School News
New MS in Social Policy Degree Program Approved
In September 2006, the School of Social Policy & Practice will admit its first class for the new Masters of Science in Social Policy degree program. Although the program was finalized only a few months ago, it has been in the planning stages for several years. The idea for such a program grew out of Dr. Richard Estes’ extensive professional interests in International Development. Recognizing that International Development was too specific a field for a degree program within SP², he sought to create an overarching program that could accommodate many interests. As the chair of the planning committee, Dr. Estes researched comparative programs in the United States and other countries. The MS in Social Policy, which provides a foundation for policy while offering the opportunity for specialization, was the solution.
With two tracks, students can choose to specialize in Social Policy & the Law or Social Welfare Policy. Within the second track, Social Welfare Policy, students also choose their area of specialization from an extensive list of issues and populations. For example, these specializations range from behavioral health to environmental issues to immigration to gerontology and everything in between.
The MS in Social Policy degree is intended to prepare students for leadership positions and train them to analyze and shape social policy at the local, national and international levels; to promote fuller integration of social policy between and across various sectors of social life; and to promote more humane and equitable responses to the needs of historically vulnerable population groups.
The program is designed to be completed over three semesters (10-11 months), during which students will take ten graduate courses. This schedule consists of five required courses, two electives, one advanced policy research option, and a two-semester capstone project. Additionally, students will complete a 6-8 week advanced social policy internship. Throughout the course of study, students will be guided by their Individualized Educational Plan (IEP), developed in conjunction with their advisor.
During the first year, the School foresees enrolling about ten students in the program. Students in the MS in Social Policy program can pursue a joint degree, combining it with the Ph.D. in Social Welfare, Master of Social Work, MS in Non-Profit Leadership, MS in Government Administration, MS in Public Health, and other Penn degree programs.
Click here to leanr more about the MS in Social Policy Program.