| Completion time | Three to four years |
| Total credits | 60 |
| Total practicum education hours | 1,200 |
| Prerequisites | Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution |
| Starts per year | One, fall term (Sept. 8, 2026) |
| Application deadline | April 1, 2026 |
Part-Time to Full-Time (Extended) Pathway Overview
Students in the Part-Time to Full-Time (Extended) Online MS in Social Work pathway complete their degree in three to four years. During their first year, these students are considered part-time, as they take one or two courses a term and do not have practicum work.
After their first year, students ramp up to full-time status, adding more courses per term and starting their practicum placement. The following year, they choose a method specialization and field of practice and also select a related practicum placement.
This option may be appealing to those who would like to use the first year to prepare their schedule and make arrangements for the time commitment of the Columbia MSSW program.
Coursework Estimates
As a Part-Time to Full-Time (Extended) student, you will take one or two courses per term in your first year. You 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.
Once you move to full time, you will take three to four courses per term and will add your practicum work. You must spend three days (21 hours total) at your practicum work site each week. 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
The Part-Time to Full-Time pathway gives you a full year to prepare for what comes next in your social work career. After your first year, you’ll transition away from full-time employment so you can focus more fully on your coursework and practicum. It’s a commitment that can expand the roles you’re able to pursue over the lifetime of your career.
MSSW graduates can pursue positions that require a graduate degree. These roles often involve greater responsibility and, in many cases, offer higher compensation than many bachelor’s-level roles.
Our graduates work in a wide variety of settings, including:
- Outpatient health and mental health centers
- Hospitals and medical centers
- Community-based organizations and social/human service agencies
- Private practice settings
- Schools, colleges, and universities
- Social advocacy and community organizing organizations
- Policy, government relations, and public agencies
Some of the many job functions that our graduates perform include
- Therapy and counseling
- Case management and care coordination
- Crisis intervention
- Psychoeducation
- Skills coaching
- Administration and operations
- Leadership and management
Salary Outlook
In a spring 2025 career survey of MSSW graduates, the annual median salary for Columbia graduates employed full-time in the U.S. was $70,000. Salaries ranged from $30,000 to $108,000 with an interquartile range of $65,000 to $78,500.
Find out more: View our full MSSW career outcomes report (2024) or explore our article, “Careers as Change Agent.”
MSSW Part-Time to Full-Time (Extended) Admission Summary
It only takes 10 minutes to start your application to the Part-Time to Full-Time (Extended) Online MS in Social Work. 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
The difference is how long you’ll spend as a part-time student.
- In the Part-Time to Full-Time (Extended) pathway, the degree that you’re considering on this page, students move into full-time status once they begin the practicum education portion of their degree in their second year.
- In the Part-Time pathway, students maintain part-time status for the entirety of the degree.
Most classes are presented live at a fixed time every week. This synchronous format allows you to have a fully interactive course experience where you learn alongside your cohort members.
You will be expected to attend class at set days and times, though the sessions will be recorded for your future reference.
- A method specialization is the particular skill set you want to develop related to the groups you want to serve.
- A field of practice is the professional domain you would like to work in after completing your degree.
You’ll choose one method specialization and one field of practice after your first year.
You can see all choices available to you on our specializations page.
The Office of Practicum Learning partners with community agencies that offer exposure to social work practice in diverse settings throughout the country. They have connections to hundreds of placement sites.
With that in mind, we work hard to find practicum placements close to your home, but we cannot guarantee it. The maximum commute time allowed, from residence to agency site, is 90 minutes each way.
You can find out more about sites and completing your hours on our practicum 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.
