Enrollment Policies and Procedures

> Program Planning
> Registration
> Registration Contacts
> Summer Session
> Audit Policy
> Changes in Program (Drop/Add, Withdrawal, Leaves)
> Tuition and Fees
> Health Insurance

Program Planning

Students plan their programs in accordance with school policies and requirements. The first year of study consists of courses that form the foundation for advanced study in the second year. All students are encouraged to plan their program with their academic advisor.

The student is responsible for tracking and meeting all degree requirements.

The University Registrar is responsible for procedures related to registration. The CUSSW Office of Enrollment and Student Services works closely with the Registrar’s Office in overseeing the registration process and distributing the necessary materials for students to register.



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General Information for M.S. Student Registration

Full-time students at CUSSW usually enroll for 13.5 to 16.5 credits each term in a combination of courses and field education. Those who wish to register for more than 19.5 credits or less than 10.5 must secure the approval of their academic advisor and complete the Exception to Academic Policies Form, which is forwarded for review and approval by the Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs. To maintain full-time status, students must register for a minimum of 10.5 credits.

Prerequisites: Students are permitted to register for a course provided they meet all prerequisites. This includes all program changes subsequent to registration. If a student registers for a course without meeting the prerequisites, he or she will be withdrawn from the course and remain responsible for the tuition.

Class Size Limits: The School endeavors to control the enrollment size of all classes and sections. Each term a sufficient number of sections of the required courses and electives are scheduled to permit students to meet the requirements. While the School offers a wide array of electives, it is not always possible to schedule multiple sections of an elective course.

Only students officially registered for a course and section are permitted to attend that class. Individual professors do not have the authority to accept a student into a full course.

Billing and Payment: The University mails an estimated Term Invoice to each student prior to the beginning of each term. (See the Appendix for a complete billing schedule.) Payment for all charges not covered by financial aid must be received by the date indicated on the invoice.

Late Payment Charges: If the University does not receive the total amount due for the term on or before the payment due date, students may be subject to late payment charges. If payment is not received by the due date, a one-time charge of $150 per term may be imposed. In addition, a charge of one percent per billing cycle may be imposed on any amount past due thereafter.

Late Registration Fee: Students registering during the University’s late registration period will be assessed a $50 fee; those permitted to register after the late registration period pay a $100 fee.

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Registration Procedures and Policies

New students receive information on orientation and registration by e-mail prior to the start of the academic year. Information is also posted on the School of Social Work website. Students may complete and return pre-registration enrollment forms electronically to the Office of Enrollment and Student Services. The Office of Enrollment and Student Services registers all students for their first semester of classes, which students receive on the first day of Orientation..

Continuing students register online via Student Services Online according to instructions they receive via their Columbia University e-mail accounts. Registration information for continuing students also is available on the School of Social Work website. Each student is randomly assigned to one of three registration groups for the duration of her/his studies at CUSSW. Each term, a student’s registration appointment time is rotated among three groups to ensure that each student has an equal chance to have high, middle, and low priority for choosing classes. Course schedules are available via the Columbia University website.

Complete registration instructions are available online at Student Services Online and on the School of Social Work’s Current Students webpage.Office of Student Services staff (on the 5th floor of the SW building or via e-mail at [email protected]) also areavailable to help students once they have tried the online registration system.

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Registration for a Tutorial (Independent Study)

A tutorial or independent study offers students an opportunity to study content not offered in the regular program. Students wishing to register for a tutorial (independent study) - T6002 - T6003 – make arrangements with a full-time faculty member who agrees to serve as instructor for the tutorial. The faculty member and the student’s academic advisor must sign a tutorial form, which is then submitted to the Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs for approval. A description of the plan for the tutorial, including the content, objectives, time frame, assignments and plan for evaluation, must accompany the form. Once the tutorial is approved, the Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs sends a copy of the form to the Office of Enrollment and Student Services for processing.

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Registration for Courses in Other Divisions of the University

When registering for courses in other divisions of the University, students need to secure approval from the academic department or instructor of the course using an Add/Drop  or Cross-Registration Form. Some schools, such as the School of Public Health, require a separate signed instructor approval from, which can be obtained from the Public Health Registrar. If a student wishes to register for a course at Teacher’s College, approval must be obtained from the Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs of CUSSW (via a signed Exception to Academic Policies form), the academic advisor, plus any approvals required by Teacher’s College. Students who cross-register at TC will be charged the TC tuition rate per credit, which may be more than the CUSSW rate. Students who are cross-registering at all other Columbia divisions will not incur additional tuition charges if they are under the flat-rate billing program and are registered for no more than a total of 19.5 credits. Students under a per-credit billing program are charged the CUSSW tuition rate per credit. The required approvals should be signed on the add/drop form. Completed forms should be returned to Room 520 or 523.

