MSW Program Links

MSW Faqs

Admissions
What are the basic requirements for admission to the MSW programs?
What are the admission requirements for the Advanced Standing Program?
What are the admission requirements for the One-Year Residency Program?
Will I have to take the GRE’s?
What is the application deadline?
What is the application fee?
What information is required for an application to be considered complete?
Is an application interview arranged with all applicants?
Who makes admission decisions? When can I expect a decision on my application?
Do you accept transfer students into Penn’s School of Social Policy & Practice?
Is there a deposit fee?

Tuition & Financial Aid
What is the current tuition at the University of Pennsylvania School of Social Policy & Practice?
What do you estimate I will need to have available to manage financially for one academic year?
Does the School offer financial aid?
Does the School offer work-study?
What is the procedure for obtaining financial aid?
I already have undergraduate loans. Will I be accepted for graduate student loans?
What do you consider in determining financial aid?
When will I be notified of your decision on my financial aid request?
Does the fact that I will need financial assistance negatively affect my chances for acceptance into the program?

Curriculum
Does the School offer a part-time program?
Does the School offer a One-Year Residency Program?
Does the School offer an Advanced Standing program?
How many courses do you take each semester?
What is the structure of the program?
How many students are in a class?
What is the size of your MSW class?
What are the joint/dual degree programs?
What certificate programs are offered at Penn Social Work?
What is the grading system at Penn Social Work?
Does the School provide academic advising?

Field Placement
How are field placements arranged?
What are my chances of having a field placement working with children? Aging? Substance abuse?
How much time is spent in field placement?
Will I need a car for field placement?
What are the field placement requirements for part –time (Three-Year MSW Program) students?

Admissions

What are the basic requirements for admission to the MSW programs?

Applicants must have completed a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts from an accredited college or university prior to enrollment in the program unless they have been admitted through our Sub-matriculation program; or (2) a bachelor’s degree in social work from an accredited undergraduate social work program.
Typical areas of study are social work, social welfare, behavioral sciences, (e.g., psychology, sociology, family studies, criminal justice, anthropology, political science, early childhood, urban studies, etc.).
Human service related experience acquired through paid or volunteer activity is desirable.

What are the admission requirements for the Advanced Standing Program?

A bachelor’s degree in social work from a CSWE accredited social work program. Completion of the undergraduate degree must be within the past five years.
High academic achievement.
Three letters of recommendation: two (2) work related references (these can be from supervisors or managers from human service related paid, volunteer, internship, or research related work) and one (1) academic reference. One reference letter must be from a MSW who can evaluate the applicant’s performance in field placement, e.g., current or most recent practice professor or field supervisor.
Applicants must meet all other admission requirements for the MSW program.

What are the admission requirements for the One-Year Residency Program?

A bachelor’s degree in liberal arts or social work from an accredited college or university.
Two years social work experience with MSW supervision (at the time of application) at an approved social service agency.
A contract between the School, employing agency and applicant confirming approval of the applicant's One-Year Residency Program plan.
Applicants must meet all other admission requirements for the MSW program.

Will I have to take the GRE’s?

No. This is not a requirement for MSW programs.

What is the application deadline?

Students are admitted once a year (Fall semester) to the MSW program and in the summer for the Advanced Standing program. MSW applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Priority consideration for admissions and field placement will be given to full -time, part-time, and One-Year Residency applicants who apply by March 31 and for the Advanced Standing program is March 1. Review of financial aid applications begins on March 1.

What is the application fee?

The MSW application fee is $65.00.
All applications received before December 31st will have a reduced fee and be charged $25.00. For on-line applications the fee is $50.00 if you apply before December 1st and $65.00 after that date.

What information is required for an application to be considered complete?

Your application is considered complete when the following have been received:

Application form;

Financial plan form;

Three letters of recommendation: two (2) worked related references (these can be from supervisors or managers from human service related paid, volunteer, internship, or research related work) and one (1) academic reference.

Official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate studies; and

Application statement prepared in response to the questions listed in the School bulletin or on the web (under Apply).

Is an application interview arranged with all applicants?

It is our policy to offer an interview to all applicants being considered for matriculation. This will help to assure that you have been well informed about our program, and that you have been apprised of our expectations. It also helps us to get to know you better, and helps you to make an informed choice of programs.

The interviews are primarily personal interviews; however, when geographic distance is a question, a telephone interview can be arranged.

If the application material reflects a strong and solid applicant, we can offer admission without an interview. Even in this instance, we offer an interview at a later date to respond to questions.

You may be offered a “pre-application” interview before you complete or file an application. This interview is primarily to clarify our program and your professional goals for social work practice.

Who makes admission decisions? When can I expect a decision on my application?

