Columbia School of Social Work

What Columbia School of Social Work does

Columbia School of Social Work (CSSW) is a constituent school of Columbia University, founded in 1898 as the first school of social work in the United States. It offers a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)-accredited Master of Science in Social Work (MSSW) program in both residential and online formats, a PhD program administered through Columbia's Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, and continuing education through the Office of Professional Excellence and Center for Prolonged Grief. Students select from multiple pathways (Two-Year, 16-Month, Five-Term International, Advanced Standing, Transfer, Part-Time, One-Year Residency) and four specializations, supplemented by 1,200 required practicum hours across two placement sites. Practicum learning is operationalized through the Sonia placement management system, which tracks students, agencies, and forms across a network of 1,000+ agency partners in NYC, NJ, CT and nationwide. Revenue derives from tuition, alumni donations and fundraising (including $100K+ named scholarships), and sponsored research across 14 research centers spanning substance use disorders, poverty, racial equity, global health, and China-focused social policy. The school also operates a new Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy training program, a forthcoming MS Bioethics/MSSW dual degree, and a High Impact Leadership & Management professional certificate series launching in fall 2026. |

Columbia School of Social Work is a private graduate school within Columbia University, founded in 1898 as the first school of social work in the United States. It delivers CSWE-accredited MSSW and PhD programs, supplemented by practicum placement across 1,000+ agency partners, continuing education, and 14 research centers. Revenue is generated from tuition, alumni donations, and sponsored research grants; the school is supported by an 18,000+ alumni network and an interdisciplinary faculty of 40+ full-time and 100+ adjunct instructors. Recent strategic moves include a new MS Bioethics/MSSW dual degree, an inaugural psychedelic-assisted therapy program, a fall 2026 leadership certificate series, and a planned dean transition for September 2026.

Name

Columbia School of Social Work

Legal name

Columbia School of Social Work

Website

https://socialwork.columbia.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1898

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Columbia School of Social Work, founded 1898 as the first U.S. school of social work, delivers CSWE-accredited MSSW and PhD programs in residential and online formats. It serves graduate students and licensed social workers through practicum placements across 1,000+ agency partners and 14 research centers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education / Social Work Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (54172), Educational Support Services (6117)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Work-Based Learning Programs (Internships, Apprenticeships, Community-Based Instruction) (EDAKANAF)

Keywords

• Graduate social work education
• Master of social work
• Doctoral social work
• Continuing education training
• Practicum field education

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Fees: Revenue generated from tuition for MSSW and PhD programs. Students pay tuition based on their program pathway and enrollment status.
2. Donations and Fundraising: Contributions from alumni and friends provide financial aid for students, funding for faculty research, and overall school support. Annual giving, major gifts ($100K+), named scholarships, and emergency relief funds.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Columbia School of Social Work is the first school of social work in the United States (founded 1898) and a constituent school of Columbia University. It delivers CSWE-accredited graduate social work education through a Master of Science in Social Work (MSSW) program offered residentially in New York City and online nationwide, a PhD in Social Work, and Continuing Education workshops and certificates for licensed practitioners. Programs combine rigorous academic coursework with 1,200 hours of practicum field experience across two placement sites, supported by partnerships with more than 1,000 agencies and non-profits.

Product overview

Columbia School of Social Work is the first school of social work in the United States (since 1898), offering a comprehensive portfolio of educational programs and professional development services. The core offerings include the CSWE-accredited Master of Science in Social Work (MSSW) program available in residential and online formats, a PhD program in Social Work, and Continuing Education through the Office of Professional Excellence and Center for Prolonged Grief. The MSSW Online Option (launched 2015) enables students nationwide to earn their degree while completing practicum placements in their local areas. Supporting platforms include Sonia for practicum placement management, along with specialized research centers addressing areas such as social justice, China policy, opioid/substance use disorders, poverty, and grief therapy. A new High Impact Leadership & Management professional certificate series is planned for fall 2026.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Master of Science in Social Work (MSSW) Program CSWE-accredited Master of Science in Social Work degree preparing students for professional social work practice; offered residentially and online with 8 pathways (Two-Year, 16-Month, Five-Term International, Advanced Standing, Transfer, Part-Time, Part-Time to Full-Time, One-Year Residency) and 4 specializations.
• MSSW Online Option Online Master of Science in Social Work offering the same curriculum as the residential program with nationwide practicum placements; has received industry recognition as an award-winning program.
• PhD Program in Social Work Doctor of Philosophy in Social Work offered through Columbia University's Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, preparing candidates for careers as researchers, scholars, and educators with concentrations in Advanced Practice and Social Policy and Policy Analysis.
• Continuing Education Program

