University of Pennsylvania · School of Social Policy & Practice
Student Life at SP2
From orientation to graduation, the Office of Student Affairs supports you at every step.
Associate Dean’s Welcome
“The Office of Student Affairs at the University of Pennsylvania School of Social Policy & Practice supports students from orientation through graduation, and every step in between. We take a holistic approach to student life—connecting students to academic resources, fostering community, and creating opportunities for engagement across Penn and the city of Philadelphia.“
– Dr. Jenn Clinkscales, Associate Dean of Student Affairs
New Student Orientation
All Master’s Students are required to attend their designated New Student Orientation, which will immediately follow SP2 Convocation on Monday, August 24, 2026 at 9:00 am, breakfast starts at 8:15 am. Doctoral students should follow the instructions given by your programs.
Advanced Standing Orientation
Tuesday, June 30, 10:00 – 11:30 am
3815 Walnut St., Philadelphia, PA
Room 304
All Students will attend Community Lunch
12:00 – 1:00 pm
Caster Courtyard
On-Campus MSW New Student Orientation
Monday, August 24, 2026, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Inn at Penn, 3600 Sansom St., Philadelphia, PA
Contact satomatt@upenn.edu with any questions.
MSSP New Student Orientation
Monday, August 24, 2026, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Inn at Penn, 3600 Sansom St., Philadelphia, PA
NPL On-campus Orientation
Monday, August 24, 2026, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
NPL Online Orientation (Virtual)
Asynchronous Work: August 10 through August 19
Students must attend one of the two synchronous Zoom meetings: Wednesday, August 12, 2026, 12:00 – 1:00 pm ET OR Thursday, August 13, 2026, 6:00 – 7:00 pm
NPL Online Students Social: Monday, August 24, 1:00 – 3:00 pm
NPL Faculty Roundtable (Virtual): Wednesday, July 22, 2026, 2:00 – 3:00 pm ET
Contact Vanessa Martinez Penn at vmartp@upenn.edu with any questions.
PhD New Student Orientation
Monday, August 24, 2026
The Study, 20 S. 33rd St. Philadelphia, PA 19104
PhD Orientation: 1:00 – 4:00 pm
Reception for all PhD students and faculty: 4:00 – 5:30 pm
Contact the PhD Coordinator at eerich@upenn.edu regarding registration information.
DSW Campus Immersion 2026
DSW events will take place on campus in Philadelphia from August 25th through August 29th.
DNPA Campus Immersion 2026
DNPA events will take place on campus in Philadelphia from August 25th through August 29th. More information will be available soon.
What You’ll Find in Student Life
Resources, support, and opportunities to help you thrive during your time at SP2.
Academic Resources, Policies, & Procedures
Program-specific handbooks, course registration, policies, and procedures.
International Students
Visa support, immigration advising, and international student resources through Penn Global.
Student Organizations
Active student organizations to help you build community and pursue professional interests alongside your studies.
Practicum Placement
Hands-on field placements in Philadelphia and beyond connect your classroom learning to real-world social impact.
Graduation & Commencement
Graduation application deadlines, degree certification, commencement ceremony details, and what to expect in your final semester at SP2.
More Resources
Academic Resources
Weingarten Center
The Weingarten Center provides academic support and disability services with a commitment to access and holistic care for Penn students. We foster student learning, development, and self-advocacy through learning consultations, peer education, and an interactive accommodations process.
Academic Advising
Each student is assigned an academic advisor who helps them make the most of the School and University’s resources throughout their academic experience. Advisor assignments are available on the Academic Resources & Support page.
Career Services Writing Support
The Marks Family Writing Center was established in 2003 to provide writing support to Penn students and faculty across the disciplines.
Non-Academic Resources
Safety & Belonging
Penn Graduate Student Support
Navigating Penn’s Campus & Philadelphia
Confidential Resources
All Confidential resources can be found at the Penn Violence Prevention webpage(opens in a new tab).
Meet the Office of Student Affairs Team
A dedicated team here to support your success at every stage of your SP2 journey.
Student News & Events
Stories and updates from the SP2 student community.
Latest News
Upcoming Events
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