Leadership, Policy and Social Change

The Leadership Policy and Social Change (LPSC) Concentration prepares social workers to create equitable policies through advocacy, build strong communities through organizing, and lead social programs, services, and nonprofits.  Social workers in the leadership, policy and social change concentration practice in a variety of industries including the state and federal government, schools and colleges, as well as workforce and community development. 

Concentration Requirements

Advanced Policy
  • SOWK 701 Public Policy for Social Justice – Part 1 [1.5 credits]
  • SOWK 702 Public Policy for Social Justice - Part 2  [1.5 credits]
One specified course
  • SWOA 701 Advocacy [1.5 credits]
Three LPSC Courses of Your Choice
  • SWOA 703: Program Development
  • SWOA 704: Community Organizing
  • SWOA 707: Social Policy & Social Change
  • SWOA 708 Supervision, Leadership, & Management
  • SWOA 709: Remake the World: Skills and Strategies of Community Action
6 Credits of Electives

Students may choose any advanced level course to meet an elective requirement

For those having a sub-clinical concentration, please take the following courses:

  • SWCL 700 Advanced Clinical Interventions or SWCL 744 Assessment, Diagosis, and Intervention Planning
  • One Clinical Methods Course (Any Course with an SWCL Prefix)

  • Advanced Year LPSC Practicum Experience

    Students in the Leadership, Policy, & Social Change concentration will interact with local, national, and international experts through a practicum learning experience. Practicum placement options explore program development, community organizing, legislative advocacy, policy formulation, employee assistance, and grassroots leadership development from over 70 available agencies in the Baltimore-DC region. Learn more about Practicum.

    Advanced Year LPSC Practicum Experience

  • Clinical Licensure and Career Resources

    Students in the LPSC Concentration are eligible to apply to take the LMSW exam. All MSW Students can apply to take the LMSW exam in Maryland once they have begun their final semester. For District of Columbia licensure, students must be within 90 days of graduation. Learn more about licensure resources and support offered at the UMSSW.

    Clinical Licensure and Career Resources

LPSC Faculty Chairs

Nalini Negi

Nalini Negi, MSW, PhD 

Adam Schneider Headshot

Adam Schneider, MSW

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Ready to be a Changemaker?