Once the application is complete (including the interview), the Admissions Committee composed of the faculty make all admission decisions. They look at the applicant's complete file, i.e., transcripts, human service related experience, letters of recommendation and the application statement. You can expect a written notification in two to three weeks. If you have not heard from us, feel free to call the Admissions Office (215/898-5539).

Do you accept transfer students into Penn’s School of Social Policy & Practice?

Yes. Transfer students from CSWE accredited MSW programs must meet the School’s admission requirements. Transfer credit review will occur after acceptance to the program. Students who transfer from an accredited social work program having completed a full year within the last three years may be granted credit for up to one year's work. Students entering with an accredited Masters degree in a related field may be granted up to a maximum of six credits based on the overlap of the courses they have taken with the courses in our curriculum. Students who have completed some graduate work within the past three years but do not have a Masters Degree may be given up to a maximum of four credits for courses that have a high degree of overlap with our classes.

Application for credit for work completed elsewhere than Penn must be made in writing to the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs for the School. Transfer credits must be granted before the student’s registration can be accepted.

Is there a deposit fee?

Yes. The fee is $250.00 payable after notification of acceptance. Your acceptance letter will tell you the date by which this fee is expected. This deposit fee is applied to your bill upon matriculation. It is not refundable if you do not matriculate.

Tuition & Financial Aid

What is the current tuition at the University of Pennsylvania School of Social Policy & Practice?

Tuition and General Fees for AY 2006-2007 are as follows:

	Full-Time	Part-Time
Tuition	$29,504/year	$3,688/per course
Fees	$2,028/year	$248/per course
Technology Fee	$472/year	$59/per course
Total	$32, 004	$3,995/per course

The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania reserve the right to increase tuition and fees, and otherwise to amend the regulations concerning tuition, fees, and method of payment, at any time, and to make such changes applicable to students in the University at that time, as well as to new students.

What do you estimate I will need to have available to manage financially for one academic year?

Tuition and Fee:$32,004
Room and Board: $14,400
Books: $1,180
Miscellaneous: $4,978 (estimate of financial needs for single student-also
includes health insurance of approximately $2,348)
TOTAL: $52,562

These are estimated figures and will change depending upon individual circumstances (i.e., if you are living at home with family, this may reduce your room and board).

Does the School offer financial aid?

Yes, we do offer financial aid to students who enroll in the School. We recognize the high cost of quality education, and willingly help applicants with financial planning. Many people find it necessary to seek assistance with finances; the School provided financial aid to approximately 80 percent of our incoming class. Even though our tuition is high, the availability of financial aid helps to make our programs competitive with others whose tuition may be lower. Financial aid is based on need. It is imperative that students complete Penn’s Financial Aid Application. There are also Annual Dean Awards based on merit alone. Dean Awards are considered a component of the total financial aid award.

Does the School offer work-study?

There are a limited number of work-study grants. These work-study grants are for one year only.

What is the procedure for obtaining financial aid?

All students applying for financial aid must first indicate their request on the Financial Plan Form, which is a part of your application material. You are later required to complete a PFAA (Penn’s Financial Aid Application) form, which will be mailed to you after your application is received. When we receive your completed PFAA, our Financial Aid Committee will analyze it to determine your need, and our resources. All financial aid is granted on the basis of need. You must also complete a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) form. As you seek financial aid from the School, it is expected that you will also make an application for the Guaranteed Student Loan program. You should apply for a Guaranteed Student Loan through the University of Pennsylvania because the University does not charge an origination fee.

I already have undergraduate loans. Will I be accepted for graduate student loans?

Yes. The required payment on your undergraduate loans will be deferred while you are a graduate student. Of course, you will have to resume payment of the undergraduate loans and begin payment of your graduate loans once you complete the MSW program. A person who has defaulted on an undergraduate loan may not be eligible for certain loans.

What do you consider in determining financial aid?

We can consider your income, family income (if you are a dependent child), number of dependents, savings, assets, outstanding undergraduate loan indebtedness, etc. If your parents are claiming you as a dependent, or if you are age 24 or under, your parents must complete the parent’s section of Penn’s FAF Form.

When will I be notified of your decision on my financial aid request?

After we have reached a decision on your acceptance, and received a copy of your Penn FAF, you will receive a written notification of your financial aid award. In general we begin making financial aid decisions in early March.

Does the fact that I will need financial assistance negatively affect my chances for acceptance into the program?

No. It has no bearing at all. Acceptance is based on suitability for our program. Whether or not you need financial assistance does not affect your acceptance or rejection.

Curriculum

Does the School offer a part-time program?

Yes. The Three-Year MSW Program is designed for students who have chosen the profession but are not prepared to matriculate on a two-year basis. Participants in the three-year program must meet the same admission requirements as those for two-year students. They must also complete degree requirements in effect at the time of admission. Students admitted to this program are assisted by educational advisors who help them develop individualized plans of study.

