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

Choose an advanced policy from one of the following:  

  • SOWK 704: Social Work and the Law
  • SOWK 708: Integrated Behavioral Health Policy
  • SOWK 715: Children and Social Services Policy
  • SOWK 725: Work, Well-being, and Social Policy 
One specified course
  • SWOA 701 Advocacy [3 credits]
Three LPSC Courses of Your Choice

  • SWOA 703: Program Development

  • SWOA 704: Community Organization

  • SWOA 707: Social Policy & Social Change

  • SWOA 708 Supervision, Leadership, & Management

  • Three 1-Credit Courses that can be added up to one 3-credit course

    • SOWK 699.P: Results-based Accountability For Evaluation

    • SOWK 699.Q: Budgeting For Success And Sustainability

    • SOWK 699.R: Strategic Thinking, Strategic Planning, & Strategic Actions For Strategic Results

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 Standing 3 Credit Elective

Advanced Standing Students take an additional 3 credit elective.

Practicum
  • SWOA 794: Advanced LPSC Practicum I [6 credits]
  • SWOA 795: Advanced LPSC Practicum II [6 credits]

  • 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 

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