MSSW Application Requirements and Instructions

All pathways lead to the same Master of Science in Social Work degree. Pathways differ by format, pacing, eligibility, and practicum structure. Graduates planning to pursue LMSW, LCSW, or other social work licensure should review the licensing requirements for the jurisdiction where they intend to practice. Additional guidance is available through ASWB: How to Get a License .

Compare MSSW Pathways

Full-Time Pathways

Pathway	Format	Description	Best For	Application Semester	Practicum
Two-Year	In-Person and Online	60 credits and 1,200 hours of practicum learning, with two days per week in the classroom and three days per week in practicum.	Students completing the full MSSW curriculum over two academic years.	Fall	3 days per week 21 hours per week
16-Month	In-Person Only	A fast-paced, full-time pathway completed over 16 months, requiring 60 credits and 1,200 hours of practicum.	Students beginning in January and continuing full-time through summer.	Spring	3 days per week 21 hours per week Required summer
Advanced Standing*	In-Person and Online	A pathway for eligible BSW graduates completing 33 CSSW credits and 600 hours of practicum after an intensive summer preparation.	Recent graduates of CSWE-accredited BSW programs.	Fall Classes begin in summer	3 days per week 21 hours per week
Transfer*	In-Person and Online	For students who completed a full year of social work coursework and practicum at another accredited school. Students complete at least 30 CSSW credits and 600 hours of practicum.	Students who completed one full year at another CSWE-accredited graduate social work program.	Fall	3 days per week 21 hours per week
Five-Term International	In-Person Only	A five-term pathway for international students who are unfamiliar with the U.S. social welfare system, including a summer immersion.	International students new to the U.S. social welfare system who speak English as an additional language.	Fall	3 days per week 21 hours per week Required summer

Part-Time Pathways

Pathway	Format	Description	Best For	Application Semester	Practicum
Part-Time to Full-Time	In-Person and Online	Combines part-time and full-time study over three to four years, with practicum beginning in the second year.	Students who want to begin part-time before entering full-time practicum.	Fall or Spring	Beginning year two: 3 days per week 21 hours per week
Part-Time	Online Only	Students complete the same curriculum and practicum requirements as the Two-Year pathway with fewer credits and practicum hours per term.	Students seeking fewer credits per term and fewer weekly practicum hours.	Fall or Spring	Beginning year two: 2 days per week 14 hours per week Required summer
One-Year Residency for Working Professionals*	In-Person and Online	A pathway for current social service professionals who may count approved employment activities toward practicum requirements.	Experienced social service or nonprofit professionals who may use an approved work site for practicum.	Fall or Spring	Approved work site used as practicum during the residency year

To discuss which pathway may best align with your goals, connect with an Admissions representative .

*Advanced Standing, Transfer, and One-Year Residency

Advanced Standing

Advanced Standing students may receive up to 27 transfer credits and enter CSSW in their specialized year. Students complete the MSSW in three academic terms and complete at least 33 credits at CSSW.

Applicants must have earned a grade of B or higher in at least 21 credits from the course areas below. Courses shown in bold must be completed before summer enrollment.

Human Behavior and the Social Environment I and II — 6 credits
Social Work Research
Social Welfare Policy
Foundations of Social Work Practice
Advocacy in Social Work Practice
Field Education — two terms worth no more than 6 credits
Elective

Transfer

Transfer students may receive up to 30 transfer credits and enter CSSW in their specialized year. Students may complete the MSSW in two academic terms and complete at least 30 credits at CSSW.

Applicants must have earned a grade of B or higher in at least 24 credits from the course areas below. Courses shown in bold must be completed before fall enrollment.

Human Behavior and the Social Environment I and II — 6 credits
Social Work Research
Social Welfare Policy
Foundations of Social Work Practice
Direct Practice with Individuals, Families, and Groups
Advocacy in Social Work Practice
Practicum or Field Education — two terms worth no more than 6 credits
Elective

One-Year Residency for Working Professionals

This pathway is designed for students currently employed in social services or nonprofit agencies. Students complete the 60-credit degree through part-time and full-time study over no fewer than four terms and no longer than four years.

Applicants must have completed two years of full-time, or four years of part-time, direct-practice professional experience at the time of application.
The pathway normally includes two years of part-time enrollment while working full-time, followed by a full-time residency year.
During residency, students complete 28 practicum hours per week at their place of employment.
Up to 14 hours of usual employment activities may be counted.
Students complete 14 additional hours outside their current job responsibilities with a different supervisor who meets CSSW practicum-instructor requirements.

Students employed by an agency that has hosted a Columbia student for practicum learning within the past three years may be eligible for a tuition discount.

General Application Requirements

Applicants must submit all materials directly to the Office of Admissions. Materials submitted through an agent or third-party vendor are not accepted, except for approved government and partner programs identified by CSSW.

Required Materials

Requirement	What to Submit
Application Fee	A $75 application fee, unless a fee waiver is approved before submission.
Resume	A detailed current resume including professional, academic, volunteer, leadership, research, awards, relevant life experiences, and languages other than English.
Professional Experience	The number of months of professional and volunteer experience, consistent with the information provided in the resume.
Essays	Responses to two or three essay prompts, submitted as separate essays.
Letters of Reference	Two letters submitted directly by recommenders through the online application system.
Transcripts	Official transcripts from every college or university attended for at least one term, including transfer and study-abroad coursework.

