Your MSW Pathway
Columbia School of Social Work offers more degree options than any other social work school. To assist you in making the best choices for you, we created this overview page focused on the three main steps (two required, one optional) that will put you on the pathway to a Columbia MSW and a satisfying social work career.
1) Choose a Platform and a Program (Mandatory)
Most students select our Two-Year full-time residential program, but we offer a number of alternatives as well as an online learning platform.
View Options2) Choose a Social Work Specialization (Mandatory)
Students select one of four practice methods to concentrate on in their second year (three of which offer special programming tracks), along with one of seven fields of practice.
View Options3) Choose a Dual Degree or Minor (Optional)
We offer nine dual degree programs in partnership with other Columbia University graduate schools and affiliates, along with three minors.
View Options1) Choose a Platform and a Program
2 Platforms
7 Programs
- The 16-month Program cannot be taken online. All other programs are available both residentially and online.
- Compared to students in the Two-Year Program, 16-Monthers are more limited in their minor and dual degree options.
2) Choose a Social Work Specialization
4 Areas of Specialization
NOTE: Within the above areas, there are two specialized programming tracks, as follows:
- Students interested in becoming DBT interns should register their interest early by attending informational sessions in the fall of their first year.
- Interns in the DBT program are required to complete 75 credits, 15 more than the 60 credits required for the traditional MSW degree.
- Additional information about the DBT Program can be found here.
7 Fields of Practice
3) Choose a Dual Degree or Minor
9 Dual Degrees
The School of Social Work has partnerships with eight different schools, for a total of nine possible dual degrees:- Bank Street Graduate School of Education: MEd
- Columbia Business School: MBA
- Columbia Law School: JD
- Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation: MS, Urban Planning
- Jewish Theological Seminary: MA, Jewish Studies
- Mailman School of Public Health: MPH
- School of International & Public Affairs: MPA or MIA
- Union Theological Seminary: MDiv
3 Minors
Students at the School of Social Work can elect to combine their required social work studies with minor studies in these three disciplines:- Criminal Justice
- International Social Welfare
- NEW: Emerging Technology, Media and Society