Social Work, MSW
The Master of Social Work (MSW) Program at the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Social Policy & Practice is one of the oldest and most well-respected social work programs in the country. The program (ranked 8th in the nation by U.S. News and World Report) is designed to prepare social workers for leadership roles in developing and providing services to individuals, families, groups, communities, and organizations in the local, national, and global arenas. Penn’s MSW degree melds cutting-edge innovation with a rich educational tradition rooted in social justice and social change.
While students may customize their schedules due to participation in a dual degree or certificate program, enrollment in an international course or study abroad experience, the needs of their practicum placement, or successfully passing a waiver exam, the grid below outlines the standard schedule and course of study for full-time students.
For more information: https://www.sp2.upenn.edu/program/master-of-social-work/
The degree and major requirements displayed are intended as a guide for students entering in the Fall of 2026 and later. Students should consult with their academic program regarding final certifications and requirements for graduation.
Curriculum
| Code | Title | Course Units |
|---|---|---|
| Core Requirements | ||
| SWRK 6010 | History and Philosophy of Social Work and Social Welfare | 1 |
| SWRK 6020 | Human Behavior in the Social Environment | 1 |
| SWRK 6030 | American Racism and Social Work Practice | 1 |
| SWRK 6040 | Foundations of Social Work Practice I and Practicum | 1 |
| SWRK 6140 | Foundations of Social Work Practice II and Practicum | 1 |
| SWRK 6150 | Introduction to Social Work Research | 1 |
| SWRK 7130 | Understanding Social Change: Issues of Race and Gender | 1 |
| Select one 7000 level Policy Elective with: Attribute SMWP | 1 | |
| Select one 7000 level Research Option with: Attribute SMWR | 1 | |
| Electives | ||
| Select four electives with at least two credits in the following subjects: | 4 | |
MSSP, SWRK, NPLD | ||
| Concentration | 3 | |
| Choose one of the following concentrations: | ||
| Clinical Practice Concentration | ||
| Advanced Clinical Social Work Practice I and Practicum | ||
| Advanced Clinical Social Work Practice II and Practicum | ||
| Mental Health Diagnostics | ||
| Macro Practice Concentration | ||
| Advanced Macro Social Work Practice I and Practicum | ||
| Advanced Macro Social Work Practice II and Practicum | ||
| Choose one of the following electives: | ||
| Impacting Government: Policy Analysis & Coalition Building | ||
| Clinical and Macro Child Welfare Practice | ||
| Building Community Capacity | ||
| Strategic Planning & Resource Development for Public & Nonprofit Organizations | ||
| Political Social Work | ||
| Global Human Rights & US Immigration: Implications for Policy & Practice | ||
| Supervision and Leadership in Human Services Organizations | ||
| Aging: The Intersection of Policy and Practice | ||
| Postcolonial Social Work Practice: International Social Welfare in India | ||
| Family Economic Mobility: Problems and Policies | ||
| Total Course Units | 16 | |
Sample Plan of Study
Full Time (Two-Year)
The full-time MSW program is designed for students who plan to complete their program on a full-time basis.
- Schedule: Earned over two academic years; begins with a required orientation in August and concludes the following academic year with commencement in May.
- Practicum Placement: One practicum placement during each academic year; three days per week are spent in practicum. Learn more about practicum placement.
- Curriculum: Students take four courses per semester (eight courses per academic year).
This is the standard schedule and course of study for full-time students, though students may customize their schedule if pursuing a dual degree or certificate/specialization program, or if required in order to complete their practicum placement.
For more information: https://www.sp2.upenn.edu/program/master-of-social-work/
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Course Units | |
| Foundation-year practicum begins in September and ends in April. | ||
| SWRK 6010 | History and Philosophy of Social Work and Social Welfare 1 | 1.0 |
| SWRK 6020 | Human Behavior in the Social Environment 1 | 1.0 |
| SWRK 6030 | American Racism and Social Work Practice 1 | 1.0 |
| SWRK 6040 | Foundations of Social Work Practice I and Practicum 1,2 | 1.0 |
| Course Units | 4.00 | |
| Spring | ||
| SWRK 6140 | Foundations of Social Work Practice II and Practicum 1,2 | 1.0 |
| SWRK 6150 | Introduction to Social Work Research 1 | 1.0 |
| Select one 7000 level Policy Elective | 1.0 | |
| Select one of the following: | 1.0 | |
| Mental Health Diagnostics | ||
7000 level Elective | ||
| Course Units | 4.00 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| Advanced-year practicum placement begins in September and ends in April. | ||
| SWRK 7040 or SWRK 7080 | Advanced Clinical Social Work Practice I and Practicum 1,2 or Advanced Macro Social Work Practice I and Practicum | 1.0 |
| Select two 7000 level electives | 2.0 | |
| Select one 7000 level Research Option | 1.0 | |
| SWRK 7100 | Supervision Seminar 3 | 0.0 |
| Course Units | 4.00 | |
| Spring | ||
| SWRK 7140 or SWRK 7180 | Advanced Clinical Social Work Practice II and Practicum 1,2 or Advanced Macro Social Work Practice II and Practicum | 1.0 |
| SWRK 7130 | Understanding Social Change: Issues of Race and Gender | 1.0 |
| Select two 7000 level electives | 2.0 | |
| SWRK 7100 | Supervision Seminar 3 | 0.0 |
| Course Units | 4.00 | |
| Total Course Units | 16.00 | |
- 1
Waiver Exams are offered for SWRK 6010 and SWRK 6020 every August, and for SWRK 6150 every October. Students who score a qualifying grade on a waiver exam for SWRK 6010 and/or SWRK 6020 may take an elective in place of the required course. Students who score a qualifying grade on a waiver exam for SWRK 6150 may take another advanced research course in its place, as all MSW students take two research courses.
