The College Announces Transition to Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) Degree Title

Bryn Mawr College is renaming its Master of Social Service (M.S.S.) degree to the Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) to better align the degree with the standard terminology used across the social work profession.

The transition reflects a shift in naming—not in substance. Bryn Mawr's program, widely recognized for its rigor and clinical depth, will continue unchanged in curriculum, faculty, practicum education, and academic expectations.

"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." 

The degree name "Master of Social Service" dates to the 1915 founding of the GSSWSR and reflects the era in which the program began, prior to the establishment of social work accrediting bodies or the licensing of social workers. Bryn Mawr's social work program has been a pioneer in social work education and research, and remains distinguished for its integration of theory, research, and practice, and its commitment to social justice. The M.S.S. degree long served as a distinctive marker of that legacy, signaling a Bryn Mawr-educated practitioner in the field. 

But current data analytics suggest that searches for social work programs do not readily identify the M.S.S. degree, thereby limiting the College's ability to broaden its applicant pool to include people not already aware of Bryn Mawr's program. 

College leadership emphasized that the decision was made to improve clarity and visibility for graduates, particularly with employers and licensing boards, and prospective students, who increasingly expect the M.S.W. designation. 

"In today's professional landscape, the M.S.W. degree is universally recognized," Shapiro said. "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 to earn the M.S.W. Bryn Mawr reaffirmed its commitment to alumni who hold the M.S.S. degree, noting that their credentials remain unchanged and fully respected within the field. 

 "The M.S.S. will always be a proud and meaningful part of Bryn Mawr's history," Shapiro added. "Our alumni have shaped the profession under that name, and their work continues to define its value." 

Note: An FAQ about this change is available here.