Advising

When will I find out who my advisor is?

Your advisor’s name and contact information will be viewable on Student Services Online by the end of orientation week. NOTE: If you have questions about your academic program, class scheduling or registration prior to orientation, please contact the Office of Student Affairs by sending an e-mail to swstudentaffairs@columbia.edu.

What is my advisor’s role?

The Office of Advising assigns each Advisor to a cohort of approximately 20 students. The advisor is your primary resource of advising, both academic and field, and any life issues that may impact graduate school performance. You can expect mentorship from a seasoned practitioner, a visit to your field site, one-one-one meetings to discuss field and academic challenges and successes and email/phone contacted as needed. Over the academic year, you will attend monthly advising seminars with your cohort for professional social work practice development and to create a bonded supportive group of fellow students.

When will I have Advising Seminars? Are they mandatory?

You will attend Advising Seminars once a month. The sessions are mandatory. Meeting dates will be emailed to all students, and also will be listed in Courseworks/Canvas for your field course.

What if my advisor is not available: is there someone else at the School I can speak to?

If you’re not able to reach your advisor, you should contact the Office of Advising at swadvising@columbia.edu.

What if I have additional questions about academic planning, field-related concerns, or personal issues that could affect my performance in field and class?

For help with additional questions on advising-related matters, please contact the Office of Advising at: