Master's Degree in Social Work

The MSW Program’s mission is grounded in the purpose and values of the social work profession and an understanding of the program’s context. In furtherance of the University’s and School’s missions, the MSW Program strives to prepare graduates with the specialized knowledge and skills needed to engage in evidence-informed and culturally responsive advanced social work practice –either Direct Practice with Individuals, Families, and Small Groups or Community, Organization, and Social Action (COSA) –that promotes human and community well-being. It is guided by a person-in-environment framework, a global perspective, respect for human diversity, and knowledge-based scientific inquiry. The MSW Program’s mission reflects the social work profession’s values of service, social justice, dignity and worth, the importance of human relationships, integrity, competence, human rights, and scientific inquiry.

Students in Pitt's School of Social Work learn the knowledge, skills and values to engage in culturally competent practise with diverse populations and communities. They learn to critically analyze personal, familial and environmental factors affecting practice settings and techniques, and to advocate for those who confront barriers to achieving their fullest potentials.

The school's students and faculty members also engage in scholarship that contributes to professional knowledge about complex social problems and innovative approaches to ameliorating those problems. The Board of Visitors provides advice on the school's planning efforts.