WHY SP2?
The passionate pursuit of social innovation, social impact, and social good.
Excellence & Rigor
SP2 brings together top-ranked social work degrees with innovative policy and leadership programs that dig deep into social innovation, big data, and other trends reshaping social policy and practice. Our faculty are highly respected practitioners conducting groundbreaking research in areas like homelessness and restorative entrepreneurship. They are equal parts scholar, teacher, and mentor, and are dedicated to working for fairness and impact.
Transdisciplinary Collaboration
When it comes to charting a course that’s truly your own, nothing compares to the University of Pennsylvania. Our Ivy League ecosystem encompasses 12 different professional schools. That means unique dual degrees, certificate programs and specializations, and interdisciplinary collaborations within and outside of Penn.
Practicum Education
Bringing classroom knowledge out into the real world is a key part of SP2 experience, and there’s no better place to do it than our home base of Philadelphia. Our students grapple with a range of real-world challenges in nonprofits, hospitals, and social service agencies doing important, innovative work through practicums, internships, and research collaborations.
A Welcoming Community at Our Core
Throughout its history, SP2 has been committed to understanding and embracing differences. As a school, we are dedicated to combatting discrimination in our educational programs; interactions with colleagues, students, and external partners; and school culture.
Events
07/21
Chat with the MSSP Associate Director, Colleen Daily
Incoming students, you’re invited to get a head start on your SP2 experience! Join us this summer for virtual and on-campus events designed to help you feel prepared and connected. […]
Events
07/22
NPL Faculty Roundtable
Incoming students, you’re invited to get a head start on your SP2 experience! Join us this summer for virtual and on-campus events designed to help you feel prepared and connected. […]
News
Faculty & Research
07/01
Dr. Abigail Ross named SP2 Master of Social Work faculty director
Associate Professor Abigail (Abby) M. Ross, LICSW, MPH, PhD, has been named faculty director of the Master of Social Work (MSW) program at the University of Pennsylvania School of Social Policy & Practice (SP2), effective July 1, 2026.