School of Social Policy & Practice
The passionate pursuit of social good, innovation, and impact.
For more than 110 years, the University of Pennsylvania School of Social Policy & Practice (SP2) has been a powerful force for good in the world. Through research, academics, and engagement, the School drives innovation in policy and practice that creates lasting impact and develops leaders committed to tackling society's most complex social challenges in pursuit of social good.
SP2 is where you come not just to learn social work, social policy, or nonprofit leadership but to help determine the future of these fields. This personalized attention, combined with Penn's world-class resources, prepares students for lives situated in complexity, and equips them for personal fulfillment and societal contribution as complete individuals ready to shape and lead in pursuit of social good, innovation, and impact.Small cohorts create direct relationships — faculty and staff recognize students' unique strengths, experiences, and goals, providing personalized mentorship throughout their journey
- Faculty advise policymakers, lead national research, and publish breakthrough work that drives progress in areas like climate inequality, health and well‑being, AI and big data, economic security, and philanthropy
- 98% of students receive financial assistance and tailored support at every step from SP2's dedicated financial aid team
- 7,800+ alumni network creating pathways to impact
- Integrates three distinct disciplines under one roof—social work, social policy, and nonprofit leadership
- 8 research centers conduct innovative work on complex social challenges
- 250,000+ annual internship and practicum hours at major health systems, nonprofits, and mission-driven organizations across greater Philadelphia
- Ranked #8 nationally by U.S. News & World Report for Best Graduate School of Social Work
- 110+ years of preparing leaders who make an impact
Our academic programs:
- Master of Social Work (MSW): Become an effective, compassionate social worker committed to impact and the pursuit of social good.
- Master of Science in Social Policy (MSSP): Create policy solutions that advance enduring social change. Program option: MSSP+DA focuses on data analytics for social policy.
- Master of Science in Nonprofit Leadership (NPL): Prepare to lead visionary nonprofit organizations working to make meaningful change.
- Doctorate in Clinical Social Work (DSW): Advance your clinical expertise to become a leader in social work practice, research, and education.
- Doctorate in Nonprofit Administration (DNPA): Strengthen your leadership to shape the future of the nonprofit sector.
- PhD in Social Welfare: Pursue rigorous research to address complex social challenges and become a leader in academic, research, and policy-focused environments.
Learn more about SP2’s leadership.
Learn more about SP2’s history.
Faculty & Research
Research at SP2 upholds Penn’s commitment to engage locally and globally and is led by renowned faculty who are highly respected practitioners, educators, and mentors. Internationally regarded for producing cutting-edge research, our distinguished scholars, practitioners, and policy advisors bring a broad range of real-world expertise and interdisciplinary focus to the classroom setting. The research of the SP2 faculty is transforming policy and shaping best practices while stretching across the social sciences and the humanities in ways that link nuanced methodological inquiries and important research questions to attempts at real-world problem-solving.
SP2 faculty members are readily available to our students. They are inspirational instructors and supportive mentors and advisors, helping students learn to approach problems in innovative and creative ways.
SP2 is also home to a number of transdisciplinary and collaborative research centers and initiatives. Students, faculty, and collaborators connect to further groundbreaking scholarship in areas such as philanthropy, aging, social impact, children’s policy, violence and abuse, and guaranteed income. Our research centers and initiatives advance knowledge that drives social good and social innovation on international, national, and local levels.
Outreach and Engagement
Philadelphia is a big place grappling with big challenges. It’s home to nonprofits, hospitals, and social service agencies doing innovative work, and SP2 is an important part of this ecosystem; students spend a combined 250,000 hours each year making a difference in the community. All master’s students hone their skills and do their part to advance the social good here in the city and beyond.
Social Work Practicum
Practicum education is an integral part of the Master of Social Work (MSW) curriculum, allowing students to encounter real-world learning experiences directly related to their classroom curriculum. By working with SP2’s partner agencies, students gain the opportunity to test what they have learned as a means of evaluating their own social work practice. MSW students must complete two internships in social service. We have an ever-evolving database of over 900 agencies and strive to have varied learning opportunities for students that include, among many areas of practice, child welfare, health, and education.
Practicum education is systematically designed, supervised, and evaluated based on criteria developed in accordance with the Council on Social Work Education standards. Practicum placement provides students with:
- Learning experiences directly related to the academic/classroom curriculum;
- Opportunities to test what they have learned; and
- Means of evaluating their own social work practice.
Student experiences in practicum practice are also integrated into classroom work and learning.
Social Policy Practicum
Students in the Master of Science in Social Policy program will hone policy analysis skills and gain valuable work experience through the required policy practicum. This practicum is tailored to students’ interests and past social policy experiences and can be completed anywhere in the world.
During the policy practicum, students have the opportunity to gain real-world experience and apply classroom learning and research skills. Practicum activities may include policy analysis, data analysis, research, policy-making, advocacy, policy implementation, policy communications, and policy evaluation activities. Practicums span all types of agencies and organizations, including nonprofits, research institutions, advocacy organizations, think tanks, state and local government, federal government, for-profit institutions, and private foundations.
Nonprofit Leadership Practicum
The Nonprofit Leadership Practicum enhances Master of Science in Nonprofit Leadership students’ understanding of leadership in nonprofits and social enterprises and fosters a commitment by nonprofit leaders to cultivate the next generation of transformative leaders. During the practicum, students witness leadership in action and benefit from individual mentoring and leadership development.
Students will either complete a placement experience, consisting of a minimum of 250 hours of practicum time, or a mentor-only experience. Practicum experiences can be in-person, hybrid, or virtual at local, national, or international organizations.