Our History
At the University of Pennsylvania School of Social Policy & Practice (SP2), we’ve spent more than 110 years preparing leaders to pursue social good, innovation, and impact.
The Roots of SP2
SP2, formerly Penn Social Work, has long been committed to advancing social good and preparing students to take an active role in transforming systems.
SP2’s curriculum integrates research and practice skills; the study of far reaching social policy and pressing social problems; theories and methods of social change; knowledge about human relationships; and collaborative approaches to addressing social challenges.
The world needs leaders – policymakers, practitioners, educators, and activists – equipped with the tools to make a difference. SP2 prepares students to become those leaders, harnessing the power of policy and practice to make lasting, positive social change.
100 YEARS: A CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF THE SCHOOL OF SOCIAL POLICY & PRACTICE(opens in a new tab)
Under the direction of Franklin Pepper, the Children’s Bureau of Philadelphia inaugurates “A Course of Training in Child-Helping” for social work professionals in Philadelphia.
The School works to revise and strengthen the curriculum. To recognize its impact in the field, the School changes its name to The Pennsylvania School for Social Service.
The School responds quickly to the social service needs imposed by the Great Depression. Its name is changed to the Pennsylvania School of Social Work.
The Pennsylvania School of Social Work merges with the University of Pennsylvania, allowing for interdisciplinary study and a critical expansion in its scope of work.
To meet the needs of a growing academic field, the School begins offering an interdisciplinary, research-based PhD in Social Welfare degree.
The School changes its name to Penn Social Policy & Practice (SP2) to reflect a new mission and structure for the future.
A Master of Science in Nonprofit Leadership (NPL) degree is developed to fulfill a growing need for leaders and managers in the social service field.
The Master of Science in Social Policy (MSSP) degree program is established, advancing the mission of SP2 within the policy sector.
Recognizing a need in the profession, SP2 offers the first advanced social work practice degree, the Doctor of Clinical Social Work (DSW).
Launch of the Doctor of Nonprofit Administration (DNPA) Program.
School Leadership
| Dean | Term |
|---|---|
| Kenneth L.M. Pray | 1948 |
| Virginia Robinson (acting) | 1948 |
| William D. Turner | 1948-1957 |
| Ruth E. Smalley (acting 1957-1958) | 1957-1966 |
| Roland J. Artigues (acting) | 1966 – 1967 |
| John S. Morgan | 1967 – 1971 |
| Louise Shoemaker (acting 1971-1973) | 1971 – 1985 |
| Michael Austin | 1985-1992 |
| Peter Vaughan (acting) | 1992 – 1993 |
| Ira Schwartz | 1993 – 2001 |
| Richard Gelles (interim 2001-2003) | 2001 – 2014 |
| John L. Jackson, Jr. | 2014 – 2018 |
| Sara S. Bachman | 2019 – present |