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

Platform, Program & Specialization

Candidates must choose a platform, program, and area of specialization when applying. Please review the range of choices on our Degree Options page.

Completed Online Application Form

The online application form can be accessed at apply.ssw.columbia.edu/apply. All students, regardless of platform, program or specialization, must submit their application through this portal. The portal opens in August of each year for admissions in January and September of the following year. Instructions in the portal guide your through the process.

Application Fee

The $75 application fee is required upon submission of your application. Application fee waivers are granted to Veterans of the U.S. armed forces, and alumni of AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, Teach for America, McNair Scholars, Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP) and Educational Opportunity Program (EOP). To request an application fee waiver, you may email proof of participation/service to the Office of Admissions at cssw-admit@columbia.edu. Please note that application fees that have already been paid will not be refunded.

Resume

Please submit a detailed current resume that lists paid work and volunteer experience separately, starting with the current or most recent position. Resumes should indicate whether each experience was full-time or part-time, paid or unpaid, and the nature of the client population served, if applicable. Part-time experience should also indicate the weekly hours worked. Be sure to use month/year to indicate the beginning and end dates for all activities included. The resume may be longer than one page but should not exceed three pages. The resume should include:

• complete professional, academic, and volunteer history
• details about direct research experience and/or published papers or articles, if applicable
• descriptions of community and leadership activities
• awards, distinctions, honors, or other recognition received
• other relevant life experiences
• all languages read/spoken in addition to English

Answers to Three Essay Questions

Applicants are asked to respond to three essay prompts. These prompts must be addressed in three separate essays, and each essay should not exceed more than 500 words. The essays are an opportunity for applicants to tell the admissions committee about their professional interest(s) and experiences that have influenced their decision to pursue the MSW degree at CSSW.

Three Letters of Reference

Students who have received a degree in the past five years are required to provide at least one academic reference from faculty at that institution, but are encouraged to provide at least two academic references. Students more than five years away from their most recent degree are encouraged to provide at least one academic reference. Appropriate references include professors, the applicant’s most recent employer or volunteer supervisor, or those who know the applicant in a professional context.

Letters of recommendation may be submitted digitally via the online application system. If a reference is unable to submit their letter of reference using the application system, they may contact the Office of Admissions directly at cssw-admit@columbia.edu. No personal references will be accepted, nor references from professionals with whom you have had a client or patient relationship. Please note that our online application system accommodates only three letters of reference.

CSSW adheres to the provisions of the Educational Privacy Act of 1974 in respect to references.

Relevant Transcript(s)

During the initial phase of the application process, applicants may upload unofficial transcripts for evaluation purposes. Uploaded transcripts should include the following information: Courses, Credits, and Grades – including transfer and study abroad coursework. Applicants must submit a transcript from each university attended for at least one term, regardless of the number of credits received. NOTE: Printouts of web-based course records will not be accepted for admission review.

Transcript Requirements For Admitted Students Once a student has accepted an offer of admission, they must submit an official electronic transcript from each university attended for at least one term, regardless of the number of credits received. Graduate students should provide an official transcript indicating bachelor’s degree conferral prior to entering graduate studies. If the student received a bachelor’s degree from a U.S. institution, that institution must be accredited by one of the regional accrediting agencies recognized by the U.S. government.

Domestic Institutions All admitted students who have attended a college or university in the United States must submit electronic transcripts directly from their school, delivered directly to the admissions office at Columbia School of Social Work. If an institution based in the U.S. does not offer electronic delivery, the admitted student must write to the Office of Admissions with the link to their prior institution’s web page concerning transcript orders to confirm that paper is the only option and obtain permission to submit a paper transcript. If a paper transcript is the only option, it must be sent directly from the other institution to Columbia School of Social Work. It may not be delivered or forwarded via the student.

International Institutions International institutions outside of the People’s Republic of China (PRC): Admitted students who attended international institutions must submit an electronic transcript if their school offers secure online delivery. If the school cannot send transcripts electronically through a secure online system, the student must contact World Education Services (WES) and order a course-by-course evaluation and International Credential Advantage Package to be sent directly to Columbia School of Social Work. Students for whom this imposes a financial burden may contact the Office of Admissions directly at.

International institutions in the PRC: Admitted students who attended institutions in the PRC can access a unique resource through CHESICC, the credentials verification service affiliated with the PRC’s Ministry of Education, to arrange for submission of a “Verification Report of 7 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.

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Applicants to the International, Advanced Standing, Reduced Residency, Professional Option, and Transfer programs must submit all the required materials mentioned above, and will have the following additional requirements.

International Applicants

English-Language Proficiency

Applicants who are not U.S. Citizens or Permanent Residents and who are citizens of non- English speaking countries must have a working knowledge of English. To meet this requirement, applicants must achieve the following minimum score on the IELTS, Duolingo or TOEFL Exams:

IELTS = 7.0 or higher

Duolingo English Test = 120 or higher

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)

• Internet-based Test (iBT): 100 or higher
• Computer-based Test (CBT): 233 or higher
• Paper-based Test (PBT): 600 or higher

Applicants submitting Paper-based Test scores only must also submit the following individual scores:

• TWE (Test of Written English): Minimum Score 4.0
• TSE (Test of Spoken English): Minimum Score 4.0

Applicants are not automatically exempt from taking the TOEFL if they have received a degree in the U.S. or from an institution whose official language is English. Please contact the Office of Admissions for more information.

