The University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work is committed to its mission of preparing courageous leaders to transform social work practice, policy, research, and education in a community-engaged and inclusive environment. We build and develop collaborative partnerships to understand, prevent, and ameliorate complex social problems with innovative approaches that promote social justice.
Pitt Social Work is ranked 12th in the nation by U.S. News & World Report among graduate schools of social work. Founded in 1918, it was the first school in the country to offer a program in community organization and one of the first to offer a specialization in child welfare.
The school’s three degree programs— Bachelor of Arts in Social Work, Master of Social Work, and Doctor of Philosophy— are taught by one of the most diverse faculties at the University and instill in students a commitment to racial, social, and economic justice. As part of one of the leading public research universities in the world, social work students can take advantage of joint degree programs in several of the University’s highly ranked professional schools.
The school’s vision statement to transform – our world, our future, ourselves -- cannot be accomplished without centering anti-racism as an essential and non-negotiable commitment for our school and each member of it: students, staff, and faculty. With our Center on Race and Social problems as an integral part of our school, we build on our history of tackling issues of racism through teaching, research, and service. We have committed ourselves to a set of guiding principles and activities to assure that we are always working to become a more anti-racist, anti-oppressive, inclusive and welcoming school.