Why Columbia?

You want to make waves.

You care about helping others and want to advocate on behalf of marginalized and oppressed populations.

You want to move mountains.

These mountains were created by political and social systems and have led to inequity, poverty, and the denial of basic human rights.

You want to change lives.

You are eager to learn which evidence-based tools can help to promote social change.

You have arrived.

Welcome to the Columbia School of Social Work.

A Social Work Education for the 21st Century

 
Columbia University’s School of Social Work was founded in 1898. We were the first school of social work in the United States and we continue to lead the field of social work education today. Whether you join us in New York City or become an MSW student in our online campus, you will be mentored by some of the nation’s foremost researchers and social service practitioners in child and family support policies, racial inequity, criminal justice, school social work, advanced clinical practice, and related areas. By the time you earn your MSW from Columbia, you will have both the academic foundation and the hands-on experience to make a meaningful impact in the lives of society’s most vulnerable members.
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An MSW with a Difference

Look at the Numbers

Columbia School of Social Work offers a wider array of program options, more support, more field placement opportunities, and a more extensive alumni network than any other school of social work in the country.
Frequently Asked Questions

Study with Top Researchers

At CSSW you will have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to study with professors whose scientific research is setting the pace for generating new knowledge about social work issues and problems.
Faculty & Research

Join a World-Class University

As a student at Columbia University, you will have access to one of the world’s premier universities, to its faculty and resources, and to its power to convene the world’s top minds.
Columbia University Home Page
“Columbia helped me think systemically—not just in terms of the clinical world but also in terms of policy, programming, and the organization. You can’t do clinical work without understanding the communities you work with.”
—Walter Vega, MSW’04 Dean of Admissions, Ackerman Institute for the Family; Adjunct Professor, CSSW

The Columbia Community

Engage with Fellow Students

At the Columbia School of Social Work, you will find a ready-made community of people of diverse backgrounds who share your passion for social service—along with a commitment to groups and activities centered on social causes.
Student Life

Engage with Alumni

Opportunities abound to connect with our School’s 18,000+ alumni all over the globe, many of whom serve as advisors and field supervisors—and are also a source of career guidance counseling, sharing their experiences along with job contacts and leads.
Career Services

Engage with Leading Thinkers

From the moment you request information from our School, you will be invited to interface with some of the world’s most innovative thinkers and practitioners, policy makers and thought influencers in the field of social work, via the School’s livestreamed events—an experience that will become your norm once you enroll.
CSSW Livestream

Ready to start making waves, moving mountains, and changing lives?

Apply Now