School of Social Work
The School of Social Work, successor to the Division of Social Work in the Department of Sociology of the University, was founded in September 1938. The school shares with the University a commitment to the advancement and application of knowledge. Students in Pitt's School of Social Work learn the knowledge, skills, and values to engage in culturally competent practice with diverse populations and communities. They learn to critically analyze personal, familial, and environmental factors affecting practice settings and practice techniques, and to advocate for those who confront barriers to achieving their fullest potentials.
The school's students and faculty members also engage in scholarly activities that contribute to professional knowledge about complex social problems and innovative approaches to ameliorate those problems. In addition, school students, alumni, and personnel serve local, national, and international communities by developing and participating in collaborations with social agencies, community-based organizations, government, and foundations.
The mission of the School of Social Work is to advance knowledge and to apply that knowledge for the fulfillment of human potential through the prevention and amelioration of social problems. The school is committed to promoting the values of social and economic justice. Recognizing the complexities of contemporary society, the school dedicates itself through its educational, research, and public service activities to advocating for a society that respects the dignity and achievement of all individuals, families, and communities.
In furtherance of its mission, the School of Social Work strives to:
- Educate professional social workers with the knowledge, skills, and values needed to engage in culturally competent practice with diverse populations and communities; to critically analyze personal, familial, and environmental factors affecting practice settings and practice techniques; and to advocate for those who confront barriers to maximizing the achievement of their fullest potential.
- Engage in scholarly activities that contribute to professional knowledge about complex social problems and innovative approaches to ameliorate those problems.
- Provide service to local, national, and international communities through the development of and participation in collaborations with social agencies, community-based organizations, government, and foundations.
The school offers a full continuum of social work educational programs at the undergraduate, master's, and doctoral levels (as well as a continuing education program for practicing social workers). The school's bachelor's and master's programs in social work are accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, and graduates are eligible for full membership in the National Association of Social Workers.
Degree Options
The School of Social Work offers the Master of Social Work (MSW) and the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees. MSW students may combine their degree work with course work leading to a certificate. In addition, the School of Social Work has joint and cooperative degree options with other schools in the University as well as external institutions. The degree options include:
MSW
- Master of Social Work/Master of Divinity
- Master of Social Work/Master of Public Administration
- Master of Social Work/Master of Public and International Affairs
- Master of Social Work/Master of International Development
- Master of Social Work/Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Social Work
- Master of Social Work/Master of Public Health
- Master of Social Work/Juris Doctorate
PhD
- Master of Social Work/Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Social Work
- Master of Public Health/Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Social Work
Specific details regarding course requirements are described in this bulletin and on the School of Social Work Web site and in the Student Handbook.
Admissions
Admission to the MSW and PhD programs is for fall term (September) only. Applicants seeking full-time or part-time admission should submit the application far in advance of their expected entry into the program; all application materials are due no later than May 1 for the MSW program and December 31 for the PhD program of the year in which entry is expected. Applications are reviewed only upon receipt of all required materials. Application forms are available from:
- School of Social Work
- Office of Admissions
- 2104 Cathedral Of Learning
- 412-624-6302
- E-mail: tfab@pitt.edu
- www.socialwork.pitt.edu/admissions/
-
- Online applications are accepted at : app.applyyourself.com/?id=up-sw
For more specifics on admissions requirements for the MSW or the PhD, consult the description of the relevant degree program.
Admission of Students from Other Countries
The School of Social Work welcomes applications from students in other countries whose credentials meet the requirements and the standards of the School of Social Work and the Office of lnternational Services of the University.
MSW and PhD applicants from other countries must apply directly to the School of Social Work. Applicants must submit the completed application form, additional required forms, and other required materials in English. Additional University of Pittsburgh application procedures for international students are described at www.umc.pitt.edu/bulletins/graduate/application.htm. Other information and assistance for international students can be found online at www.ois.pitt.edu/intladmissions.html.
For MSW applicants only: International students who hold a baccalaureate degree in social work from a program that is not accredited by the Council on Social Work Education and who are interested in obtaining advanced standing credit must submit their transcript to the council for a determination of equivalency. Further Information can be found online at www.cswe.org.
Financial Assistance
Students interested in financial assistance to meet tuition and/or living costs should direct inquiries to both the Office of Admissions of the School of Social Work and the University's Office of Admissions and Financial Aid.
