Enrollment

The Columbia School of Social Work prepares students for entry into advanced social work practice. The curriculum emphasizes promoting social and economic justice, particularly for populations-at risk; practicing with diverse populations; and evaluating practice outcomes.

The completion of this degree is earnedby completing a progressive sequence of courses designed in accordance with the standards of the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), the School’s accrediting body. All students are required by the CSWE to take courses in human behavior and the social environment, social welfare policy and services, research, social work practice, and field education. For a morecomplete description of courses, see the Course Offerings section in this Handbook.

The office of Enrollment is here to guide you in all matter related to you academic endeavors.

Foundation Courses

For the first term, all Two-Year Program students are registered for: Human Behavior and the Social Environment-A, Social Work Research, Social Welfare Policy, Foundations of...

I’ve already taken some social work courses. How do I receive transfer credit?

The School will allow you to transfer a maximum of nine credits, of which no more than six can be for elective courses. You can receive credits for prior courses if they were taken at another accredited school of social work within the past five years and you earned at least a B. You are required to submit a form listing those courses for review. For more details, go to our Transfer Credit Policy Statement.

Where can I find detailed course descriptions and course requirements for my classes?

By the time orientation week begins, all of your courses—including their requirements, syllabi, grading policies, and online readings—should be posted on New CourseWorks.

How do I change my classes?

During the first two weeks of classes each term, space permitting, there is an add/drop period when you can switch certain courses via the online registration system in Student Services Online. NOTE: Since your T7100 Foundations of SW Practice course is linked to your field placement and advisor assignment, this course can only be changed via a request to the Office of Advising (send an e-mail to swadvising@columbia.edu).

I would like to take classes at another Columbia graduate school. How do I do that?

You are able to enroll in classes at other Columbia University schools to count either as elective credits (related and pre-approved graduate-level courses only) or as “extra” courses that are covered under the School’s flat-rate billing program, which allows you to register for a maximum of 19.5 credits per term in the Fall and Spring. NOTE: Our flat-rate tuition plan does not cover classes taken at Teacher’s College, Jewish Theological Seminary, or Union Theological Seminary. If you choose to register for a course at one of those schools, you will be charged tuition in addition to your flat-rate cost.

As each Columbia graduate school has its own cross-registration policies and procedures, our Office of Student Services compiles a document every term with links to classes at other schools that are open to CUSSW students along with detailed instructions for registration, with links to necessary forms. This information is e-mailed to all students during the registration period and can also be found online.

Are my instructors evaluated? If so, where can I find copies of their evaluations?

Instructor evaluations are available in a binder in the Social Work Library (2^nd floor) and the Student Union Office (4^th floor). We would also encourage you to reach out to your second-year colleagues for feedback about instructors’ teaching styles, classroom expectations, and areas of specialization.

What if I have additional questions about class listings, course registration, or related matters?

For help with additional questions on registration-related matters, please contact the Office of Student Affairs and Enrollment at:

E-mail: swstudentaffairs@columbia.edu

Telephone: 212-851-2436; 212-851-2367

Counseling:

By appointment: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday. (After 5:00 p.m., appointments available by request.) Go to online appointment system.
Walk-in: Wednesdays, 10 a.m – 6 p.m.