Advanced Standing Program

Advanced Standing students receive up to 27 transfer credits enabling them to matriculate as second-year students and earn their degrees in one year. They complete a minimum of 33 credits at Columbia University (21 through coursework and 12 through practicum learning).

As an Advanced Standing student you will begin your studies with an intensive six-week program that begins in mid- July. During that session you will take:

  • T0006 Child Abuse Reporting Education
  • T6012 Advanced Standing Practicum Seminar
  • T6505 Intro to Statistics (can be waived through previous coursework or exam)
  • T7105 Advance Integrative Seminar

The purpose of these courses is to extend and deepen the direct practice knowledge and skills to which you were introduced to in your BSW Program.  In addition, students will begin to:

  • Apply reflective analysis from an anti-oppressive framework
  • Understand how to practice through the chosen lens of the Social Work Specialization
  • Apply Avanced Clinical Practice, Integrated Practice and Programming Leadership, Management, and Entrepreneurship, or Policy Practice.

In the Fall, students will move on to the second-year sequence of practice courses; completing their coursework and practicum learning requirements in just two semesters.  Typically taking three or four classes per term.

Students practicum placement will be for two terms (Fall and Spring) and students will spend three days a week at the agency.

Before placement is made students will work with the Office of Practicum Learning to choose a a practicum site that supports your chosen area of specialization and field of practice.

NOTES:

  • When evaluating transfer credits, the School is looking for equivalent coursework to:
    • T660A-B Human Behavior and the Social Environment I & II
    • T6501 Social Work Research
    • T6801 Social Welfare Policy
    • T7100 Foundations of Social Work Practice
    • T7103 Advocacy in Social Work Practice
    • T6010 Field Education [two terms worth no more than 6 credits] and an elective.

Taking more courses may be required if a student does not receive 27 transfer credits from their undergraduate coursework or if the student decides to pursue certain minors.

  • BSW graduates from Canadian institutions will not receive credit for T6801 Social Welfare Policy. To be eligible for the program, Advanced Standing students must have earned a B or better in all of their undergraduate social work classes.
     
  • Advanced Standing students are not permitted to pursue dual degrees.
     
  • Advanced Standing students may pursue some minor programs (not the Law minor) if they are willing to register for additional credits beyond the required minimum of 33.
     
  • Students in the Advanced Standing Program may not be employed by their field education agency.