Students should be advised that limited resources often preclude any one funding source from granting awards that meet total financial needs. As a result, students are strongly encouraged to seek financial aid packages consisting of partial awards (including loans and scholarships) from a variety of sources, including the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid in Alumni Hall (412-624-PITT) and the School of Social Work Financial Aid Sources, Office of Admissions, Room 2104 Cathedral of Learning (412-624-6302; www.socialwork.pitt.edu/admissions/financial-aid.php. See also the University-wide information on Financial Aid.
Applications for financial assistance are accepted only after an admissions decision has been made. Awards are made for a one-year period. New applications are required for each succeeding period.
Academic Standards
The School of Social Work's expectations for student and faculty conduct are described in school policies and embody the standards of professional social work. Students in the School of Social Work are required to adhere to the NASW Code of Ethics.
Academic Review Policy
The school maintains an academic review policy that applies to all degree students in the school and that seeks to ensure academic standards of achievement (i.e., satisfactory performance in the field, satisfactory grades for academic course work, and reasonable rates of progress toward completion of degree requirements). The policy statement on academic review appears in the Student Handbook or online at www.socialwork.pitt.edu/downloads/academicreview.pdf.
Academic Integrity Policy
The school also has an academic integrity policy that applies to all students and faculty members in the school and seeks to ensure that students and faculty members respect the ethical standards expected of them in the performance of their duties and responsibilities. The policy statement on academic integrity appears in the School of Social Work Student Handbook or online at www.socialwork.pitt.edu/downloads/academicintegrity.pdf.
Statute of Limitations for School of Social Work Degrees and Leaves of Absence
MSW Program
There is a four-year limitation on the earning of the MSW degree. The four-year period is counted from the date of entry into the program for four full academic calendar years. Under extenuating circumstances (listed below), an advisor can recommend an extension of time to the MSW program director and the associate dean for academic affairs. If approved, the period of extension and the conditions for completing the program will be recorded in the student’s folder, with a copy sent to the student. Extenuating circumstances include the following:
- extended illness of the student,
- extended personal emergency,
- involuntary mobilization into a U.S. military unit, and
- death of a close family member.
Under special conditions, MSW students may be granted one leave of absence. A maximum leave of one full academic year may be granted to master’s students. A student wishing to take a leave of absence must submit in advance to the MSW program director a written request that indicates the length and rationale for the leave. The MSW program director and the associate dean for academic affairs will review the request. If approved, the time of the leave will not count against the total time allowed for the degree being sought by the student. Readmission following an approved leave of absence is a formality.
PhD Program
There is an eight-year statute of limitations for the completion of the PhD for students who enter with an MSW and who are not pursuing an MPH. There is a 10-year statute of limitations for students in the MSW/PhD program or the MPH/PhD program. Course work and the comprehensive examinations should be completed within three years and the dissertation within five. Under exceptional circumstances, a candidate for the PhD may apply for an extension of the statute of limitations. Requests for an extension of the statute of limitations must be submitted to the doctoral program director and must be approved by the doctoral committee and the dean. The request must be accompanied by a program assessment of the work required of the student to complete the degree and evidence of the extenuating circumstances leading to the requested extension. Students who request an extension of the statute of limitations must demonstrate proper preparation for the completion of all current degree requirements.
Under special conditions, doctoral students may be granted one leave of absence. A maximum leave of two academic calendar years may be granted to doctoral students. A student wishing to take a leave of absence must submit in advance to the doctoral program director a written request that indicates the length and rationale for the leave. The doctoral program director and the associate dean for academic affairs will review the request. If approved, the time of the leave will not count against the total time allowed for the degree being sought by the student. Readmission following an approved leave of absence is a formality.
NASW Code of Ethics
Professional ethics are at the core of social work. The profession has an obligation to articulate its basic values, ethical principles, and ethical standards. The NASW Code of Ethics sets forth these values, principles, and standards to guide social workers' conduct. The Code is relevant to all social workers and social work students, regardless of their professional functions, the settings in which they work, or the populations they serve. The NASW code of ethics can be viewed online at www.naswdc.org/pubs/code/default.asp.
