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Former names | Summer School of Philanthropic Work; New York School of Philanthropy |
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| Type | Private |
| Established | 1898; 127 years ago (1898) |
| Dean | Melissa D. Begg |
| Postgraduates | 1,093 |
| Location | ,, United States 40°48′37″N73°57′30″W / 40.81028°N 73.95833°W /40.81028; -73.95833 |
| Website | socialwork.columbia.edu |
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TheColumbia School of Social Work is the graduate school ofsocial work ofColumbia University in New York City. It is one of the oldest social work programs in the US, with roots extending back to 1898. It began awarding a Master of Science degree in 1940. As of 2018, it was one of the largest social work schools in the United States, with an enrollment of over 1,000 students.[1]
In 1898, the New YorkCharity Organization Society established the first Summer School in Philanthropic Work, a six-week program, at 105 East 22nd Street in New York City.[2][3][4][5] Twenty-five men and women attended the first classes.[6] It is one of the oldest social work programs in the US.[7] In 1904, it was expanded into the first full-time full-year course of graduate study in social work, and later a two-year course, at the newly renamed New York School of Philanthropy.[8][2]
The name of the School was changed in 1919 to the New York School of Social Work.[2] In 1931, the School moved to 122 East 22nd Street.[9] In 1940, the School was affiliated withColumbia University as one of its graduate schools, and began awarding aMaster of Science degree.[10] In 1949, the School moved to theAndrew Carnegie Mansion at 2 East 91st Street, and later to 622 West 113th Street.[11][12] The firstdoctoral degree was awarded in 1952.[7]
In 1961, the School formed a coalition in support ofPresident John F. Kennedy establishing thePeace Corps.[13] In 1963 the name of the school was changed to Columbia University School of Social Work. In 1966, the School began alongitudinal study offoster children and their families.[14] The first fully endowed professorship was set up in 1991, followed by the fullendowment of the Kenworthy Chair and nine additional endowed professorships. In 1997, an agreement was concluded with theUN Economic and Social Council to provide new program support and a fellowship. In that year, the school's endowment surpassed $40 million.[15]
In 1992, students of the school organized protests andteach-ins as part of a nationwide effort to protestwelfare cuts. The organizers of the school's events called the welfare cuts an example of the demonization of people on welfare.[16]
In 2002, construction of the current School of Social Work building began onAmsterdam Avenue and West 121st Street, north of Columbia's campus. The building was completed in 2004 and first used by students and faculty during the 2004–05 academic year.[citation needed] In 2007, the School founded the Global Health Research Center of Central Asia to develop and advance evidence-based, sustainable solutions to emergingpublic health and social issues in the region, receiving funding from theNational Institutes of Health.[17]
In 2012, the School established the Fisher Cummings Washington Fellows Program with a major gift.[18] The program funds select students for a semester-long internship in Washington, D.C., with an emphasis on working to promotesocial justice and the well-being of women, children, and families at the federal level.[19] In 2014, the School opened its Online Campus for earning a Master's of Science in Social Work (MSSW) from various major cities across the United States.[20]
In 2014, the "Beyond The Bars" conference was hosted by Columbia Center for Justice. This conference is hosted by students, faculty, and community leaders who have been impacted by incarceration.[21]
As of 2023, the School had 1,093 students.[22] It had 36 full-time faculty, and 233 part-time faculty.[22] The School received $15 million of externally sponsored research expenditures in 2022.[22]During their MSW, students have the choice between four different pathways: Advanced Clinical Practice (ACP), Integrated Practice and Programming (IPP), Policy Practice (PP), and Leadership Management and Entrepreneurship (LME).[23]
The School has helped form theUrban League and theWhite House Conferences on Children and Youth. The School was one of the first to develop anecological approach to social work.[citation needed] Members of the School faculty assistedFranklin Delano Roosevelt'sSecretary of LaborFrances Perkins in writing and implementing theSocial Security Act of 1935.[13] During and after World War II, the School staff helped to extend the social work role into the military. The School's 1966 study on foster children and their parents has also had an impact on national policy.[citation needed]
In 2008, the School was ranked fourth inU.S. News & World Report rankings of "America's Best Graduate Best Social Work Programs."[24] Between 1990 and 2004, the School ranked 19th out of 61 social workdoctoral programs in admissions selectivity.[25]
The School's mission focuses on the development of leaders in social work practice and research, the advancement of the social work profession, professional values, knowledge, and skills, and the enhancement of well-being and the promotion ofhuman rights andsocial justice at the local, national, and global level through the creation of responsive social programs and policies.[26]
In 2003, the School began publishing theJournal of Student Social Work[27]The Journal is a scholarly publication featuring articles related to all aspects of the social work profession, including clinical practice, public policy, and administration. In 2010The Journal was renamed theColumbia Social Work Review.[27]
As of 2024, it is ranked tied for 4th out of 319 schools for social work in the United States byU.S. News & World Report.[37]
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