Social Work - Community, Organization, and Social Action, MSW

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The MSW Program at the School of Social Work is accredited to offer two advanced specializations: Direct Practice with Individuals, Families, and Small Groups (DP) and Community, Organization, and Social Action (COSA). After completing Generalist curriculum requirements (or receiving the equivalent social work Advanced Standing credit), MSW students are required to complete class and practicum requirements for one of these two areas of specialized practice.  

The Community, Organization, and Social Action (COSA) specialization develops advanced knowledge and skills required for leadership careers in community human services, community development, and community change/social policy practice as professional social workers. COSA students acquire the ability to engage, assess, intervene, and evaluate practice with groups, organizations, and communities, incorporating evidence-informed approaches; a deep and abiding respect for diversity and difference; an emphasis on the strengths, assets, and empowerment of client systems; and a commitment to the social work profession’s values. Students develop specialized skills in community organizing and mobilization as well as organizational management and administration, bringing an understanding of how social work practice can contribute to securing human rights and social,  

economic, and environmental justice for all people. They also hone their critical thinking and self-reflective skills through their practicum and coursework. 

The University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work has the first and longest-standing program in Community Organizing (CO) in any social work or professional school in the country.  In fall 1958, the School launched its first two-year curriculum in Community Organizing (read more about the history of our community organizing program). Pitt was also one of the first schools of social work to offer a focus in social administration, now more commonly called human services or social work management. 

Graduates pursue established and emerging professional opportunities in public, private, profit, nonprofit and community-based organizations in such fields as health, children and youth, family services, disability services, community revitalization and development, philanthropy, policy and advocacy, community and social planning, community/neighborhood centers, human resources and community affairs, and more. In COSA, we see our work as: 

• Community Organizing, Planning, Development, and Change 

• Organizational Leadership and Human Services Management 

• Social Policy & Advocacy Practice in the Social Policy Arena 

• Action as Activist social workers leading change in communities, organizations, & policy arenas 

The COSA specialization is offered to MSW students in our Face-to-Face program option. 

Certificates 

COSA students may choose to pursue a certificate to acquire greater depth of knowledge and skills in a particular practice focus area: 

• Community Organizing and Practice 

• Gerontology  

• Human Services Management 

Each COSA certificate incorporates courses and field placement experiences that enable students to tailor their education and professional preparation. To earn a COSA certificate, students must fulfill all specialized COSA requirements, as well as those of their certificate.  

COSA students are not required to pursue a certificate. In fact, some students may have practice goals that do not neatly fit into any of the certificates and may benefit from planning a unique course of study within the requirements of the COSA specialization with their academic advisor.   

Curriculum 

The COSA specialization requires two COSA Skills Courses, a COSA human behavior course, a COSA policy analysis course, and an advanced applied research course. Students also complete two COSA skills electives and two open electives. They develop practice skills through twelve (12) credit hours of specialized COSA practicum.