate students, with a full list available the school or departmental website. The Clinical D.S.W. does not offer any scholarships or fellowships.