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Requirements and Instructions

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The Two-Year Program consists of two academic years (four semesters) of full-time

enrollment. Students in the Two-Year Program complete 60 credits and 1200 hours of field

work, spending two days per week in the classroom and three days per week in the field. In

the first year, students take foundational courses in social work practice methods, social

work research, and psychological and social theory. In the second year, students select a

concentration area and field of practice for specialized courses and field work. Students

complete field education hours during both years of the program. Throughout this program,

students choose from a broad range of elective courses to best develop additional expertise

in areas such as: family or group interventions, treatment of children, adolescents and

young adults, responding to trauma, working with veterans and their families, and nonprofit

fall entry. Students in the 16-Month Program complete the MSW degree requirements in

four consecutive terms by continuing full-time through the summer term. Requirements

mirror those of the Two-Year Program: 60 credits, 1200 hours of field work, and four

consecutive terms of full-time enrollment.

ADVANCED STANDING

(On-Campus and Online)

The Advanced Standing Program is designed for individuals who have earned a bachelor’s

degree in social work (BSW) accredited from the Council on Social Work Education. Eligible

applicants must have received their BSW degree within the past five years; if the BSW was

EXTENDED

(On-Campus and Online)

The Extended Program is a pathway for students who wish to combine part-time and full-

time study. The program enables students to complete the course work and field education

requirements in three or four academic years. In the first year, students take

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courses part-time and are not enrolled in field work. In the final two years, students

complete 1200 hours of field education while completing their course load requirements.

NOTE: Once students begin field education, they are considered full-time students, and

must be at their placement site three days per week (21 hours total). Weekend and evening

placements are not available.

School, and earn their Master of Science in Social Work degree through a combination of

part-time and full-time study over a period of no fewer than four terms and no longer than

four years.

However, in place of their foundation year field placement, students enroll in a field

education seminar in which they integrate classroom learning with their employment

experiences. In their final year, students complete a 28-hour per week field placement,

usually at their place of employment, of which 14 hours of their usual employment activities

may be counted. Most students complete their field education requirement in a four-day per

week schedule.

The Reduced Residency Program is structured into two periods: the pre-residency period

(On-Campus and Online)

The Transfer Program is designed for individuals who have already completed a full year of

field education and coursework at another CSWE-accredited graduate school of social work

in the United States and Canada. Eligible applicants to the Transfer Program must have

completed their credits within the past five years. Students who are accepted into the

Transfer Program complete their studies within one year. Students enter the School as a

second-year student and follow the second-year course of study in their chosen method

area and field of practice.

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FIVE-TERM INTERNATIONAL

(On-Campus Only)

the first and second years. ISP students enroll in a Professional Immersion Seminar during

summer term (late May through the end of July or early August).

NOTE: Depending on an individual’s English language proficiency, some applicants may be

invited to attend a six-week course for non-native English speakers during the summer

before entering ISP. This course, “English for Professional Purposes: Social Work”, includes

English-language instruction (speaking, reading, writing and comprehension) and an

introduction to key concepts in social work and social work institutions in the U.S. (e.g., self

awareness, the U.S. social system, social welfare policy, and an overview of social services).

Applicants must submit all materials directly to the Office of Admissions; items submitted

through an agent or third-party vendor are not accepted. The following are exceptions to

partner agencies (IIE, LASPAU, and AMIDEAST); submissions by the Danish-American

Fulbright Commission (DAF); submissions by Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst

(DAAD). Additionally, the applicant will be required to attest to the accuracy and

authenticity of all information and documents submitted to Columbia. Questions about this

documents and statements made in documents submitted by students as part of the

application review process.

All applicants to the Master of Science in Social Work program are required to submit the

following:

Application Fee

The $75 application fee is required upon submission of the application. Application fee

waivers are granted to alumni of AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, Teach for America, McNair

Scholars, Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP), and Educational Opportunity

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after creating an online application. Applicants should not submit an application fee if they

fall into one of these categories. All submitted fees are non-refundable.

Resume

Please submit a detailed current resume that lists paid work and volunteer experience

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China Higher Education Student’s Academic Transcripts” AND a “Verification Report of China

Higher Education Qualification Certificate”. These should be delivered electronically to the

appropriate admissions office at Columbia.

ADVANCED STANDING PROGRAM

Program instructions in the Admission Essays section, answering essay questions 1,

Evaluation Form completed by a field instructor or appropriate person at your BSW

program. The form can be found in the references section of the application. The

form can be submitted by mail or as an email attachment to cssw-

taken in their final semester(s). Course descriptions should be uploaded in the “Admissions

Essays” section of the application. The list may also be sent by email.

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REDUCED RESIDENCY PROGRAM

Program instructions in the Admission Essays section, answering questions 1, 2, and

English Language Proficiency

To be considered for admission to a graduate program at the Columbia School of Social

Work, students must be comfortable with rapid and idiomatic spoken English. If the

language of the applicant’s undergraduate degree was English and they are a citizen or

permanent resident of a country whose official national language is English, they need not

for more information on this examination. A minimum score of 7.0 is necessary for

admission to Columbia.

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Applicants may submit a English Proficiency Waiver Form if they wish to be considered from

exemption.

Admissions Interview

An online interview is required for applicants who are not U.S. Citizens or Permanent

Essential Abilities and Attributes for Admission and Continuance

In general, successful applicants will demonstrate the “Essential Abilities and Attributes for

Admission and Continuance in the School of Social Work” outlined below.

The following standards, distinguished from academic standards, describe the physical,

cognitive, emotional, and character requirements to provide reasonable assurance that

students can complete the entire course of study and participate fully in all aspects of social

work education and practice.

abilities and attributes at a level appropriate to their year in the program. They are

expected to meet these standards in the classroom, in their practice, and elsewhere.

Attention to these standards will be part of evaluations made by faculty responsible for

evaluating applications for admission as well as by faculty responsible for evaluating

students’ classroom and practicum performance.

Motor Abilities

The social work student must have sufficient motor abilities to attend class and practicum

placement. Reasonable accommodation through technology for limitations in motor abilities

will be allowed. The Office of Disability Services may be consulted regarding reasonable

senses. Reasonable accommodation through technology for limitations in sensory abilities

will be allowed. The Office of Disability Services may be consulted regarding reasonable

accommodations. For more information, please visit www.health.columbia.edu/disability-

services