PHILADELPHIA
A diverse, world-class city rich with opportunity to make a meaningful impact.
The School of Social Policy & Practice (SP2) is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, a diverse and dynamic city ripe with opportunity for students pursuing careers in social work and social policy.
Philly 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. Our students are everywhere—honing their skills and doing their part to take action against inequities of all kinds here in the city and beyond.
![Building with fountain and park](https://sp2.upenn.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/74021-1024x676.jpg)
Faculty News
Faculty Making a Difference
Our world-renowned faculty are dedicated to making a difference in our own backyard, from conducting innovative research on how to better serve the city’s homeless population to how policy can be re-envisioned to protect Philadelphia’s LGBTQ+ youth.
Student Stories
Students Impacting Philly
Our students are making big changes here in Philadelphia—from working one-on-one with domestic violence survivors to conducting innovative research on how social systems impact the health of marginalized community members.
![Student in red t-shirts standing outside](https://sp2.upenn.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/photo-136-1024x768.jpg)
Actionable Intelligence for Social Policy
This SP2 initiative empowers students and faculty to help state and local governments collaborate and responsibly leverage data to improve lives in Philadelphia and beyond.
Tracking COVID Relief Funding
The Center for High Impact Philanthropy has established a regional COVID response dashboard to help funders in Southeastern Pennsylvania and Southern New Jersey plan beyond initial relief efforts.
Living in Philadelphia
Philadelphia is the sixth largest city in the United States, but is often described as a “city of neighborhoods.” Students are encouraged to make the most of their time while living and studying here.
![Philadelphia skyline](https://sp2.upenn.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Philadelphia-skyline-e1592941441637-1024x474.jpg)
![SP2 student and a young girl jump rope outside](https://sp2.upenn.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/sayre_health_fair_2012d-scaled-e1643749912235-895x1024.jpg)
Field Education
Our students build important skills and professional connections at hospitals, community centers, hospice agencies, and more – here in Philadelphia and beyond. Take a look at some of the agencies where our students are connecting theory with practice while making real-world impact.
Events
07/28
Kindred Creation featuring Aida Mariam Davis
Join the Center for Social Impact Strategy (CSIS) virtually on July 29 from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. for our next virtual speaker series featuring Aida Mariam Davis (Aida D.), […]
Events
08/01
MSW Advanced Standing Practicum Breakfast
We are looking forward to discussing the advanced clinical and advanced macro practice classes!
News
Faculty & Research
07/26
![Jonathan Muruako](https://sp2.upenn.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/JonathanMuruako_web-496x271.jpg)
Q&A with PCIIT innovation competition winner Jonathan Muruako
As a new graduate of the Master of Science in Nonprofit Leadership Program at SP2, Jonathan Muruako, CAS’17, NPL’24, has completed his collegiate career while working to help others navigate education as founder and CEO of Fitalyst.