Leslie Daniels, SP2's Director of Field Education, speaks to a group of students

SOCIAL Work

Social workers committed to impact and the pursuit of social good.

The current context of the world makes it clear that the need to pursue social change and social good has never been greater—and effective social change requires exceptionally well-trained social workers. The University of Pennsylvania School of Social Policy & Practice (SP2) offers both a Master of Social Work with full-time, part-time, and Advanced Standing options and a Doctorate in Clinical Social Work.

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Master of Social Work

Fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, the Master of Social Work (MSW) Program empowers you to become the type of committed and compassionate social work leader that today’s complex world needs more than ever. Learn more about our renowned faculty, curriculum, diverse practicum placements, and commitment to social good and meaningful change.

Doctorate in Clinical Social Work

The Doctorate in Clinical Social Work (DSW) Program allows ambitious, MSW-prepared social workers to advance their education in just three years—without putting their careers on hold. Become a clinical expert, inspired educator, and real-world scholar through a convenient blend of online evening classes and on-campus immersion experiences.

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Headshot of ChiaKo Hung

Equipping Students and Nonprofits for Impact: A Q&A with Dr. ChiaKo Hung

In this Q&A, SP2 Assistant Professor Dr. ChiaKo Hung reflects on what makes teaching at SP2 meaningful, the impact his research aims to have, and his favorite way to spend time in Philadelphia.

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Tamara Cadet, Dean Bachman, and Abby Ross

SP2 launches social work affiliate program with HUP and CHOP

Penn’s School of Social Policy & Practice (SP2), in an innovative partnership with the Departments of Social Work at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (HUP) and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), has established a first-of-its-kind social work affiliate program. 

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Shadrack O. Frimpong

SP2 announces alumnus Dr. Shadrack Osei Frimpong as 2026 commencement speaker

Penn’s School of Social Policy & Practice (SP2) has announced that SP2 alumnus Dr. Shadrack Osei Frimpong, NPL’19, a global health leader and scholar whose work focuses on occupational neurology, will deliver the School’s 2026 Commencement speech on May 16.