- 2
Practicum classes are a year-long sequence. Students remain in the same section of SWRK 6040/SWRK 6140 for the entire year, and remain in the same section of SWRK 7040/SWRK 7140 or SWRK 7080/SWRK 7180 for the entire second year.
- 3
Non-credit/non-tuition course. For students without an MSW practicum supervisor.
Part-Time Hybrid (Three-Year)
The part-time hybrid MSW Program is designed for students who want to pursue a career in social work with a program that includes up to 50% of coursework online, but are not prepared to matriculate on a full-time basis.
- Schedule: Earned over three academic years; begins with a required orientation in August and concludes after three academic years with commencement in May.
- Practicum Placement: One practicum placement in each of the second and third years of the program; students spend 16 hours per week in practicum (8 of their 16 hours must be during regular business hours, Monday – Friday, 8 AM – 6 PM). Learn more about practicum placement.
- Curriculum: Two courses during both the fall and spring semesters for three academic years and during two summers. Part-time students are given priority registration so that they can enroll in classes that best accommodate their schedules, including evening classes.
This is the standard schedule and course of study for part-time students in the hybrid program, though students may customize their schedules due to participation in a certificate program, the needs of their practicum placement, etc.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Course Units | |
| SWRK 6010 | History and Philosophy of Social Work and Social Welfare (In Person) | 1 |
| SWRK 6030 | American Racism and Social Work Practice (In Person) | 1 |
| Course Units | 2.00 | |
| Spring | ||
| SWRK 6150 | Introduction to Social Work Research (In Person) | 1 |
| SWRK 7xxx Policy Option (Online) | 1 | |
| Course Units | 2.00 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| Foundation year practicum placement begins in September and continues through the end of June. | ||
| SWRK 6020 | Human Behavior in the Social Environment (Online) | 1 |
| SWRK 6040 | Foundations of Social Work Practice I and Practicum (In Person) | 1 |
| Course Units | 2.00 | |
| Spring | ||
| SWRK 6140 | Foundations of Social Work Practice II and Practicum (In Person) | 1 |
| SWRK 7600 | Mental Health Diagnostics (Or Other Elective Online) | 1 |
| Course Units | 2.00 | |
| Summer | ||
| SWRK 7xxx Research Option (Online) | 1 | |
| SWRK 7xxx Elective 1 (Online) | 1 | |
| Course Units | 2.00 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| Advanced year practicum placement begins in early August before third-year classes begin and finishes in April at the end of the spring semester. | ||
| SWRK 7040 or SWRK 7080 | Advanced Clinical Social Work Practice I and Practicum (In Person) or Advanced Macro Social Work Practice I and Practicum | 1 |
| SWRK 7xxx Elective | 1 | |
| Course Units | 2.00 | |
| Spring | ||
| SWRK 7140 or SWRK 7180 | Advanced Clinical Social Work Practice II and Practicum (In Person) or Advanced Macro Social Work Practice II and Practicum | 1 |
| SWRK 7130 | Understanding Social Change: Issues of Race and Gender (In Person) | 1 |
| Course Units | 2.00 | |
| Summer | ||
| SWRK 7600 | Mental Health Diagnostics (or Other Elective Online) | 1 |
| SWRK 7xxx Elective (Online) | 1 | |
| Course Units | 2.00 | |
| Total Course Units | 16.00 | |
Advanced Standing (10-months)
- Schedule: Begins with a required orientation in July and ends with commencement in May.
- Practicum Placement: Includes either a clinical or a macro concentration practicum placement that begins in July and ends in April; students are in practicum three days per week. Learn more about practicum placement.
- Curriculum: During the summer semester, students take two credit-bearing courses and one non-credit-bearing course. During the fall and spring semesters, students take the equivalent of four courses per semester.
This is the standard schedule and course of study for Advanced Standing students, though students may customize their schedule due to participation in a certificate program, the needs of their practicum placement, etc.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summer | Course Units | |
| SWRK 6030 | American Racism and Social Work Practice | 1 |
| SWRK 6200 | Integrative Seminar | 0 |
| SWRK 7xx Research Option | 1 | |
| Course Units | 2.00 | |
| Fall | ||
| SWRK 7040 or SWRK 7080 | Advanced Clinical Social Work Practice I and Practicum 1 or Advanced Macro Social Work Practice I and Practicum | 1 |
| SWRK 7xxx Elective #1 (SWRK 7600 is a required elective for clinical concentration students; may be taken in either semester) | 1 | |
| SWRK 7xxx Elective #2 | 1 | |
| SWRK 7xxx Elective #3 | 1 | |
| Course Units | 4.00 | |
| Spring | ||
| SWRK 7140 or SWRK 7180 | Advanced Clinical Social Work Practice II and Practicum 1 or Advanced Macro Social Work Practice II and Practicum | 1 |
| SWRK 7130 | Understanding Social Change: Issues of Race and Gender | 1 |
| SWRK 7xx Policy Option | 1 | |
| SWRK 7xxx Elective #4 | 1 | |
| Course Units | 4.00 | |
| Total Course Units | 10.00 | |