| Completion time | Three to four years |
| Total credits | 60 |
| Total practicum education hours | 1,200 hours |
| Prerequisites | Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution |
| Starts per year | One, fall term (Sept. 8, 2026) |
| Application deadline | April 1, 2026 |
Part-Time Pathway Overview
The Part-Time Online MS in Social Work pathway extends access to those who are dedicated to social work and need more flexibility to balance other responsibilities. Part-Time students take fewer credits per term; accordingly, they will take more time to complete the degree requirements. This pathway ends with the same total credits and total practicum education hours as the full-time Two-Year pathway.
Students in the Part-Time pathway also complete two different practicum placements. These are supported by concurrent courses in foundations of social work practice, advocacy in social work practice, and motivational interviewing.
Coursework Estimates
As a Part-Time student, you are held to the same high academic standards as all other pathways. You will take one or two courses per term and should expect to spend four to six hours per week in synchronous classes. This is in addition to time spent on homework and other assignments.
For the first year of your degree, you will not complete any practicum work. After that, you will be required to spend two days, for a total of 14 hours per week, at your practicum placement site. Most placements require work during daytime hours, generally 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. or 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Visit our Practicum Placements page for more information.
Degree Outcomes
Professional Practice
- Apply ethical decision-making and professional conduct across all settings
- Work effectively with diverse clients using cultural humility and competence
Evidence-Based Practice
- Use evidence-based approaches and contribute to social work research
- Measure outcomes and continuously improve practice effectiveness
Social Justice and Policy
- Promote equity and justice through critical analysis of power structures
- Analyze, advocate for, and influence policies at local, state, and federal levels
Clinical and Community Practice
- Build collaborative relationships with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities
- Conduct thorough assessments informed by theory, research, and cultural considerations
- Implement effective interventions appropriate to the context and goals
These competencies prepare you for licensure and professional practice in clinical, policy, community, and organizational settings. In addition, at the end of the program, you will have completed 1,200 practicum hours.
Career Outcomes
Choosing the Part-Time pathway means committing to a longer timeline for your degree, but it doesn’t mean waiting three to four years to see a difference in your career.
As you move through the MSSW program, you can apply course content and practicum learning directly to your current role, which can change how you approach clients and collaborate with colleagues.
Once you complete the degree, you have both the MSSW credential and several years of experience alongside it, which many employers look for in clinical, leadership, and policy or systems-focused positions. You’ll find MSSW graduates working in areas such as:
- Clinical and direct practice
Sample roles: Mental health therapist, medical social worker, school social worker, substance use counselor, trauma therapist, private practitioner - Leadership and program management
Sample roles: Program director, clinical supervisor, executive director, community program coordinator, nonprofit administrator - Policy and systems work
Samples roles: Policy analyst, government relations specialist, community organizer, legislative fellow, program evaluator
They serve in employment settings that include:
- Healthcare systems and hospitals
- Community mental health centers
- Schools and child welfare agencies
- Nonprofit and community-based organizations
- Government agencies
- Private practice
- Policy and advocacy organizations
Salary Outcomes
According to the labor database Lightcast, social worker roles that require a master’s degree have a median annual salary of $72,100, while roles requiring only a bachelor’s degree have a median of $51,000 — a 41% difference.
Columbia MSSW graduates report similar trends. In a spring 2025 career survey, the annual median salary for Columbia graduates employed full-time in the U.S. was $70,000.
Find out more: View our full MSSW career outcomes report (2024) or explore our article, “Careers as Change Agent.”
MSSW Part-Time Admission Summary
It only takes 10 minutes to start your application. The process consists of these steps:
Step 1: Complete the online application
It is quick to get started. Begin your application now and pick up right where you left off at any time.
Step 2: Submit your documents
- Unofficial transcripts from every institution attended (official transcripts required upon admission)
- Two letters of reference (at least one academic if you earned your degree within the past five years)
- Resume
- Admissions essays
Step 3: Pay the application fee
The fee is 75 dollars. Waivers are available for eligible applicants. See the admissions page for details.
Frequently Asked Questions
Part-time students take, on average, three to four years to complete their degree. Some students may take up to the limit (five years) to complete.
A few factors that affect your total time to completion are:
- How many credits you take each term and whether you enroll in summer terms. Students who add summer coursework or take more courses earlier may be able to complete the program in about three years.
- Your method area and course sequencing. Some students can complete all specialized-year requirements (including field and electives) within three years, while others use a fourth year to finish remaining electives or uncoupled requirements.
- Whether you transfer in eligible graduate credits. Up to 9 credits (with no more than 6 as electives) may be transferred from another accredited school of social work if they meet Columbia’s criteria. This can shorten your overall timeline.
- Leaves of absence or other breaks in enrollment. Taking time away from the program can extend your timeline. Part-time students share the same leave-of-absence policy as other pathways.
Yes. The Part-Time pathway follows the same curriculum and has the same overall program requirements as the full-time Two-Year pathway.
The main differences are the pacing and practicum schedule.
- Part-Time students take a reduced course load, which is why they complete the degree in three to four years instead of two years. Your first year is coursework only and the practicum begins later.
- In the Part-Time program, practicum hours are spread over three terms (fall, spring, summer) each year.
Yes, all courses are the same in terms of content and quality. The only major difference is that you are connecting virtually. The Online Option and Residential Option follow the same curriculums and all students have frequent opportunities to build relationships with their cohort.
Online option Part-Time students can usually take all pre-practicum year courses in the evening. However, many generalist and specialized courses are only offered during the day or early afternoon.
Weekend or evening-only placements are not available for practicums. Once you begin your practicum, you must plan to be at your placement site two days per week (14 hours) for fall, spring, and summer terms. You can find out more about practicums on ourpracticum education page.
Have Additional Questions? Let’s Talk.
FAQs are helpful, but a real conversation can make all the difference. An enrollment specialist is available to answer questions such as how this program fits your schedule, which pathway makes sense for your background, what the application process looks like, and anything else you’re wondering about.
Call (332) 232-8434 or email onlinemsw@columbia.edu to set up a time to talk.
Request information
Please fill out the fields below to download a brochure. If you have any questions about our program pathways or application process, you can contact an enrollment specialist by emailing onlinemsw@columbia.edu or calling (332) 232-8434.
