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.
Master’s Programs
Equip yourself with the theoretical skills and practical experience you need to make a lifetime of impact as a skilled social worker, social policy analyst, or nonprofit leader through our MSW, MSSP, or NPL programs.
Master of Social Work (MSW)
Become an effective, compassionate social worker committed to impact and the pursuit of social good.
Format & Delivery
- On-campus
- Advanced Standing, Full-Time or Part-Time
Program Length
- Advanced Standing — 10 months
- Full-Time — 2 years
- Part-Time — 3 years
Program Highlights
- Enhance your degree with certificates, specializations & dual degree options
- Gain hands-on experience through Practicum opportunities across the Philadelphia region
- Join one of the top-ranked MSW programs in the U.S. (#8)
- Learn from relevant and exciting transdisciplinary research
- Graduate from a program fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education
Sample Career Outcomes
- Social Worker
- Therapist
- Caseworker
- Mental Health Clinician
- Counselor
- Policy Analyst
- Research Specialist
- Community Organizer
Master of Science in Social Policy (MSSP)
Create policy solutions that advance enduring social change.
Program option: MSSP+DA focuses on data analytics for social policy.
Format & Delivery
- On-campus
- MSSP — Full-Time or Part-Time
- MSSP + DA — Full-Time
Program Length
- MSSP Full-Time — 9 months
- MSSP Part-Time — 2-3 years
- MSSP+DA — 3 semesters
Program Highlights
- Enhance your degree with certificates & dual degree options*
- Gain hands-on experience through a 250-hour Policy Practicum (MSSP) or 150-hour Policy Practicum in data analytics (MSSP+DA)
- Tailor your studies through access to selected classes across Penn
- Build strong skills in research and evaluation, quantitative and qualitative reasoning, and communication
- MSSP+DA — Learn tools like R, Python, GIS, ArcGIS, and Tableau
*MSSP+DA students are not permitted to pursue dual degree or certificate programs.
Sample Career Outcomes
- Policy Analyst
- Research Specialist
- Consultant
- Data Scientist
- Legislative Aide
- Government Affairs Officer
Master of Science in Nonprofit Leadership (NPL)
Prepare to lead visionary nonprofit organizations working to make meaningful change.
Format & Delivery
- On-campus, Online, or Hybrid
- Full-Time or Part-Time
Program Length
- Full-Time — 10 months
- Part-Time — 2.5 years
Program Highlights
- Enhance your degree with certificates, specializations & dual degree options
- Gain hands-on experience through a Leadership Practicum with a host organization
- Designed for current nonprofit professionals, those looking to launch their careers, or career changers from other sectors
- Tailor your studies through access to selected classes across Penn
Sample Career Outcomes
- Nonprofit Leader
- Social Entrepreneur
- Fundraiser
- Development Director
- Philanthropic Advisor
- Grant Writer
- Corporate Social Responsibility Manager
Doctoral Programs
Prepare to make your mark as an advanced social welfare scholar, social work practitioner or nonprofit administrator through our rigorous PhD, DSW, or DNPA programs.
Doctorate in Clinical Social Work (DSW)
Advance your clinical expertise to become a leader in social work practice, research, and education.
Format & Delivery
- Full-Time
- Online with two, week-long on-campus immersion experiences
Program Length
- 3 years
Program Highlights
- Join the nation’s first social work doctorate focused exclusively on practice
- Learn in a hybrid format designed for busy working professionals
- Engage with renowned faculty leading cutting-edge courses on clinical practice, research, and teaching
- Conduct dissertation research on a pressing clinical social work issue
- Graduate from a program fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education
Sample Career Outcomes
- Promotions in clinical settings
- Lecturer, term faculty, practice professor and other non-tenure track position
- Tenure-track positions in small, teaching-oriented programs
PhD in Social Welfare
Pursue rigorous research to address complex social challenges and become a leader in academic, research, and policy-focused environments.
Format & Delivery
- Full-Time
- On-Campus
Program Length
- 4-6 years
Program Highlights
- Join a highly selective program
- Work with world-renowned faculty in areas as diverse as mental health, queer studies, sex work, homelessness, incarceration, gerontology, foster youth, and more
- Access Penn’s extensive research resources and everything else a world-class Ivy League university has to offer
- Receive financial support in the form of tuition, fees, individual health insurance, and a generous stipend
- Complete a dissertation that advances knowledge in Social Welfare
Sample Career Outcomes
- Faculty positions in schools across different disciplines including Social Work, Public Policy, and Public Health
- Leadership positions in government agencies, nonprofit organizations, think tanks, research institutes, and more
Doctorate in Nonprofit Administration (DNPA)
Strengthen your leadership to shape the future of the nonprofit sector.
Format & Delivery
- Full-Time
- Online with two, week-long on-campus immersion experiences
Program Length
- 3 years
Program Highlights
- Join the nation’s first practice doctorate focused exclusively on leadership for nonprofit administrators
- Learn in a hybrid format designed for busy working professionals
- Take courses taught by world-class Penn faculty and nonprofit CEOs
- Conduct dissertation research on leadership and innovation in the sector
Sample Career Outcomes
- Leadership positions at nonprofits, philanthropic foundations, social enterprises, government and policy organizations, and academic institutions and think tanks
- Consulting and advisory roles
“Here at SP2, we are looking for critical thinkers committed to making impactful change in our world. Each year, I look forward to welcoming a new cohort of students knowing that they will be impacting societal change on many levels.”
– Mary Mazzola, Associate Dean,
Enrollment Management and Global Outreach
Hear from our Students
Celebrate our students’ achievements and hear their perspectives on the SP2 experience.
Expand Your Experience
Expand your expertise across disciplines by pursuing dual degrees with partner schools from across Penn.
Engage in transdisciplinary collaboration through our unique partnerships with organizations around the world.
Deepen your SP2 experience by focusing on a specific sub-specialty or area of interest.