University of Pennsylvania School of Social Policy & Practice

At the University of Pennsylvania School of Social Policy & Practice (SP2), we’re preparing the next generation of changemakers to work tirelessly for social innovation, social good, and impact. 

Throughout its history, SP2 has dedicated itself to understanding and embracing differences. For more than 110 years, SP2 has been a powerful force in the world, working towards social good and social change through research and practice. SP2 contributes to the advancement of more effective, efficient, and humane human services through education, research, and civic engagement. The passionate pursuit of social innovation, social impact, and social good is at the heart of the School’s knowledge-building activities.Today, our historic commitment to community engagement, nondiscrimination, and the social good intersects with a deep commitment to supporting marginalized individuals, families, and communities.

SP2 strives to be a space of principled community, valuing differences of opinion, background, and experience and working to foster an institutional environment where we all think openly, honestly, reflectively, and deeply about questions and ideas that both unite and divide us. The topics that we grapple with every day—from homelessness and discrimination to prisoner re-entry and poverty, responsible philanthropy to economic mobility, aging and child welfare—are some of the biggest facing society. They can sometimes seem intractable, but we believe that addressing them through a truly thoughtful and collaborative lens empowers us to work together to reimagine and rebuild our social world.

SP2 brings together top-ranked social work degrees with innovative policy and leadership programs that dig deep into social innovation, big data, and other trends reshaping social policy and practice. Our faculty are highly respected practitioners conducting groundbreaking research in areas like homelessness and restorative entrepreneurship. They are equal parts scholar, teacher, and mentor, and are dedicated to working for fairness and impact.