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WHY RECRUIT AT CUSSW?
A world-renowned Ivy League institution based in New York City, Columbia University School of Social Work (CUSSW) has a rich history as the oldest and most renowned institution in the United States and boasts an impeccable record of academic excellence and an extensive roster of distinguished alumni and faculty. Intellectual creativity, publication productivity, and leadership in research and education have distinguished our faculty and the School.
CUSSW students are a select, sophisticated, and ambitious group. With an average age of 26, CUSSW students often have several years of professional experience in a variety of fields. Our students are diverse and come from across the world, representing 32 states and over 40 countries. Nearly 25% of our population identifies as students of color and more than 10 percent of our students are international students. Armed with an outstanding education and well-integrated professional experiences, they are well prepared to work in a variety of professional areas.
Columbia University’s School of Social Work has an innovative curriculum that is aimed at preparing exceptional professionals who make a positive difference in the workplace. The curriculum design provides students with a strong foundation in direct practice, administration, policy, research, and ethics. Students develop their individual professional interests by specializing in a practice concentration and field of practice (see below for a more detailed outline). In addition to classroom education, students’ learnings are strengthened by a 21-hour a week field placement (7 hours, three days a week). Within their field placements, students learn to master the knowledge and skills of the profession as they provide invaluable service to individuals, families, neighborhoods, communities and organizations.
Some of the organizations where students serve include: Ackerman Institute, Sanctuary for Families, The Legal Aid Society, Mt. Sinai Medical Center, NYC Dept. of Education, Harlem Hospital, Jewish Board of Children & Family Services, Hoffman Laroche-EAP, The Jewish Museum, New York City Human Resources Administration, and Hebrew Home at Riverdale.
The Office of Career & Leadership Development partners with over 1,300 employers who recruit CUSSW students and alumni. These employers include: Harlem Children’s Zone, Gay Men’s Health Crisis, AARP, International Rescue Committee (IRC), Columbia University/NY State Psychiatric Hospital, Vera institute Of Justice, MDRC, Center on Budget & Policy Priorities, Distict Attorney’s Office County of NY, Chicago Mayor’s Office, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, and Bank Street Head Start.
Master of Science in Social Work (MSW)
The Master of Science in Social Work program has been designed to develop professionals that will enhance the welfare of citizens and communities locally, nationally and internationally. The School’s curriculum prepares its graduates to work in a range of organizations strengthening practices, programs, and policies that support and enhance the opportunities, resources, and capacities of people to achieve their full potential; prevent and alleviate personal, interpersonal and societal problems; redress conditions that limit human development and quality of life; and, promote human rights, social justice and respect for human diversity.
Practice Concentrations
Advanced Clinical Social Work Practice
Students learn assessment, intervention, monitoring and evaluation, and how to use individual, family, group, and case management strategies. Skills learned: understanding of differential diagnosis, knowledge of clinical issues with specific client populations, evidence based social work thinking and practice, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Advanced Generalist Practice & Programming
Students learn direct and community practice, movement from case to cause, and development of innovative and responsive social programs and program resources, including staffing and funding. Skills learned: counseling, interviewing, assessment, referral, program evaluation, program design & development, proposal writing, planning, advocacy, coalition building, administration, policy, and education.
Policy Practice
Students learn how to establish and/or change social policy. The focus is on policy analysis and advocacy, including the knowledge, values, and skills to define policy issues from a social perspective. Skills learned: policymaking process, research, collecting/analyzing quantitative and qualitative.
Social Enterprise Administration
Students learn the skills, and values in administering and managing social service programs and organizations. Skills learned: program planning & evaluation, organizational and community development, HR management, financial management, staff development and training and managing for social responsibility and social justice.
Fields of Practice
- Aging
- Contemporary Social Issues
- Family, Youth and Children Services
- Health, Mental Health & Disabilities
- International Social Welfare and Services to Immigrants & Refugees
- School-based & School-linked Services
- World of Work
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