Quantifiable outcome

• 18,000+ alumni network of working professionals
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• John Jay College of Criminal Justice SEEK ProgramcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025The Social Work Pathways Initiative (SWPI) is an ongoing collaboration between CSSW's Action Lab for Social Justice and John Jay College's SEEK program. Funded by a 2025-2027 New York Community Trust grant, the initiative supports BIPOC and economically vulnerable students pursuing MSSW and PhD degrees.
• All CampuscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2015CSSW partnered with All Campus, a higher education support company, on marketing and student recruitment for the online MSSW program. All Campus partners with leading institutions including Vanderbilt University, Boston University, and Teachers College at Columbia University. They assist with market research, outreach, and consulting services to help the online program reach eligible candidates.
• Columbia University Graduate School of Arts and SciencescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe PhD program is offered by Columbia University's Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS) and administered by the School of Social Work. This partnership enables doctoral candidates to access courses across Columbia professional schools.
• Columbia University ISSO (International Students & Scholars Office)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerISSO serves as the primary resource for international students, providing visa applications, work authorization guidance, and cultural adjustment support.
• International Organizations (UN, Global NGOs)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStudents have option for summer and field internships at international organizations like the United Nations, both in New York and abroad. Students also take courses with faculty working globally.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work: Top-ranked public university MSW program with MSW, PhD, and online options. Comparable in research intensity, scale, and emphasis on evidence-based practice; competes with CSSW for research funding and top faculty.
• Boston University School of Social Work: Private university MSW program with on-campus and online options, large enrollment, and a comparable focus on clinical and macro practice. Competes with CSSW for online MSW applicants and similar faculty recruitment.
• Washington University in St. Louis Brown School of Social Work: Elite private university MSW program offering MSW, PhD, and dual degrees with a strong research orientation. Peer in brand tier, research focus, and applicant caliber; competes with CSSW for top students and faculty.
• University of Chicago Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice: Recently renamed (formerly SSA) elite professional school offering MSW and PhD programs with a focus on social policy and practice. Closely comparable to CSSW in brand tier, urban setting, and research orientation.
• Hunter College Silberman School of Social Work: Public NYC CUNY MSW program with a strong focus on urban social work practice and a large, diverse student body. Competes with CSSW in the NYC market, particularly for in-state applicants and scholarship-supported students.
• NYU Silver School of Social Work: Premier peer MSW program located in New York City, offering CSWE-accredited MSSW and PhD degrees with similar specializations and elite-tier positioning. Direct competitor for the same applicant pool in the NYC metropolitan market.
• UC Berkeley School of Social Welfare: Elite public university MSW program offering MSW and PhD degrees with concentrations in practice and policy. Peer institution in research intensity, faculty credentials, and applicant pool at the top of the social work education market.
• University of Michigan School of Social Work: Top-ranked public university MSW program with MSW and PhD degrees, large research portfolio, and national reputation. Competes with CSSW for top applicants and faculty, and offers a comparable scale of research and practicum infrastructure.
• Smith College School for Social Work: Highly selective private MSW program focused on clinical social work with a small, intensive cohort model. Comparable to CSSW in selectivity and clinical orientation, though with a smaller, more specialized footprint.
• Fordham University Graduate School of Social Service: NYC-area private university MSW program with on-campus and online options. Direct geographic competitor for the same NYC-area applicant pool and practicum partner agencies as CSSW.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@columbiassw
• Facebookfacebook.com/columbiassw
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/columbia-university-school-of-social-work
• Instagraminstagram.com/columbiassw/?hl=en

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Subsidiaries14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Columbia School of Social Work