The Three-Year MSW program includes six semesters and two summers for courses. Field placement begins in the second year of study.

Does the School offer a One-Year Residency Program?

Yes. This program is designed for experienced working professionals who have been employed in an approved social service agency for two years and want to pursue a Masters of Social Work degree on a part-time basis. Students accepted into this program take two courses per semester (including summers). In the second year of study (Pre-Residency Year), students must complete a Field Lab during the fall and spring semester. In the third year of study (Residency Year), students must fulfill 900 hours of supervised field placement at their place of employment from September to May.

Does the School offer an Advanced Standing program?

Yes. The Advanced Standing Program is designed for exceptional BSW students who have graduated from a CSWE-accredited BSW program within the past five years. A limited number of students are accepted into this program. Students in Advanced Standing begin graduate studies in the summer, followed by two semesters of full-time study in the academic year. In order to enroll in the fall, students must satisfactorily complete the two (2) required summer courses and achieve satisfactory performance in the no-cost Integrative Practice Seminar and field placement (see MSW Student Handbook section on Evaluation Procedures and criteria).

How many courses do you take each semester?

Full-time students take four courses a semester. Each class meets one day a week for one hour and 50 minutes. Practice courses meet for two hours and 50 minutes a week.

Three-year students and One-Year Residency students take two courses a semester. Students in these programs must also take two courses in the summer. It is recommended that students take one course during each 6-week summer four required session. (The University offers Summer Session I and II.)

What is the structure of the program?

Full-time students are in the classroom two days a week and in field placement three days a week. In the first year of study, students must enroll in required courses. In the second year of study, students choose either a clinical or macro concentration. Students must take at least one of the two required practice electives in their concentration area.

How many students are in a class?

Our classes are seminar style classes, averaging twenty-five students. Practice classes are capped at 20 to 21 students. This is a plan to promote the valuable classroom interaction and exchange between faculty and students. In other words, be prepared to participate, raise critical questions, and share your ideas and learning.

What is the size of your MSW class?

In recent years, the incoming class has averaged 130-160 students.

What are the joint/dual degree programs?

Penn Social Work offers the following dual degree programs:

A separate application to each school is required. Acceptance into the MSW program is not contingent upon your acceptance into any one of the joint degree programs. In other words, if you apply for a joint degree, you are independently accepted (or not accepted) by each school.

What certificate programs are offered at Penn Social Work?

Penn Social Work offers the following certificate programs:

A separate application to each school is required. Acceptance into the MSW program is not contingent upon your acceptance into any one of the joint degree match. In other words, if you apply for a joint degree, you are independently accepted (or not accepted) by each school.

What is the grading system at Penn Social Work?

Penn Social Work uses the system of letter grade evaluation that is used by other M.A. and PhD programs at the University. A cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or above is required for MSW graduation.

Does the School provide academic advising?

Yes. Each student is assigned an educational advisor who helps the student make the maximum use of the School and University’s resources for a rich academic experience.

Field Placement

How are field placements arranged?

The field placement process begins in the spring semester for first and second year students. Incoming or first year students are sent a placement form from the Director of Field Placement after they accepted the School’s offer of admission and have paid their $250.00 deposit fee. The placement form along with your personal statement and admissions interview are reviewed by the Director of Field Placement to determine your first year placement. Each student has the opportunity to interview at his or her assigned field placement before it begins. (This can be a phone interview.)

Second year field placement process begins in March of the spring semester. Students meet with their advisors and discuss their educational needs and objectives for second year. Together they complete an educational plan, which is forwarded to the Director of Field Placement to determine a field placement that meets the student’s needs.

What are my chances of having a field placement working with children? Aging? Substance abuse?

Your chances are good. We have approximately 550 field placement sites. All field placements include supervision by someone with a Master’s degree in Social Work. Field Placement is a vital part of your learning experience, so we take great care in seeing that it meets your educational needs and interests.

How much time is spent in field placement?

Students spend the equivalent of three days a week (21-24 hours) in the field during each of their two academic years. Part-time students may make arrangements to do a 16-hour per week field placement that is extended over 39 weeks.

Will I need a car for field placement?

No. We have many field placement sites that are located in close proximity to public transportation.

What are the field placement requirements for part –time (Three-Year MSW Program) students?

Students in the Three-Year MSW Program begin field placement in the second year of study. Students must fulfill the same field placement requirements as full-time students. Part-time students may reduce the number of hours they spend in the field each week to a minimum of 16 hours, by extending the total number of field placement weeks to 39. Students on this extended schedule are typically in the field from September through June the first year, and from August 1 through April the second year.