Certificate Programs & Specializations

The School of Social Policy & Practice (SP2) places great emphasis on transdisciplinary study and enables students to study topics in-depth through certificate programs and specializations. Typically, these programs require that students take courses in the granting department/school and one or two courses from a prescribed topic area.

Full-time students in each of SP2’s three master’s programs – the Master of Social Work (MSW), Master of Science in Social Policy (MSSP), and Master of Science in Nonprofit Leadership (NPL) – are eligible to pursue one or more certificate programs and specializations as part of their master’s degree. Depending on course scheduling and student flexibility, Advanced Standing MSW and part-time students may also be able to incorporate a certificate program or specialization into their course of study. Please contact your advisor with any questions.

Completing a certificate sometimes requires students to take additional courses beyond the regular number of credits and standard tuition costs required to earn the degree. Students should discuss their certificate program plans with their academic advisor as early as possible to plan their course of study.

It is expected that all requirements for the certificate be met while the student is completing the master’s degree. Any exceptions must be approved in advance.

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CERTIFICATES

Certificate for Applied Data Ethics, Law, and the Social GoodMASTERS

Develop the applied skills and knowledge needed to support data use in policy and practice that is legal, ethical, and focused on the social good.

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CERTIFICATES

Advanced Certificate in Oncology Social Work PracticeMSW

The Advanced Certificate in Oncology Social Work Practice is designed for current healthcare social workers to gain superior knowledge and skills for work with individuals, families, and communities impacted by cancer.

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CERTIFICATES

LGBTQ+ CertificateMASTERS

Provides supplemental content and skills to existing professional master’s degrees at Penn with specialized courses and fieldwork addressing the legal, physical and mental health care, social service, and educational needs of LGBTQ+ communities and issues of gender and sexuality, more generally, across the lifespan.

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CERTIFICATES

Global Human Rights CertificateMSW/MSSP

Designed to provide enriched perspectives on human rights.

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CERTIFICATES

MSW Certificate in LawMASTERS

The University of Pennsylvania Law School offers a Certificate in Law to students enrolled in a graduate or professional degree program at Penn.

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CERTIFICATES

Graduate Certificate in Latin American and Latinx StudiesMSW/MSSP

This certificate is awarded by the University of Pennsylvania’s Center for Latin American and Latinx Studies (LALS) to SP2 students who wish to gain exposure in Latin America and Latinx Studies in conjunction with their social work education.

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CERTIFICATES

MSW/Home-School Visitor Certificate ProgramMSW

SP2 is approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education to prepare students to apply to the state for the MSW Home-School Visitor Certificate.

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CERTIFICATES

Ann Nolan Reese Penn Aging CertificateMSW

Through the Penn Aging Certificate (PAC) Program, you can be a social change agent and a leader in the significant field of gerontological social work.

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CERTIFICATES

MSSP Certificate in LawMASTERS

Provides an opportunity to become immersed in important legal topics in the areas of their academic interest.

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CERTIFICATES

MSSP + Data Analytics for Social Policy CertificateMSSP+DA

Use data science to actively impact equity, equality, and social good. The MSSP Program + Data Analytics for Social Policy Certificate (MSSP+DA) is a STEM-designated degree that empowers you to leverage social policy and data analytics to address economic, educational, and health inequities.

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