Application Information

Thank you for your interest in applying to the Columbia School of Social Work. The application for the spring and fall 2023 MSW program is now open.

Our application deadlines are below:

Master's Program:

Spring 2023 Final Deadline: October 15, 2022 11:59 PM EST
Fall 2023 Priority Deadline: December 1, 2022 11:59 PM EST
Fall 2023 Final Deadline: February 15, 2023 11:59 PM EST

Doctoral Program:

Fall 2023: December 15, 2022 11:59 PM EST

We invite you to learn more about the MSW program at the Columbia School of Social Work.

On-Campus and Virtual Information Sessions: Meet with our admissions staff and current students at an information session that covers all the details of our MSW program options and provides information regarding our curriculum, faculty, application process, student life, and more. To register for an info session or virtual event, sign up here.
Schedule a One-on-One Chat: Schedule an appointment with an admissions representative. To register for an appointment, click here.
CSSW Virtual Events: Visit our Off-Campus Events page, as we may be attending a virtual fair targeted to your area.

Application review, evaluation, and decision

All required application materials must be submitted by the posted deadlines in order to facilitate application review and decision. Each application is screened by admissions staff first, then reviewed by a minimum of two trained readers who review all components of the application using a robust rubric that has been reviewed and approved by the Admissions Committee. International applicants may be contacted for an interview.

All applications are reviewed within a week of submission for completeness; applicants are notified if there are any missing or additionally required materials. All completed applications will be reviewed within eight weeks of a confirmed completed application. If a reviewer has any relationship to a particular applicant, that reviewer must make this known and recuse themselves from evaluating that application.

All applicants with fully complete and reviewed applications will be notified of a decision (i.e., admit, waitlist, or reject). Notifications concerning admission application processing and final decisions are provided electronically to all applicants submitting completed applications.

Applicants who are pursuing an undergraduate degree at the time that admissions acceptance is granted are informed that they are admitted pending the receipt of their final transcript indicating receipt of the bachelor’s degree.

Returning users:

Log in to continue an application.

First-time users:

Create an account to start a new application.