In this Q&A, MSSP+DA student Nature Hu reflects on what brought her to social policy work, her favorite SP2 course, and where she hopes to make a difference next.
Continue Reading Blending empathy & analytics: A Q&A with MSSP+DA student Nature Hu
Education. Action. Impact.
PRACTICE AND RESEARCH FOR SOCIAL GOOD
Facts and Figures
Committed to collaboration, excellence, and impact.
250k
Number of hours spent in internships and practicums each year
500+
Number of available practicum placements, internships, and practicum sites
#8
U.S. News & World Report ranking for Best Grad School Social Work Program
98%
Percentage of students who applied for & received financial assistance
7.8k+
SP2 alumni network
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.
News
Faculty & Research
07/01
Economic scholar Ioana Marinescu promoted to full professor at SP2
Dr. Ioana Marinescu has been promoted to full professor at the University of Pennsylvania School of Social Policy & Practice (SP2), effective July 1, 2026.
News
Student Life
06/01
SP2 announces “Technology for Good” as One Book selection
SP2 has announced the selection of “Technology for Good: How Nonprofit Leaders Are Using Software and Data to Solve Our Most Pressing Social Problems” by Jim Fruchterman as its 2026 – 2027 One Book, One SP2 choice.
Explore Our Academic Programs
The world needs leaders equipped with tools to make a difference.
For over 110 years, SP2 has prepared students to confront complex social challenges and lead meaningful, lasting change.
Community Voices
Perspectives from our faculty & alumni.
Alum, Master of Social Work & Master of Science in Nonprofit Leadership (MSW-NPL) Dual Degree Program
Faculty Director of the Master of Science in Social Policy (MSSP) Program
Alum, Master of Social Work (MSW) Program
AlAlum, Master of Science in Social Policy + Data Analytics (MSSP+DA) Program
Chief Innovation Officer of SP2 & Director of SAFELab
Alum, Master of Social Work (MSW) Program
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When you give to SP2, you ensure our faculty, students, and alumni have the resources they need to be driving forces for positive change in child welfare, homelessness, mental health, public health policy, and more.
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Advancing the Social Good
Our intrinsic commitment to nondiscrimination, an array of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives, social well-being, and the social good is at the core of everything we do.
Research Areas
We’re conducting groundbreaking, transdisciplinary research that explores the root causes of social challenges – and works to produce innovative, effective solutions.
PhD alumna Julie Cederbaum, PhD’09, reflects on the experiences that prepared her for an academic career, the impact of teaching the next generation of social workers, and how her SP2 training continues to guide her work.
Continue Reading Shaping the next generation of social workers: A Q&A with Julie Cederbaum, PhD’09