MASTER OF SCIENCE IN
SOCIAL Policy
Create policy solutions that increase equality, promote equity, and forge enduring social change.
The Master of Science in Social Policy (MSSP) Program empowers you to evaluate, create, and execute critically oriented, evidence-informed policy solutions in government and non-government settings. You’ll experience an innovative curriculum, gain access to expert faculty, and engage in intensive real-world experiences that will prepare you to drive meaningful change in health, housing, education, immigration, and beyond.
For students interested in enhancing their studies with a certificate that prepares them to leverage data analytics for social policy, SP2 also offers the MSSP+Data Analytics (MSSP+DA) program.
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Director’s Welcome
“You will become part of a vibrant and diverse community of scholars who share your passion for social change.”
World-Class Faculty
The MSSP program faculty are here to help you shape your own area of policy expertise, drawing on decades of scholarship, teaching, and experience in areas including education and social policy, homelessness, integrated database systems, the labor market, and global culture.
The SP2 Difference
Complete your degree full time (11 months) or part time (2.5 years)
Gain hands-on, career-focused experience through a 150-hour policy internship
Tailor your studies through interdisciplinary electives throughout Penn
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Acquire skills in research and evaluation, quantitative and qualitative reasoning, and policy communication
Receive highly individualized advising and attention
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Become part of a diverse global alumni network
Curriculum
Through the coursework, you’ll learn a combination of theory, policy analysis, policy research, and evaluation methods using a variety of analytical tools. You’ll also gain real-world, practical experience through a 150-hour policy internship. Through the MSSP Program, you’ll become a socially minded and justice-oriented policy professional able to instill effective, positive change.
You may choose three elective courses to maximize breadth in multiple substantive policy areas or to specialize your degree in an area of social policy analysis and conduct further research. One of your three electives must be an MSSP Theory Elective, which enhances your critical thinking and analysis skills and enables you to apply critical theory within the realm of social policy analysis.
The remaining elective courses may be taken either at the School of Social Policy or at any of the 12 graduate schools at Penn. For more information on selecting elective courses, please visit the Resources Page.
Full-Time
The course grid reflects the 10 course unit required course of study for MSSP students to ensure on-time graduation. Occasional scheduling alterations may be made on an individual basis with the approval of an academic advisor. Dual degree students should reference the course outline listed on the dual degree webpage.
1st Semester (Fall)
- MSSP 6280: Policy: Analysis of Issues, Strategy and Process (1 CU)
- MSSP 6300: Quantitative Reasoning (1 CU)
- MSSP 6680: Economics for Social Policy (1 CU)
Choose two of the following three options:
- MSSP 6290: Research & Evaluation Design (1 CU)
- MSSP Theory Elective (1 CU)
- Elective (1 CU)
5 CU
2nd Semester (Spring)
- MSSP 6310: Law and Social Policy (1 CU)
- MSSP 8970: Applied Linear Modeling (1 CU)
- MSSP 6320: Capstone Seminar I : Policy Communications (0.5 CU)
Choose two of the following three options:
- MSSP 6290: Research & Evaluation Design (1 CU)
- MSSP Theory Elective (1 CU)
- Elective (1 CU)
4.5 CU
3rd Semester (Summer)
- MSSP 6330: Capstone Seminar II: Policy Internship (0.5 CU)
0.5 CU
Under certain approved circumstances, the Policy Internship may be completed in the spring semester, along with the Capstone I class. Please note that students who utilize federal financial aid should consult with the Office of Financial Aid and the Internship Advisor to discuss the timing of their internship.
Students are required to take MSSP 6290, one approved MSSP Theory Elective, and two approved elective courses. These courses can be distributed across the fall and spring semesters as noted by the course grid.
Part-Time
This course grid reflects the 10 course unit required course of study for MSSP students. The part-time configuration can be completed in 2-3 years. Occasional scheduling alterations may be made on an individual basis with the approval of an academic advisor. Dual degree students should reference the course outline listed on the dual degree webpage.
1st Semester (Fall)
- MSSP 6280: Policy: Analysis of Issues, Strategy & Process (1 CU)
- MSSP 6290: Research and Evaluation Design (1 CU) OR MSSP Theory Elective
2 CU
2nd Semester (Spring)
- MSSP 6310: Law and Social Policy (1 CU)
- MSSP 6290: Research and Evaluation Design (1 CU) OR MSSP Theory Elective (1 CU)
2 CU
3rd Semester (Summer)
- Elective (1 CU)
- Elective (1 CU)
2 CU
4th Semester (Fall)
- MSSP 6680: Economics for Social Policy (1 CU)
- MSSP 6300: Quantitative Reasoning (1 CU)
2 CU
5th Semester (Spring)
- MSSP 6320: Capstone I: Policy Communications (0.5 CU)
- MSSP 8970: Applied Linear Modeling (1 CU)
- MSSP 6330: Capstone II: Policy Internship* (0.5 CU)
1.5 or 2 cu
6th Semester (Summer)
- MSSP 6330: Capstone II: Policy Internship* (0.5 CU)
0 or 0.5 cu
The Policy Internship may be completed in the spring semester, along with the Capstone I class. OR, the Policy Internship may be done in the summer, upon completion of all course work.
Social Policy Internship
You’ll hone your policy analysis skills and gain valuable work experience through the required 150-hour policy internship, typically completed the summer after you finish your coursework. This internship is tailored to your interests and past social policy experiences and can be completed anywhere in the world. You may even be able to complete the internship at your current place of employment.
Ready to join the MSSP community?
FEATURED ALUMNI
Matthew Miclette, MSSP ’17
“As a nurse, I came to Penn’s School of Social Policy & Practice (SP2) for the unique opportunity to interface with not only the social work community, but also the medical community through my dual MPH track. What I did not expect was the opportunity to work and learn from a diverse group of students and staff across the University, which expanded my understanding of how I can make an impact on the health and wellbeing of the populations I serve. I encourage students to take opportunities available through the Penn community and never say no to an opportunity while at SP2 — they will not regret it!”
Related News
Alumni
05/17
SP2 honors five accomplished social change agents at 2024 Alumni Hall of Fame Ceremony
Five distinguished alumni were celebrated at the 2024 SP2 Alumni Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Friday, May 17. The event marked the sixth year that the School has honored alumni through the SP2 Hall of Fame.
Student Life
02/19
SP2 and National Education Equity Lab launch high school course in social work and social policy
This spring, underserved high school students engaged in the National Education Equity Lab will have the opportunity to learn about career paths in social work and social policy from experts at SP2.
Faculty & Research
09/14
Working to understand & prevent intimate partner violence: A Q&A with Assistant Professor Millan AbiNader
A long-time advocate for survivors of gender-based violence, Millan AbiNader, MSW, PhD, is a mixed-methods researcher and macro social worker who seeks to understand how systems and communities affect individuals' experiences of gender-based violence. AbiNader began working as a victim services advocate as a college student and aims to stay connected to those roots as she leads research that supports survivor healing and perpetrator change.
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MSSP Program