Certificate Programs

The School of Social Policy & Practice (SP2) places great emphasis on transdisciplinary study and enables our master’s students to study topics in-depth through certificate programs. Typically, these programs require that students take courses in the granting department/school and one or two courses from a prescribed topic area.

Full-time students in each of SP2’s three master’s programs – the Master of Social Work (MSW), Master of Science in Social Policy (MSSP), and Master of Science in Nonprofit Leadership (NPL) – are eligible to pursue one or more certificate programs as part of their master’s degree. Depending on course scheduling and student flexibility, Advanced Standing MSW and part-time students may also be able to incorporate a certificate into their course of study. Please contact your advisor with any questions.

Completing a certificate sometimes requires students to take additional courses beyond the regular number of credits and standard tuition costs required to earn the degree. Students should discuss their certificate program plans with their academic advisor as early as possible to plan their course of study.

It is expected that all requirements for the certificate be met while the student is completing the master’s degree. Any exceptions must be approved in advance.

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CERTIFICATES

Ann Nolan Reese Penn Aging CertificateCertificate

Through the Penn Aging Certificate (PAC) Program, you can be a social change agent and a leader in the significant field of gerontological social work.

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CERTIFICATES

Certificate for Applied Data Ethics, Law, and the Social GoodMASTERS

Develop the applied skills and knowledge needed to support data use in policy and practice that is legal, ethical, and focused on the social good.

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CERTIFICATES

Global Human Rights CertificateMSW/MSSP

Designed to provide enriched perspectives on human rights.

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CERTIFICATES

Graduate Certificate in Latin American and Latinx StudiesMSW/MSSP

This certificate is awarded by the University of Pennsylvania’s Center for Latin American and Latinx Studies (LALS) to SP2 students who wish to gain exposure in Latin America and Latinx Studies in conjunction with their social work education.

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CERTIFICATES

LGBTQ+ CertificateMASTERS

Provides supplemental content and skills to existing professional master’s degrees at Penn with specialized courses and fieldwork addressing the legal, physical and mental health care, social service, and educational needs of LGBTQ+ communities and issues of gender and sexuality, more generally, across the lifespan.

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CERTIFICATES

MSW/Home-School Visitor Certificate ProgramMSW

SP2 is approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education to prepare students to apply to the state for the MSW Home-School Visitor Certificate.

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CROSS-INSTITUTIONAL PROGRAMS

MSW/Certificate in Jewish Communal ServiceMSW

Students enrolled in the certificate program can earn both a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree from SP2 and a Certificate in Jewish Communal Services from Gratz College.

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CERTIFICATES

Certificate in Health Care InnovationCERTIFICATE

The Department of Medical Ethics and Health Policy in the a School of Medicine offers a Graduate Certificate in Health Care Innovation (HCI) to Master of Science in Nonprofit Leadership (NPL) students who wish to further develop health care–oriented skills and experience to build upon their NPL education.

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CERTIFICATES

Certificate in LawMASTERS

Provides an opportunity to become immersed in important legal topics in the areas of their academic interest.

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CERTIFICATES

MSSP + Data Analytics for Social Policy CertificateMSSP+DA

Use data science to actively impact equity, equality, and social good. The MSSP Program + Data Analytics for Social Policy Certificate (MSSP+DA) is a STEM-designated degree that empowers you to leverage social policy and data analytics to address economic, educational, and health inequities.

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CROSS-INSTITUTIONAL PROGRAMS

NPL/Certificate in Jewish Nonprofit ManagementNPL

Master of Science in Nonprofit Leadership (NPL) students are able to pursue a Graduate Certificate in Jewish Nonprofit Management at Gratz College.

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CROSS-INSTITUTIONAL PROGRAMS

NPL/MA in Jewish Communal ServiceNPL/MA

Students enrolled in the certificate program can earn both a Master of Science in Nonprofit Leadership (NPL) degree from the University of Pennsylvania and an MA in Jewish Communal Services from Gratz College.

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