Bryn Mawr College, a women’s liberal arts educational institution in Pennsylvania, has renamed its existing master of social service (M.S.S.) degree to a new master of social work (M.S.W.) degree.
Notably, the name change has no impact on the degree’s curriculum, faculty, practicum education, and academic expectations. Instead, the update aims to better align the program with the standard terminology used across the social work profession. According to the college, data analytics suggest that searches for social work programs do not readily identify the M.S.S. degree, thereby limiting Bryn Mawr’s ability to broaden its applicant pool to students not already aware of the program.
“This is an evolution in terminology that better reflects what has long been true,” said Janet Shapiro, dean of the Graduate School of Social Work and Social Research. “Bryn Mawr has always prepared highly capable and knowledgeable social workers whose education is equivalent in every way to an M.S.W. Aligning our degree title ensures that the strength of that preparation is immediately recognized across the profession.”
Dr. Shapiro added, “In today’s professional landscape, the M.S.W. degree is universally recognized. Adopting this terminology removes a barrier to recognition while we continue to preserve the depth, values, and intellectual rigor that define a Bryn Mawr education.”
Students entering the program in 2027 will be the first cohort to earn the renamed degree.