International Transcripts

Applicants who attended institutions outside the U.S. must provide official records of study with your application. These should be issued from or certified by the institution and include all course titles, grades received, degree title and degree award date. Documents not in English must be accompanied by a certified translation.

To qualify for an admission review, applicants who have completed a degree from outside of the United States must demonstrate proof of academic equivalency to a standard U.S. bachelor’s degree.

Interview

International applicants, who are selected for an interview will be contacted by the Admissions Committee with an invitation to sign up for a slot. In the meantime, rest assure that your application is undergoing the review process. If you do not hear from our office regarding an interview, there is no further action required on your part.

Advanced Standing Applicants

1. Specific Admission Essays: Applicants should follow the Advanced Standing Program instructions in the Admission Essays section, answering essay questions 1, 2, and 3B.

2. Field Work Evaluation Form: Applicants must have an Undergraduate Field 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, fax, or as an email attachment to cssw-admit@columbia.edu

3. List of BSW Courses: A list of all of your BSW program courses with descriptions must be submitted for review. Please list by term taken and include course names and numbers. The course descriptions can be taken directly from your school’s course catalog or website. Applicants in the process of completing their BSW program should include a list of classes you will be taking in your final semester(s). Course descriptions should be uploaded in the Admissions Essays section of the application. The list may also be sent by email, fax, or regular mail to the Office of Admissions.

Reduced Residency Applicants

1. Specific Admission Essays: Applicants should follow the Reduced Residency Program instructions in the Admission Essays section, answering questions 1, 2, and 3C.

2. Supervisor Recommendation: One of the three reference letters must come from a current supervisor.

Transfer Applicants

1. Specific Admission Essays: Applicants should follow the Transfer Student instructions in the Admissions Essays section, answering questions 1, 2, and 3B.

2. Academic Reference: A minimum of one of the three required letters of recommendation must be an academic reference.

3. Field Work Evaluation Form: Transfer student applicants must have a Graduate Field Evaluation Form completed by a field instructor or appropriate person at your MSW program. The form is located in the Reference section of the application. The form may be submitted by mail, fax, or as an email attachment to cssw-admit@columbia.edu

4. List of MSW Courses: A list of all of your MSW program courses with descriptions must be submitted for review. Please list by term taken and include course names and numbers. The course descriptions can be taken directly from your school’s course catalog or website. Applicants in the process of completing their MSW courses should include a list of classes you will be taking in your final semester(s). Course descriptions should be uploaded in the Admissions Essay section of the application. The list can also be sent by email, fax, or regular mail to the Office of Admissions.

Note: Transfer students are admitted for a maximum of one year of study at CSSW.

Non-Degree Applicants

We are not accepting non-degree applications at this time. Check back closer to the fall term for the application process.

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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.

Acquisition of competence as a social worker is a lengthy and complex process that will be undermined by significant limitations of the student’s ability to participate in the full spectrum of the experiences and the requirements of the curriculum.

Students in the Columbia School of Social Work are expected to possess the following 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 accommodations. For more information, please visit health.columbia.edu/disability-services.

Sensory Abilities

Social work students must have the ability through their senses to participate in classes and practicum placement. Students must acquire and integrate data through the use of their 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 health.columbia.edu/disability-services.

Communication Skills

The social work student must communicate effectively and sensitively with other students, faculty, staff, clients and other professionals. Students must express their ideas and feelings clearly and demonstrate a willingness and ability to listen to others. They must have sufficient skills in spoken and written English to understand the content presented in the program.

Professional Commitment

The social work student must have a strong commitment to the goals of social work and to the ethical standards of the profession. The student must be committed to the essential values of social work, which are the dignity and worth of every individual and one’s right to a just share of society’s resources.

Self-Awareness

The social work student must know how one’s values, attitudes, beliefs, emotions and past experiences affect one’s thinking, behavior and relationships. The student must be willing to examine and change one’s behavior when it interferes with working with clients and other professionals and must be able to work effectively with others in subordinate positions as well as with those in authority.

Knowledge Base for Social Work Practice

The professional activities of social work students must be grounded in relevant social, behavioral and biological science knowledge and research. This includes knowledge and skills in relationship-building, data-gathering, assessment, interventions and evaluation of practice.

Objectivity

The social work student must be able to objectively and systematically evaluate clients and their situations in an unbiased, factual way.

Empathy

The social work student must endeavor to seek to comprehend another individual’s way of life and values. The social work student must be able to communicate this empathy and support to the client as a basis for a productive professional relationship.

Energy

The social work student must be resilient to the undesirable effects of stress, exercising appropriate self-care and developing cooperative and facilitative relationships with colleagues and peers.

Acceptance of Diversity

The social work student must appreciate the value of human diversity. The social work student must serve in an appropriate manner all persons in need of assistance, regardless of the person’s age, class, race, ethnicity, religious affiliation (or lack thereof), gender, ability, sexual orientation and value system.

Interpersonal Skills

The social work student must demonstrate the interpersonal skills needed to relate effectively to other students, faculty, staff, clients and other professionals. These include compassion, altruism, integrity, and the demonstration of respect for and consideration of others.

Professional Behavior

The social work student must behave professionally by knowing and practicing within the scope of social work, adhering to the profession’s code of ethics, respecting others, being punctual and dependable, prioritizing responsibilities, and completing assignments on time.

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Office of Admissions Contact Information

Columbia School of Social Work
Office of Admissions
1255 Amsterdam Avenue
New York, NY 10027

Email: cssw-admit@columbia.edu
Telephone: (212) 851-2400
Fax: (212) 851-2305