Social Work, MSW
The Master of Social Work (MSW) Program at the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Social Policy & Practice is one of the oldest and most well-respected social work programs in the country. The program (ranked 8th in the nation by U.S. News and World Report) is designed to prepare social workers for leadership roles in developing and providing services to individuals, families, groups, communities, and organizations in the local, national, and global arenas. Penn’s MSW degree melds cutting-edge innovation with a rich educational tradition rooted in social justice and social change.
For more information: https://www.sp2.upenn.edu/program/master-of-social-work/
Curriculum
| Code | Title | Course Units |
|---|---|---|
| Core Requirements | ||
| SWRK 6010 | History and Philosophy of Social Work and Social Welfare | 1 |
| SWRK 6020 | Human Behavior in the Social Environment | 1 |
| SWRK 6030 | American Racism and Social Work Practice | 1 |
| SWRK 6040 | Foundations of Social Work Practice I | 1 |
| SWRK 6140 | Foundations of Social Work Practice II | 1 |
| SWRK 6150 | Introduction to Social Work Research | 1 |
| SWRK 7130 | Understanding Social Change: Issues of Race and Gender | 1 |
| Select one 7000 level Policy Elective with: Attribute SMWP | 1 | |
| Select one 7000 level Research Option with: Attribute SMWR | 1 | |
| Electives | ||
| Select four electives with at least two credits in the following subjects: | 4 | |
MSSP, SWRK, NPLD | ||
| Concentration | 3 | |
| Choose one of the following concentrations: | ||
| Clinical Practice Concentration | ||
| Advanced Clinical Social Work Practice I | ||
| Advanced Clinical Social Work Practice II | ||
| Mental Health Diagnostics | ||
| Macro Practice Concentration | ||
| Advanced Macro Social Work Practice I | ||
| Advanced Macro Social Work Practice II | ||
| Choose one of the following electives: | ||
| Impacting Government: Policy Analysis & Coalition Building | ||
| Clinical and Macro Child Welfare Practice | ||
| Building Community Capacity | ||
| Strategic Planning & Resource Development for Public & Nonprofit Organizations | ||
| Practice with Youth Who are Marginalized | ||
| Political Social Work | ||
| Global Human Rights & US Immigration: Implications for Policy & Practice | ||
| Supervision and Leadership in Human Services Organizations | ||
| Aging: The Intersection of Policy and Practice | ||
| Postcolonial Social Work Practice: International Social Welfare in India | ||
| Harm Reduction on the Borders: Substance Use and HIV Treatment in Puerto Rico | ||
| Family Economic Mobility: Problems and Policies | ||
| Total Course Units | 16 | |
The degree and major requirements displayed are intended as a guide for students entering in the Fall of 2025 and later. Students should consult with their academic program regarding final certifications and requirements for graduation.
Sample Plan of Study
Penn offers three different MSW program options, enabling students to choose the course of study that best fits with their personal circumstances and career goals: the two-year Full-Time program, the three-year Part-Time program, and the Advanced Standing program. Additionally, the Penn MSW program accepts students from Pennsylvania’s CWEL program.
While students may customize their schedules due to participation in a dual degree or certificate program, enrollment in an international course or study abroad experience, the needs of their practicum placement, or successfully passing a waiver exam, the grid below outlines the standard schedule and course of study for full-time students.
For more information: https://www.sp2.upenn.edu/program/master-of-social-work/
Sample Plan of Study
Below is the standard schedule and course of study for full-time students.
Joint Lectures
Sequences in the MSW program may schedule sequence-wide lectures for all sections at various points in the semester. These lectures feature experts in the field and are a mandatory component of the course(s).
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Course Units | |
| Foundation-year practicum begins in September and ends in April. | ||
| SWRK 6010 | History and Philosophy of Social Work and Social Welfare (may include Joint lectures) 1 | 1.0 |
| SWRK 6020 | Human Behavior in the Social Environment (may include Joint lectures) 1 | 1.0 |
| SWRK 6030 | American Racism and Social Work Practice (may include Joint lectures) | 1.0 |
| SWRK 6040 | Foundations of Social Work Practice I (including Practicum and may include Joint lectures) 2 | 1.0 |
| Course Units | 4.00 | |
| Spring | ||
| SWRK 6140 | Foundations of Social Work Practice II (including Practicum and may include Joint Lectures) 2 | 1.0 |
| SWRK 6150 | Introduction to Social Work Research (may include Joint lectures) 1 | 1.0 |
| Select one 7000 level Policy Elective | 1.0 | |
| Select one of the following: | 1.0 | |
| Mental Health Diagnostics | ||
7000 level Elective | ||
| Course Units | 4.00 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| Advanced-year practicum placement begins in September and ends in April. | ||
| SWRK 7040 or SWRK 7080 | Advanced Clinical Social Work Practice I (including Practicum and may include Joint lectures) 2 or Advanced Macro Social Work Practice I | 1.0 |
| Select two 7000 level electives | 2.0 | |
| Select one 7000 level Research Option | 1.0 | |
| SWRK 7100 | Supervision Seminar 3 | 0.0 |
| Course Units | 4.00 | |
| Spring | ||
| SWRK 7140 or SWRK 7180 | Advanced Clinical Social Work Practice II (including Practicum and may include Joint lectures) 2 or Advanced Macro Social Work Practice II | 1.0 |
| SWRK 7130 | Understanding Social Change: Issues of Race and Gender (may include Joint lectures) | 1.0 |
| Select two 7000 level electives | 2.0 | |
| SWRK 7100 | Supervision Seminar 3 | 0.0 |
| Course Units | 4.00 | |
| Total Course Units | 16.00 | |
- 1
Waiver Exams are offered for SWRK 6010 and SWRK 6020 every August, and for SWRK 6150 every October. Students who score a qualifying grade on a waiver exam for SWRK 6010 and/or SWRK 6020 may take an elective in place of the required course. Students who score a qualifying grade on a waiver exam for SWRK 6150 may take another advanced research course in its place, as all MSW students take two research courses.
- 2
Practice classes are a year-long sequence. Students remain in the same section of SWRK 6040/SWRK 6140 for the entire year, and remain in the same section of SWRK 7040/SWRK 7140 or SWRK 7080/SWRK 7180 for the entire second year.
- 3
Non-credit/non-tuition course. For students without an MSW practicum supervisor.