Application Fee

The $75 application fee is required when the application is submitted. Fee waivers may be available for AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, Teach for America, McNair Scholars, HEOP, EOP, U.S. military veterans, and applicants experiencing financial hardship.

Applicants should submit the Application Fee Waiver Request Form after creating an application and before paying the fee. Requests should be submitted at least one to two weeks before the application deadline.

Resume and Professional Experience

Submit a detailed, current resume. Paid and volunteer experience should be listed separately, beginning with the most recent position. Include the month and year for all start and end dates.

Identify whether each experience was full-time or part-time.
Identify whether each experience was paid or unpaid.
For part-time roles, include the number of hours worked each week.
Include client populations served, when applicable.
Identify the larger agency and the specific department or program.
Include research, publications, leadership, honors, relevant life experiences, and additional languages.

Essays

Applicants respond to two or three prompts in separate essays. Prompts may change each year. Applicants should use the essays to discuss their motivation for social work, professional goals, commitment to social justice, and the communities or populations they hope to serve.

Letters of Reference

All applicants must submit two letters. Applicants who received a degree within the past five years must submit at least one academic reference from a faculty member at that institution.

Appropriate recommenders include professors, employers, volunteer supervisors, and professionals familiar with the applicant’s work.
Personal references are not accepted.
References from professionals with whom the applicant had a client or patient relationship are not accepted.
Applicants must not upload recommendation letters on behalf of recommenders.
Applicants should not participate in drafting their recommendation letters.
The application system accepts only two letters.

Transcript and Degree-Evaluation Requirements

Applications will not be reviewed until all required transcripts have been received.

Initial Application Requirements

Applicants must submit official transcripts for evaluation during the initial application process. Transcripts must include courses, credits, and grades, including transfer and study-abroad coursework.

A transcript is required from every college or university attended for at least one term, regardless of the number of credits earned. Applicants must provide all grades earned at the time of submission and in-progress coursework when available.

International Coursework and Degree Evaluation

Applicants who completed a degree outside the United States must demonstrate academic equivalency to a standard U.S. bachelor’s degree. An official course-by-course evaluation must be submitted through one of the approved agencies below:

Requirements After Admission

After accepting admission, students must submit any outstanding official electronic transcript showing courses, credits, grades, and degree conferral.

Students completing a degree at the time of application must submit a final official transcript or international evaluation showing degree conferral.

Failure to submit the required official transcript or evaluation within 30 days after the start of the first semester will result in an account hold and may result in dismissal from the program.

Official Domestic Transcripts

U.S. transcripts must be sent electronically and directly from the institution to the CSSW Office of Admissions. Documents sent or forwarded by the student cannot be considered official.

If an institution does not offer electronic delivery, contact cssw-admit@columbia.edu before arranging a paper transcript.

Official International Transcripts

Records must include course titles, grades, degree title, and degree award date. Documents not issued in English must include a certified translation.

Applicants who completed 18 credits or fewer outside the United States may submit an unofficial transcript for admission review. If admitted, an official transcript must be sent directly from the institution.

Additional Requirements by Program

Program	Additional Requirements
Advanced Standing	Program-specific essays, an Undergraduate Internship Evaluation Form submitted by the internship supervisor, and a list of all BSW courses with descriptions.
Transfer	Program-specific essays, a Graduate Internship Evaluation Form submitted by the internship supervisor, and a list of all graduate social work courses with descriptions.
One-Year Residency	Program-specific essays. One recommendation must come from the applicant’s current supervisor and confirm that program requirements have been discussed and that the site can support them.

Transfer and Advanced Standing students are admitted for a maximum of one year of full-time study at CSSW.

International Applicant Requirements

English-Language Proficiency

Graduate students must be comfortable with rapid and idiomatic spoken English. Test scores are valid for two years.

Applicants are not required to submit English-language scores if their undergraduate degree was taught in English and they are a citizen or permanent resident of a country whose official national language is English.

Test	Minimum Score	Notes
TOEFL iBT	5 under the current scoring system, or 100 under the previous system	CSSW does not accept MyBest Scores.
IELTS	7.0	Visit the IELTS website for test information.
Duolingo English Test	130	Visit the Duolingo website for test information.

English-language proficiency scores are valid for two years.

Statistics Requirement

Statistics proficiency is not required for admission. However, all MSSW students must demonstrate proficiency in statistics and quantitative methods before graduation.

Students satisfy this requirement by either:

Completing the required introductory statistics course at CSSW during their first semester, or
Receiving an approved waiver based on previous coursework or the statistics proficiency examination.

Learn more about the requirement on the Statistics Requirement page .

Application Integrity

Applicants must attest that all information and documents submitted to Columbia are complete, accurate, and authentic.

All application materials, including essays, must represent your own work. Generative AI tools may be used for brainstorming or editing your own writing; however, using AI to generate complete application responses violates the Columbia School of Social Work Student Code of Conduct .

Submission of inaccurate, incomplete, or inauthentic materials may result in denial or revocation of admission, cancellation of academic credit, suspension, expulsion, or revocation of a degree.

Questions may be directed to cssw-admit@columbia.edu .