Advising
Students are assigned a faculty advisor at the beginning of the student’s matriculation into the MSW or PhD program. Students in the MSW program are assigned an advisor from among the faculty and professional staff. The assignment is made by the MSW program director and remains in effect until changed after a request by an advisor or advisee, as indicated by field assignment or program change, or due to a change in the advisor’s assignment.
MSW and PhD Degree Requirements
The Master of Social Work (MSW) degree can be completed in two academic calendar years of full-time study and requires the satisfactory completion of a minimum of 60 credits—42 class and 18 field practicum. Candidates for the MSW degree must demonstrate successful completion of the required foundation courses, concentration-specific courses, and field practicum, and must have a minimum overall GPA of 3.00.
The PhD program requires 10 core courses, one policy elective, plus a minimum of five electives, which may be 2-, 3- or 4-credit courses. During their first year, all students are required to take the Doctoral Seminar (0 credits). Students will spend two years meeting their course requirements. Full-time status is defined as nine or more credit hours per semester. Fifty (50) credit hours must be completed before students are permitted to take the comprehensive examination.
In addition to the MSW and PhD degrees, graduate students in the School of Social Work have the opportunity to select from several unique dual degree programs. MSW students can avail themselves of one of the three joint or cooperative degree programs; two joint degree programs are available to PhD students.
Detailed below are joint degree programs offered by the School of Social Work in tandem with the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs, the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, and the Hebrew Union College School of Jewish Communal Service.
MSW/Master of Public Administration, MSW/Master of Public and International Affairs, and MSW/Master of International Development
Three unique joint degree programs are offered by the University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work, through its COSA concentration, and the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs. These joint programs provide students with a broad professional education to prepare them for eventual service in urban non-profit and government organizations, community development policy, and social and urban planning. They provide experienced students with opportunities to expand their knowledge base and enable other students to develop more marketable professional skills than are usually acquired through single-degree programs. Students in these joint programs earn a Master of Social Work from the School of Social Work and a Master of Public Administration, Master of Public and International Affairs or a Master of International Development from the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs.
Students must be admitted to both programs in order to qualify for admission to the joint degree program. Degree candidates must meet the minimum foundation, concentration, and specialized requirements of both schools, except where substitutions are appropriate and approved by the faculty advisors. Depending upon which joint degree program the student elects, the total number of credits required for graduation ranges from 72 to 88 credits. For most students, this means that individual programs can be completed within six to seven terms of full-time residency. Students electing to terminate the joint degree program before its completion must complete all the work required by the respective schools for either degree in order to receive that degree separately.
Students who prefer to apply through the mail may contact:
University of Pittsburgh
School of Social Work
Office of Admissions
2104 Cathedral of Learning
University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA 15260
(412) 624-6302
E-mail: mswinfo@pitt.edu
Or you may download and print the MSW Application.
University of Pittsburgh
Graduate School of Public and International Affairs
Office of Admissions
3601 Posvar
Pittsburgh, PA 15260
412-648-7640
www.gspia.pitt.edu
Master of Social Work/Master of Divinity
Social work and theology have many historical, philosophical, and applied commonalties. In an effort to integrate the two educational experiences and prepare professionals competent to integrate their practice skills, the School of Social Work, in cooperation with the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, has developed a cooperative degree program leading to the Master of Social Work and Master of Divinity degrees.
This program provides a full social work and theological education that may be completed in four years by virtue of mutual and reciprocal educational planning between the institutions. Candidates for the degrees normally enter the seminary and concentrate on theological studies during the first two years of the program. The third and fourth years are spent primarily in the School of Social Work with approximately one course each term being taken at the seminary. Students electing to terminate the cooperative degree program before its completion must complete all the work required by the respective institutions for either degree in order to receive that degree separately. Applications for admission are processed independently by each institution.
Requests for further information concerning the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary and its various programs may be addressed to the Director of Admissions, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, 616 North Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15206, or call 412-362-5610, ext. 2116. The seminary's Web site is www.pts.edu.
PhD Joint Degree Programs
The School of Social Work offers two joint degree programs to PhD students: one leading to the MSW and the PhD and another with the Graduate School of Public Health. (Separate applications are required for either MSW or MPH admission.)
Dual MSW-PhD Program
Each year, a small number of applicants express interest in pursuing both an MSW and a PhD in social work. These individuals often already possess a graduate degree in a related academic field, but find that their personal and professional interests lie more fully in the field of social work. Such applicants typically are interested in grounding themselves in the practice base of the social work profession, while also seeking to develop their advanced research and intellectual skills.
