Student Life

Take Advantage of the Richness of Campus Life

Beyond classes and practicum, the Columbia School of Social Work and the wider university offers countless opportunities for students to extend their networks, open up job possibilities, and practice their professional skills.

Social Work students lead caucuses, write for publications, organize events, and engage in activism of various kinds.

Student Body

There are about 800 students in residence at the Columbia School of Social Work during any given term, ranging in age from their early 20s to early 60s (the average age is mid-20s). Around 85 percent of our student body is female; about 12–15 percent come from 30 nations besides the U.S. and speak 25 languages. More than a third of the student community is made up of students of color (e.g., African American, Asian American, Hispanic, biracial). Most students belong to at least one of the more than twenty caucuses and student groups.

Honing Your Professional Skills

Student Caucuses

Cultivate relationships with your peers, grow your professional network, and practice being an advocate and leader by joining one or more of the 20+ caucuses at the School of Social Work.

Student Union

The Student Union is the official representative student council of the School of Social Work. Its mission is to enhance the educational experience of the student body through fostering activities and consistent advocacy.

Social Work Licensing

Social Work is a regulated profession whose laws, rules, and regulations are defined by each state. Learn how to prepare for licensing.

Additional Questions Concerning Student Life at CSSW

For students at a major urban university like Columbia, the biggest challenge lies in choosing among the myriad activities competing for your attendance and participation. At the School of Social Work, there is Self-Care Day in the fall, Community Day in the spring, and a Spring Gala at the end of the academic year; this is in addition to School-sponsored panels, film screenings, and other gatherings you won’t want to miss.

For example, the Criminal Justice Caucus plans an annual conference called Beyond the Bars, which has featured panelists and speakers such as Angela Davis, Michelle Alexander, and Bryonn Bain.

You can join a caucus, start a caucus, or check out the student journal or PDSA.

To get started, we suggest that you review the Student Caucuses or contact Student Life.
 

Each week you’ll receive an email listing caucus-sponsored and other CSSW and university-wide events. These events are also listed on posters and fliers throughout the Social Work Building as well as on the digital monitor located in the lobby. Another way to stay in touch is to check the online events calendar.

If you enjoy working on publications, consider becoming involved in our annual student journal, the Columbia Social Work Review.

The Review serves as a kind of forum for social work students to share their research, experience, and views with faculty, fellow students, and the larger social work community. The Review is always on the lookout for experienced editors as well as submissions on timely topics.

Every student event must be sponsored by a recognized Student Group or School Office, so your first step should be to contact a Student Caucus group or the Office of Enrollment and Student Services.  

Your Student Activity Fee covers the cost of most of the School’s student events, including supporting the affinity group graduations in May. 

Each semester, student representatives and each of the caucus leaders submit a budget proposal to the Office of Student Services detailing their planned events for the academic year.

Once their budgets have been approved, they start putting those events in place.