ADMISSIONS
Social Justice Scholars Program
Full-tuition scholarships and specialized, rigorous academic programming for master’s students
The Social Justice Scholars Program at Penn’s School of Social Policy & Practice (SP2) is a competitive scholarship program for master’s students. The program is part of SP2’s ongoing commitment to the recruitment and retention of students with a particular interest in and demonstrated capacity for social justice leadership. A dynamic cohort of Social Justice Scholars are selected by faculty each year from across SP2’s three master’s programs, and receive full tuition benefits and are supported through an enriched structure of mentorship and additional training opportunities.
Requirements
Students selected for the SJSP program receive full tuition coverage for the duration of their program along with a small stipend for living expenses, and enhanced academic and supportive programming.
Scholars are expected to be active participants in all elements of the Social Justice Scholars Program. Funding is contingent upon full participation in the following required activities:
- Monthly Proseminars: An ongoing lecture and discussion series for professional development and community-building
- Mentorship Program: Each student will be paired with a mentor, a Penn Faculty member or Senior Administrator, who is a social justice leader in their field and can provide academic and career guidance and support.
- Conferences/Trainings: Students will be provided with funds to travel to and attend a conference or another learning opportunity during each academic year they are enrolled in the program.
- Enrichment Activities: A limited number of additional learning opportunities (e.g., field trips, school sponsored meetings, and other special events) will be scheduled through the academic year.
Eligibility
To be eligible for consideration, the applicant must have:
- Applied by the priority deadlines below to one of SP2’s three master’s degree programs: Master of Social Work (MSW), Master of Science in Social Policy (MSSP), or Master of Science in Nonprofit Leadership (NPL)
- Demonstrated financial need
- Demonstrated an interest in and capacity for social justice leadership
- Capacity for and willingness to be active, full participants in all elements of the Social Justice Scholars program
Application Process
No separate application or additional materials are required. Scholars are selected by faculty during the application review process.
Applicants to the MSW, MSSP, or NPL program(s) must apply by December 1st.
Implementation
SP2 welcomed the first cohort of Social Justice Scholars in the fall of 2021, the second cohort in the fall of 2022, and the third in the fall of 2023. SP2 Associate Professor Yoosun Park is faculty director of the program and Jessie Harper is the director of the program.
A transformative $12.5 million commitment in support of SP2 announced in June 2022 will support the Social Justice Scholars Program and endow a new scholarship program focused on social innovation announced in spring of 2023.
Application Fee Waiver
Applicants to the MSW, MSSP, or NPL program(s) who are interested in being considered for the the Social Justice Scholars Program qualify for an application fee waiver. Email apply@sp2.upenn.edu with your name to receive a fee waiver.
San Antonio, TX
In their own words
Paloma Brand, MSW’23
Paloma is one of the inaugural Social Justice Scholars.
“Social innovation and social justice should really involve the communities that social work impacts.”
Frequently asked questions
How can I apply to the Social Justice Scholars Program at SP2?
No separate application or additional materials are required.
Applicants to the Master of Social Work (MSW), Master of Science in Social Policy (MSSP), and/or Master of Science in Nonprofit Leadership (NPL) program must apply by December 1st.
The online application for all master’s and doctoral programs opens in mid to late September of the year prior to your first term at SP2. You can read more about how to apply to SP2 here or access the online application here.
Who is eligible for the Social Justice Scholars Program at SP2?
To be eligible for consideration, the applicant must have:
- Applied by December 1st to one of SP2’s three master’s degree programs: Master of Social Work (MSW), Master of Science in Social Policy (MSSP), or Master of Science in Nonprofit Leadership (NPL)
- Demonstrated financial need
- Demonstrated an interest in and capacity for social justice leadership
- Capacity for and willingness to be active, full participants in all elements of the Social Justice Scholars program
When was the Social Justice Scholars Program implemented at SP2?
SP2 welcomed the first cohort of Social Justice Scholars in the fall of 2021, the second cohort in the fall of 2022, and the third cohort in fall of 2023.
A transformative $12.5 million commitment in support of SP2 announced in June 2022 will support the Social Justice Scholars Program and endow a new scholarship program focused on social innovation. The commitment will fund 12 full-tuition scholarships annually in social justice and social innovation.
The support includes a $7.5 million commitment from an anonymous donor, one of the largest gifts ever made to SP2, to increase scholarships for graduate students who are committed to social innovation and social justice. This support is combined with an additional $5 million in matching funds from the University.
What does the SJSP provide?
Students selected for the SJSP program receive full tuition coverage for the duration of their program along with a small stipend for living expenses, and enhanced academic and supportive programming.
What does the SJSP require?
Scholars are expected to be active participants in all elements of the Social Justice Scholars Program. Funding is contingent upon full participation in the following required activities:
Monthly Proseminars: An ongoing lecture and discussion series for professional development and community-building
Mentorship Program: Each student will be paired with a mentor, a Penn Faculty member or Senior Administrator, who is a social justice leader in their field and can provide academic and career guidance and support.
Conferences/Trainings: Students will be provided with funds to travel to and attend a conference or another learning opportunity during each academic year they are enrolled in the program.
Enrichment Activities: A limited number of additional learning opportunities (e.g., field trips, school sponsored meetings, and other special events) will be scheduled through the academic year.
What is the significance of the transformative $12.5 million commitment in support of SP2?
The resources propel SP2’s mission and the heart of social justice at Penn, providing unprecedented support to produce the future leaders our world needs in social work, social policy, and nonprofit leadership, in an era in which inequities have been exacerbated.
SP2 is aiming to train the next generation of leadership that will create new pathways in social policy and practice. SP2 firmly believes that the knowledge, lived experiences, and diverse perspectives of our student body can help to forge new ways of approaching social problems and challenge the status quo. In today’s complex world, where injustice and inequity remain deeply entrenched, the need for passionate social change agents is more urgent than ever.
How can I support this program?
Donors who make gifts in increments of $500,000 can take advantage of a dollar for dollar match to name and endow from one to five Social Justice Scholars. Additionally, term gifts can be made in any amount to support both the scholarship and programming for this initiative. Contact Kristen de Paor or click here to learn more about giving to SP2.
News
Student Life
11/13
SP2 welcomes third cohort of Social Justice Scholars
This fall, Penn’s School of Social Policy & Practice (SP2) welcomed its third cohort of Social Justice Scholars, a competitive scholarship program with the aim of enhancing SP2’s ongoing commitment to the recruitment and retention of students with a particular interest in and demonstrated capacity for social justice leadership in their field.
News
Student Life
08/16
Jessie Harper joins SP2 as director of inclusion education and Social Justice Scholars Program
Dr. Jessie Harper has joined SP2 as the inaugural director of inclusion education and the Social Justice Scholars Program. Dr. Harper comes to SP2 after nearly two decades at Penn’s Graduate School of Education (GSE), where she most recently served as assistant dean of faculty affairs and diversity.
News
Alumni
06/02
First graduate of SP2’s Social Justice Scholars Program lands role on Capitol Hill
“What’s important to me is being in a space where I can help people and I’m constantly in a state of giving back,” says Gianni Morsell, NPL’22. The first graduate […]
Alums & current scholars
Prince George’s County, MD
Jersey City, NJ
Lagos, Nigeria
Uttar Pradesh, India
Contact Us
Adiza M. Ezell, MSW
Director of Admissions & Recruitment
SP2 Admissions
215.898.5521