 

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Registration at Non-Columbia Graduate Schools

Once matriculated at CUSSW, students are not permitted to enroll in courses at non-Columbia graduate schools for credit toward the M.S. degree. While students may apply for an exception to this policy using the Exception to Academic Policies,, which is forwarded it to the Assistant  Dean for Academic Affairs, such exceptions are rarely granted.

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Holds

Students are permitted to register for courses only if there are no holds on their student account. A hold blocks students from participating inonline registration. Students can check to see if a hold has been placed on their account bylogging on to their Student Services Online account (ssol.columbia.edu). Students will need to have activated their e-mail account in order to access SSOL. The login and password for SSOL is the student’s e-mail UNI and password.

If a hold is in effect, students should contact the office that placed it, resolve the outstanding obligation, and make sure the office removes the hold from the computer system. Neither the Office of Enrollment and Student Services nor the Office of the Registrar can remove Bursar’s or Health Services holds.

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Registration Policy and Implementation

David I. Yam
Senior Assistant Dean, Admissions and Student Enrollment Services
Room 522, 1255 Amsterdam Avenue
212 851-2359
[email protected]

Karma Lowe
Director of Student Services and Financial Aid
Room 523, 1255 Amsterdam Avenue
212 851-2364
[email protected]

University Registrar
204 Kent Hall
212 854-4330

 

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Summer Session

In addition to the autumn and spring semesters, the School offers select M.S. courses during its summer session, which begins the Monday following the May commencement. Offerings include required courses and a variety of electives. Courses are held either once or twice a week. To enroll in more than two courses during the summer session, students must secure approval of their academic advisor and file an Exception to Academic Policies Form with the Office of Student Services. This does not apply to 16-Month Program students who are required to enroll full-time in the Summer session.

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Auditing Courses at CUSSW

It is the policy at CUSSW to permit full-time students to unofficially audit one non-required course at the School per academic year (not including the Summer session). An unofficial audit will not appear on the student’s academic records. Auditors must meet course pre-requisites. Students must complete all requirements as requested by the instructor. Audit requests are approved only if there is space in the course after students registering for credit have been admitted and the Office of Enrollment and Student Services has obtained instructor approval. To audit a course at CUSSW, students need to complete an Audit Request form prior to the beginning of the term. If approved, the student and course instructor will be notified via e-mail.

Auditing Courses at Another School of the University

To audit a course in another school of the University, students must follow that school's Audit Policy, and obtain a Permission to Audit form from the University Registrar after completing registration. The form must be approved by the Office of the Dean at the school offering the course and presented to the instructor at the first class session. Matriculated M.S. students do not generally register for an official audit, designated "R" by the University. Students registering for "R" credit must pay for the course.

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Changes in Program

Once registered, students may change their classes using the online registration system (SSOL) or by going to the Social Work Office of Student Services during the change of program (add/drop) period.

Once registered, students may drop courses up to and including the Friday of the 10th week of the semester. For students under a per-credit billing program, a course dropped during the official add/drop period, will results in the studentreceiving a credit equal to the cost of that course. No refund is given for courses dropped after the official add/drop period. If a student has registered for non-social work courses, he/she must complete an add/drop form and return it with the academic advisor’s signature to Room 520 or 523.

Failure to attend classes or to notify the instructor does not constitute a formal withdrawal or drop of a class. Students will be financially responsible and will receive a mark of UW (Unofficial Withdrawal) for the course.

Students are not allowed to add or make changes to their schedule after the official Add/Drop period has ended. Students needing to add a course after the official Add/Drop period must get approval from the Office of Enrollment and Student Services. Students may only drop field education and their practice course after consulting with and receiving approval from the Director of Advising and the Field Education Department. An add/drop form must be completed and returned to Room 520 or 523.

 

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Withdrawal from the School

Withdrawal is an option for students who do not wish to continue in the program or for students who are not in good academic standing and are required to withdraw. Students who withdraw voluntarily from the School must meet with the Office of Advising, a member of the Field Education Department and must contact the offices of Enrollment and Student Services and Financial Aid to arrange for an exit interview. Students who voluntarily withdraw from the School must apply for readmission to the School.