If you are interested in a faculty position in a school of social work after completing your PhD, please note that the Council on Social Work Education, the accrediting body for social work undergraduate and master's programs, requires that social work practice courses be taught by faculty with the MSW plus the equivalent of two years of full time post-BASW or post-MSW experience. Therefore, it is strongly recommended that individuals who do not possess an MSW and who desire an academic position in a school of social work should consider the option of our joint MSW-PhD program. We also strongly encourage those who do not have the requisite practice experience to obtain it before completing their PhD.
Separate applications are required for admission to each program. Those seeking further information regarding this dual degree program are encouraged to contact Dr. Valire Carr-Copeland, director of the doctoral program, (412) 624-6324, sswvcc@pitt.edu.
Joint MPH-PhD Option
The joint MPH/PhD program, is designed for social workers seeking administrative, policy, and/or academic positions. The overall training program clearly emphasizes leadership training rather than basic professional preparation. All trainees are Masters of Social Work (MSWs) (or equivalent) with at least two years of professional practice experience.
Students in the joint Master of Public Health/PhD program must be admitted to the Graduate School of Public Health as well as to the doctoral program in the School of Social Work. Course requirements for both programs must be fulfilled.
This joint degree requires the completion of a minimum of 81 credits, a comprehensive examination and successful defense of a dissertation. Graduate Students in the joint MPH/PhD program generally apply 12 credits from the MPH curriculum toward their elective course work for the PhD.
Children, Youth and Families Certificate
The Children Youth and Families Certificate Program is designed to prepare graduates of the MSW program to provide services to at-risk children and families through a wide range of public and private agencies. Students of the MSW Program may take required and elective courses leading to the Certificate in Children Youth and Families, which is awarded by the School of Social Work.
Human Service Management Certificate
Many social work graduates, including clinical practitioners, often find themselves moving up quickly into supervisor, management, and even executive positions. The generalist perspective and systems knowledge from their social work education provides a strong basis for leadership growth in a range of social work settings. To better prepare social work students to take advantage of leadership opportunities and enhance their personal and professional development, the School offers the Human Services Management Certificate.
The Human Services Management Certificate can be completed by both COSA and Direct Practice students in the course of their MSW. This certificate will also be proposed from completion on a post-Master's basis. Students pursuing this certification option must complete 12 credits.
For more information on the Human Services Management Certificate, please contact the Community Organization and Social Administration Concentration Chairperson, Tracy M. Soska at 412-624-3711 or tsssw@pitt.edu.
Special Academic Opportunities
The school offers several academic resources and programs for its students, as detailed below:
Student Participation on School Committees
Students have opportunities to participate in the governance of the School of Social Work by serving on school committees. Information about the purposes and functions of the committees is distributed during the beginning of each fall term. Through the Office of the Associate Dean for Admissions and Student Affairs, students can volunteer to serve on committees and become full members of those committees.
Student Executive Council (SEC)
All degree students in the School of Social Work comprise the membership of the student organization that elects the Student Executive Council. The council concerns itself with student life and serves as a liaison with the administration and faculty.
The Student Executive Council relies heavily on student participation and it endeavors to be of service to the student body. Activities include the publication of a student newsletter, the development of discussion sessions around critical social issues, the provision of opportunities for social action, the participation in planning for orientation, and the planning of a variety of social events.
In addition, SEC members, representing the student body, are appointed to serve in the following organizations and/or committees: Black Action Society; Student Chapter, NASW; Student Chapter, NABSW; Alumni Association (Liaison); BASW Club; and Graduate and Professional Student Association (GPSA).
Black Action Society (BAS)
The primary purpose of the Black Action Society is to provide a supportive service system to African American students in the School of Social Work. It is the hope of the Black Action Society that through its continued efforts and the cooperation of the Office of Student Affairs, African American students who matriculate in the School of Social Work will contribute significantly to the well being of the African American community as well as the general community.
Buhl Library
The Buhl Library of Social Work is a special collection of books, journals, and other resource materials specifically focused on social work. The Buhl Library is located on the first floor of Hillman Library and is staffed by a full-time social work librarian. Additionally, students at the School of Social Work have full access to the wide range of services provided by the University of Pittsburgh library system.
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