What is the application deadline?
Please review the application portal for current deadlines.
All required materials, including recommendation letters, field evaluations, international coursework evaluations, and English language proficiency scores, must be received by the final deadline.
We recommend starting your application early to allow enough time to gather all required documents. This is especially important for applicants with non-U.S. coursework, excluding study abroad, because evaluation processing can take several weeks. Applications cannot be reviewed until they are complete.
Am I eligible to apply for an MSSW?
At a minimum, applicants must meet the following criteria:
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A regionally accredited bachelor’s degree or its evaluated international equivalent
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An academic record that suggests the ability to excel in graduate-level study
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A serious commitment to the profession of social work and the capacity to meet the demands of professional training, often demonstrated through internships and life experiences
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For non-native English-speaking applicants: TOEFL score of 100 or higher, IELTS Band score of 7.0 or higher, or Duolingo English Test score of 130 or higher. MyBest Scores are not accepted.
Additional pathway-specific eligibility requirements may apply.
Advanced Standing
Applicants must have completed, or be in the process of completing, a Bachelor of Social Work degree that is CSWE-accredited, CASWE-accredited, or ISWDRES-evaluated within the past five years.
Transfer
Applicants must have completed, or be in the process of completing, one full year, approximately 30 credits, of practicum learning and coursework at another Master of Social Work program that is CSWE-accredited, CASWE-accredited, or ISWDRES-evaluated within the past five years.
One-Year Residency for Working Professionals
Applicants must have completed at least two years of full-time, or four years of part-time, direct practice professional experience at the time of application. Applicants must also be able to complete the residency requirement within their agency.
The OYR program includes a pre-residency period, usually two years of part-time enrollment while continuing to work full-time at a social services organization, followed by a residency period, which is a year of full-time enrollment.
During the residency year, students complete a 28-hour-per-week practicum placement at their place of employment. Of those hours, 14 hours of usual employment activities may be counted. Students must also complete 14 separate hours on assignments outside of current work responsibilities with a different supervisor, called a Practicum Instructor, who has an MSW or MSSW and is, or will be, SIFI certified or its equivalent.
What is required to submit an application?
Applicants must submit an online application. Please review the full application requirements before submitting.
| Application Materials |
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| Resume |
| 2–3 essay responses |
| Two letters of recommendation |
| Transcripts and/or international coursework evaluation |
| English language proficiency scores, if applicable |
| $75 application fee |
Do you provide application fee waivers?
Application fee waivers are granted to alumni of AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, Teach for America, McNair Scholars, HEOP, and EOP, and to veterans of the U.S. armed forces. Fee waivers are also granted to applicants experiencing financial hardship.
To request a fee waiver, submit the Application Fee Waiver Request Form after creating an online application and before submitting the application fee. Applicants should be prepared to submit official documentation. Submitted fees are non-refundable. Please submit fee waiver requests at least one to two weeks before the application deadline.
Why am I receiving an error message when I try to submit the application fee payment?
Common payment errors are often related to the billing address. Please make sure the billing address is complete, including selecting a state from the dropdown list, and that it matches the credit card billing address on file with your bank.
Where can I learn more about the social work profession?
If you are exploring a career in social work, the following resources provide helpful information about the profession, social work education, ethics, licensure, and career opportunities.
What essay prompts do I need to respond to?
Please start your application to view the application essay prompts. Prompts vary by program pathway.
Can I submit three recommendation letters instead of two?
No. The application accommodates only two letters of recommendation per applicant.
Can I submit GRE or GMAT scores?
No. GRE and GMAT scores are not required or optional components of the master’s program application, and they are not considered in the application review process.
Where should I submit my English language proficiency scores?
- TOEFL: Use ETS code 2158.
- Duolingo: Select Columbia University - School of Social Work - Graduate.
- IELTS: Email your Test Report Form, TRF, number to cssw-admit@columbia.edu. Please include your 9-digit Application Reference Number from the application portal.
What is the application review, evaluation, and decision process?
All required materials must be submitted by the posted deadline for the application to be reviewed. Each application is first screened by admissions staff and then reviewed by at least two trained readers using a rubric approved by the Admissions Committee. International applicants may be contacted for an interview.
Applications are first reviewed for completeness, and applicants are notified if any materials are missing or additionally required. Completed applications are reviewed in order of completion. If a reviewer has any relationship to an applicant, the reviewer must disclose the relationship and recuse themselves from evaluating that application.
Applicants with complete and reviewed applications will be notified of a decision electronically.
Applicants who are completing an undergraduate degree at the time of admission are admitted pending receipt of a final transcript confirming completion of the bachelor’s degree.
How can I check the status of my submitted application?
You may log in to your application portal to monitor the status of your application materials. Please also check your email regularly so you can receive and respond to any missing-material communications from our office. You will receive an email notification once a decision has been made.