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Taking a Leave

Students who are in good academic standing both in class and in field education may request a leave of absence because of personal reasons. A request for a leave of absence must be recommended by both the student’s faculty advisor or the Office of Advising and the Field Education Department and forwarded to the Senior Assistant Dean for Enrollment and Student Service Systems for review and approval. The maximum time period for a leave of absence is one year. For further information and appropriate forms please contact the Office of Advising ([email protected]) and the Office of Student Services ([email protected]).

Requests for a medical leave must follow the above procedures; however, medical documentation must be provided to the University’s Health Services and/or the student must receive medical clearance from University Health Services prior to returning from a medical leave of absence.

Students who withdraw or take a leave of absence from the program after the add/drop period has ended, will be responsible for paying the tuition owed according to the University’s Refund Schedule. In addition, a $75 withdrawal fee is charged to all students who withdraw. This is a University Administrative Fee and no exceptions are made. Dropping down to zero (0) points does not constitute a withdrawal from the University. See withdrawal policy above.

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Withdrawal Adjustment Schedule

Based on the week of withdrawal, the refund percentage is as follows:

Week Refund
1st week 100% tuition and fees (except transcript fee) refunded
2nd week 90% tuition refunded, no fees refunded
3rd week 80% tuition refunded, no fees refunded
4th week 80% tuition refunded, no fees refunded
5th week 70% tuition refunded, no fees refunded
6th week 60% tuition refunded, no fees refunded
7th week 60% tuition refunded, no fees refunded
8th week 50% tuition refunded, no fees refunded
9th week 40% tuition refunded, no fees refunded
After 9th week 0% no refund

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Fees

University charges such as tuition and fees and residence halls and board plans are due and payable in full by the date announced before the beginning of each term. Late payments are subject to a one-time $150 late fee, after which 1% of the remaining balance is charged as a late fee. If tuition and fees are not paid in full by or at registration, students will not be permitted to register.

It is the policy of the University to withhold diplomas, certificates, and transcripts until all financial obligations have been met. Candidates for graduation are urged to pay their bills in full at least one month prior to graduation.

In the event a diploma, certificate, or transcript is withheld because of an unpaid bill, a student will be required to use a certified check, money order, or cash to release any of the documents.

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Tuition and Fees 2011-2012

  • For all courses, per point, except where a special fee is fixed: $1,176
  • Continuing doctoral registration in social work: $400 or $1,574 (applicable fee determined by SW Doctoral Program office)
  • Student activity fee (per semester): $75
  • Instructional technology fee (per semester): $200
  • Orientation and events fee (1st term only): $400

Online Application Fees

  • For admission as a full-time student: $65
  • For admission as a non-matriculated student: $65

Late Registration Fees

  • During late registration: $50
  • After late registration: $100


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Health Service and Insurance

Payment of the health service fee, which is merely contributory to the total cost of health service, and of the health insurance premium is compulsory for some students (any student registered full time) and optional for others (students registered part-time). Students for whom payment of the health insurance fee is compulsory may waive participation in one or both of the health plans by showing proof of comparable coverage. Consult the University’s Health Services website for benefits attainable under and cost associated with these plans, for regulations governing waiver of participation, and for other information.

Student Immunization

Under New York State Law, any student born after January 1, 1957 and enrolled for six or more points must be vaccinated twice after his or her first birthday against measles. If a student cannot prove either the two required vaccinations or immunity from having had the measles, the student may not attend classes, participate in university-sponsored events or come onto campus. For information, contact the University Health Service Immunization Records Office at 212-854-7210 or [email protected].

Such students must also demonstrate immunity for mumps and rubella (German measles). Columbia also recommends a recent tuberculosis skin test (PPD) and several other vaccines

Meningitis Vaccination Decision

Under a New York State public health law enacted in 2003, college and university students must receive information from their institutions about meningococcal meningitis and the vaccine that protects against most strains of the disease seen on university campuses. The law requires all students registered for 6 or more points to decide whether or not to be immunized and to provide formal certification of their decision. (Proof of immunity will NOT be required.)

Columbia University provides an online system designed to make it easy for students to comply with this requirement: https://ssol.columbia.edu/ssv/crt/menIntro.html

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