Standard of Excellence
- Nationally, the School is ranked 21st among 298 accredited graduate schools of social work (U.S. News and World Report, 2022).
- The School of Social Work, founded in 1918, has over 11,300 alumni; the school graduated 270 students this past year.
- Offers BASW, MSW and PhD degrees.
- Two MSW Concentrations: Direct Practice with Individuals, Families, and Small Groups (Direct Practice) and Community, Organization, and Social Action (COSA).
- First program of Community Organization in the country.
- Second largest Child Welfare training program in the country.
- Several joint Masters degrees and programs with other University programs, including the School of Public Health, School of Education, School of Public and International Affairs and others, as well as a MSW/JD with the Law School and a MSW/MBA with the Business School.
- Direct Practice Certificate programs: Gerontology, Home and School Visitor/School Social Worker, Children, Youth and Families, Integrated Healthcare, and Mental Health.
- We offer a part-time Master of Social Work (MSW) program at two of our regional campuses: the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford (UPB) and the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown (UPJ).
Demographics
- Total students: 674
- 83% female, 17% male
- Students of color make up over 25% of the student body.
- International students representing the countries of: China, South Korea, Peru, Japan, Nigeria, India, and Viet Nam and more.
- Over 37% of full-time faculty members are faculty of color.
Financial Assistance
- More than 60% of full time graduate students receive financial assistance through the School.
- Awarded 159 training fellowship awards, totaling more than $2 million in additional financial support.
- Full tuition remission and stipends for living expenses are available for PhD students.
Research
- The SSW has externally funded projects totaling over $30 million dollars.
- Faculty with a wide range of expertise in many topics including: mental illness, substance abuse, health behavior interventions, HIV/AIDS, child welfare, aging, grief and loss, community practice, race and gender issues, and juvenile justice.
Field Placements
- Choice of more than 500 field work opportunities.
Centers
- Center for Research on Innovations in Services and Equity in Mental Health (RISE-MH)
- Center on Race and Social Problems (CRSP)
- Pennsylvania Child Welfare Resource Center
Transforming Careers
- Students have won many prestigious national and international scholarships, including Fulbright Scholarships, Albert Schweitzer Fellowships, a Boren Fellowship, and a Doris Duke Fellowship.
- Doctoral graduates go on to become deans, tenured faculty, and some of the country’s leading researchers.
- Comprehensive professional development and continuing education program.
- The Vankirk Career Center has face-to-face contact with 100% of students in their first year.
- Ongoing workshops and one-on-one career development meetings that are available to both students and alumni at no cost.
Learn more about our Admissions process »