The admission process for the Columbia School of Social Work MSSW Online Option is designed to be as straightforward as possible. Each pathway has its own requirements, and we have organized them below so you can see exactly what you need.
Not sure what pathway is right for you? View a description of each — as well as their prerequisites, completion time, and start date options — on our pathways page.
Applications can be started online in just a few minutes. You can also connect with an enrollment specialist to talk through your next steps.
Upcoming Start Dates by Pathway
| Program Pathway | App Deadline | Next Start Date |
|---|---|---|
| Two-Year | April 1, 2026 | September 8, 2026 |
| Advanced Standing | April 1, 2026 | July 21, 2026 |
| Part-Time to Full-Time (Extended) | April 1, 2026 | September 8, 2026 |
| One-Year Residency for Working Professionals | April 1, 2026 | September 8, 2026 |
| Transfer | April 1, 2026 | September 8, 2026 |
| Part-Time | April 1, 2026 | September 8, 2026 |
General Admission Requirements and Materials (All Applicants, All Pathways)
All applicants to the MSSW Online Option must meet these basic admission requirements:
| Requirement | Description |
|---|---|
| Educational Background | Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution |
| Commitment to Social Work | Demonstrated through work, internships, or life experiences (specific work requirements vary by pathway) |
All applicants to the MSSW Online Option must also submit the following:
| Requirement | What to Submit |
|---|---|
| Online Application | Complete your application through the official portal. |
| Transcripts |
For your initial application review, upload unofficial transcripts from every college or university you have attended for at least one term. If admitted, you will need to submit official transcripts. Each transcript must show courses, credits, and grades, and should also include any transfer or study abroad coursework. Please review our transcripts section below for full details. |
| Resume | Provide a detailed resume that lists employment history, volunteer service, academic history, languages spoken, honors, and relevant life experience. |
| Professional Experience Summary | Indicate the total number of months of relevant paid or volunteer experience. This should be consistent with your resume. |
| Two Letters of Reference | References must be academic or professional (no personal references). If you earned your degree within the last five years, one academic letter is required. |
| Admission Essays | Respond to our essay prompts highlighting your career goals, commitment to social justice, and the populations you seek to serve. |
| Application Fee | $75 (waivers available for eligible applicants — see details below) |
For information about admission requirements for the Residential Option, please visit the MSSW residential admission page.
Additional Requirements and Materials by Pathway
In addition to the general admission requirements listed above, some pathways ask for specific materials or qualifications.
| Pathway | Additional Requirements |
|---|---|
| Traditional MSSW, Part-Time to Full-Time (Extended), and Part-Time Pathways | No additional materials required beyond the general application. |
| Advanced Standing |
|
| One-Year Residency for Working Professionals |
|
| Transfer |
|
Application fee waivers are granted to veterans of the U.S. armed forces, applicants experiencing financial hardship, and alumni of:
- AmeriCorps
- Peace Corps
- Teach for America
- McNair Scholars
- Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP)
- Educational Opportunity Program (EOP)
To request an application fee waiver, applicants should submit their request via the Application Fee Waiver Request Form after creating an online application, but prior to submission.
Please submit the application fee waiver request at least one week prior to the application deadline to allow for sufficient processing time.
You may be able to transfer up to 9 credit hours of prior graduate-level coursework from another CSWE-accredited school of social work toward the MSSW, only six credits of these may be for social work electives. The courses must be completed within the last five years with a grade of B or higher.
Note that credits are reviewed and approved only after admission. Life or work experience, while valuable, cannot be counted as transfer credits.
To apply — and to matriculate — students must submit all relevant transcripts by the deadline.
For Application Review
You may upload unofficial transcripts for your initial application review.
- Each transcript must show courses, credits, and grades, including transfer and study abroad coursework.
- You must submit a transcript from every institution you attended for at least one term, no matter how many credits you earned.
- Applications cannot be reviewed until all transcripts are received.
- Printouts of web-based course records are not accepted.
- International students must provide a WES ICAP course-by-course evaluation.
- You must include all grades earned at the time of application and note any in-progress coursework.
For Admitted Students
Once admitted, you must submit official electronic transcripts from every institution you attended for at least one term.
- Transcripts must show courses, credits, grades, and degree conferral.
- If you are completing a degree while applying, you must provide a final transcript (domestic) or a final WES evaluation with degree certificate (international) once the degree is awarded.
- These documents must be submitted within 30 days of the start of your first semester or your account will be placed on hold, which can result in dismissal.
Transcripts must be sent electronically and directly from your school to Columbia School of Social Work. If your school cannot provide electronic delivery, email cssw-admit@columbia.edu for approval to submit a paper copy.
Paper transcripts must be sent directly from the issuing school to Columbia; students cannot deliver or forward them.
Official records must include all course titles, grades, degree title, and award date. Documents not in English must be accompanied by a certified translation.
Students with international degrees must demonstrate equivalency to a U.S. bachelor’s degree. A WES ICAP course-by-course evaluation must be sent directly to Columbia. If cost is a financial hardship, contact cssw-admit@columbia.edu.
Get Support With the Admission Process
We aspire to offer a clear and manageable application process. You can begin the process online at any time and connect with an enrollment specialist for guidance. Even a short call of about 10 minutes can answer questions and help you feel confident about your application, so please use us as a resource. We’re here to support you.
If you have any questions about these requirements or need help navigating the admissions process, please contact an enrollment specialist at onlinemsw@columbia.edu or call (332) 232-8434.
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.
