BACHELOR OF ARTSMS in Social Policy
Submatriculation into the Master of Science in Social Policy (MSSP) at the School of Social Policy & Practice (SP2) is an exciting option available to committed, exceptional students in the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Pennsylvania who want to undertake studies toward a Master of Social Policy, starting in the senior year of their undergraduate program.
Requirements for submatriculating into the Master of Science in Social Policy (MSSP) program include:
- application for submatriculation
- application for the MSSP Program
- a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher
Please note the following:
- Attainment of the bachelor’s degree is necessary before continuing to the final semester of the MSSP Program. You will complete the MSSP degree in the semester after the BA is awarded, during which you must be enrolled in a total of five (5) CUs; three (3) of those CUs must be within the MSSP program. A total of ten (10) graduate courses must be completed to confer the MS in Social Policy.
- The MSSP program does not require SAT/ACT/GRE scores.
The College requires you to complete and submit a submatriculation application form and consult with your College Contact. This is an advisor in the College Office whose name and email are available in your Path@Penn account. The College Contact advisor will help you complete the submatriculation application form. This form must also be submitted to the SP2 Admissions Office before the application review process can begin. The form can be emailed to apply@sp2.upenn.edu.
Application Information
Students should apply for submatriculation by the admissions deadline for the admissions cycle that they hope to begin coursework.
Submatriculants remain eligible for undergraduate financial aid for the normal eight (8) semesters of the BA program. Submatriculants are not eligible to receive scholarships from SP2 but may apply for federal student financial aid.
Course of Study
An individual plan of study will be prepared and agreed upon by the appropriate College advisor and SP2 to assure the integrity of both degree programs.
BA/MSSP General Program of Study
This represents a sample course grid. Each student will meet with the MSSP Administrative Director to create an individually designed course schedule.
| Senior Year: Fall | Senior Year: Spring |
|---|---|
| MSSP 6280: Policy Analysis of Issues, Strategy and Process (1CU) | MSSP 6310: Law & Social Policy OR: MSSP 7805: Law & Social Policy: Foundations (1CU) |
| MSSP 6300: Quantitative Reasoning (1CU) | MSSP 8970: Applied Linear Modeling (1CU) |
| MSSP 6370: MSSP Policy Practicum Seminar (0CU) | MSSP 6370: MSSP Policy Practicum Seminar (0CU) |
| MSSP 6360: Capstone Seminar: Policy Communications (1CU) |
| Summer |
|---|
| MSSP Policy Practicum |
| Fifth Year: Fall |
|---|
| MSSP 6290: Research and Evaluation Design (1CU) |
| MSSP 6680: Economics for Social Policy (1CU) |
| MSSP Theory Elective (1CU) |
| SP2 Elective (1CU) |
| SP2 Elective (1CU) |
*Any 2 to 4 courses within the MSSP program may be used toward the undergraduate degree in the School of Arts and Sciences (with the approval of the undergraduate Advisor).
** Submatriculants should work directly with the MSSP Practicum Coordinator to plan and identify a practicum that meets the student’s interests and goals. Alterations to practicum timing may be considered on a case-by-case basis for submatriculants. The practicum requires a minimum of 250 hours. Regardless of practicum timing, students must register for MSSP 6370 for both fall/spring semesters in their senior year.
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MSSP Program