Admissions
SP2 is looking for the next leaders in social work, social policy, and nonprofit leadership–discover what it takes to apply to one of our 6 master’s and doctoral programs.
Director of Admissions Welcome
“The Admissions Office at Penn SP2 is committed to guiding prospective students through the application process with care, clarity, and personalized support. We help students envision their path to SP2 and the impact they can make as leaders addressing today’s most complex social challenges.”
– Adiza M. Ezell, MSW, Director of Admissions & Recruitment
Application Deadlines
| Program | Deadline | Application Fee |
|---|---|---|
| MSW, MSSP, and NPL | Priority Deadline: December 1 Final Deadline: February 1 | $25 |
| DSW | February 15 | $65 |
| DNPA | February 15 | $65 |
| PhD | December 1 | $80 |
Application deadlines are subject to change. Always verify current deadlines in our How to Apply section before submitting your application.
What SP2 Students Say
Frequently Asked Questions
SP2 does not specify a minimum GPA requirement but a GPA of 3.0 is recommended for applicants seeking to be competitive. Admissions decisions are holistic and consider your academic record, professional experience, personal statement, and letters of recommendation. Strong applicants demonstrate both academic ability and relevant experience in social work or policy.
No. Penn SP2 does not require GRE scores for any of its graduate programs. Our holistic admissions process focuses on your academic history, professional experience, writing ability, and potential to contribute to the field of social work and social policy.
Yes. All of our master’s programs offer part-time enrollment options designed for working professionals. Part-time students take a reduced course load each semester. Contact the Admissions office to discuss scheduling options for your specific program of interest.
Yes. SP2 offers merit scholarships to eligible students. Applicants who request aid are automatically considered for institutional aid upon the admission application process. Students are also encouraged to explore external funding through outside scholarship and employer tuition benefits.
Eligibility for the SP2 merit scholarship is determined through the admission application. Applicants who answer “yes” to the question asking whether they intend to apply for school-based financial aid are automatically considered for the scholarship.
Yes. You may apply to multiple SP2 programs in the same admissions cycle. Each application requires a separate application fee and a complete set of supporting materials tailored to that program’s requirements.
Deadlines vary by program. Please refer to the table above.
Yes. SP2 welcomes applications from international students worldwide, visit our International Students admissions page for more information about program-specific policies and requirements.
| Program | Deadline | Application Fee |
|---|---|---|
| MSW, MSSP, and NPL | Priority Deadline | $25 |
| Final Deadline | $65 | |
| DSW | Final Deadline | $65 |
| DNPA | Final Deadline | $65 |
| PhD | Final Deadline | $80 |
Fee waivers may be available for eligible applicants – contact the Admissions Office for details.
