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International Students
NOTE: Requirements
in this section are in effect for students who entered
in Fall 2005 or after. Students entering before Fall 2005
should contact Student Services for requirements.
Welcome to Columbia University School of Social Work! We are excited to have you join our community and are sure that you will add a unique dimension to our already diverse student body.
Having recognized the special needs you have, we have created a plan of study that will give you the foundation you need to make valuable professional contributions to the field of social work, whether you choose to work in your home country or in the United States. The recommended plan of study outlined below has been designed for international master's students who hold an F1 or J1 visa and for recent permanent residents who may not be familiar with social work and how it is practiced in the United States.
Students in the program are required to participate in the International Student Orientation and to enroll in the Professional Immersion Seminar (T6007). The Professional Immersion Seminar, which meets bi-weekly during the fall and spring semesters of the first year, gives students an introduction to social work practice in the United States. Lectures by guest speakers, video presentations, and group discussions on topics of special interest help participants gain valuable insights into the history of American social work, understand the organizational structures of American field agencies, and provide a forum in which to discuss fears and expectations of the field.
American Language Program Requirement
In addition to the International Student Orientation and the Professional Immersion Seminar, students are required to take a proficiency exam in spoken and written English. This exam is administered by the American Language Program at Columbia University and, generally, is taken during the International Student Orientation. Those who score below an advanced level will be required to take an English as a Second Language course that has been specifically designed by the American Language Program to help international social work students prepare for the field. This course will be taken during the fall semester at an additional charge to each student for whom it is required.
Those following the plan of study for international students begin field instruction in the spring semester. Fieldwork and the concomitant practice courses continue through the summer session between the first and second years of study.
Minors
Because the requirements of this program conflict with the requirements for the Law Minor Program, students in the International Program are not eligible to pursue a minor in law. However, minors in Business, International Social Welfare, and Public Policy and Administration are available. To read more about minoring in one of these areas, log-on to http://www.columbia.edu/cu/ssw/students/.
Additional Resources
In addition to the academic that CUSSW offers, there are a number of resources available through our student union, our vast alumni network and through Columbia University. For example, the Alumni/ae International Committee serves as a liaison between alumni/ae and current international students and hosts varied programs and events throughout the year. The Student Union and Student Caucuses also provide international students with cultural and social experiences.
The International Students and Scholars Office
The International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO) offers many services to international students as well as to American citizens and permanent residents who have received their education in a foreign country. Services for international students include pre-admission counseling, immigration-related document services, International Orientation, social and cultural activities, and a program for the spouses of students. The ISSO also provides credential analysis services to the admission offices of the University. The ISSO is open year-round, and international students are urged to make use of its services during their stay at the University.
The staff of the International Students and Scholars Office are available for personal advisement and for help in learning about the campus and New York City. The staff can also help solve problems with the Immigration and Naturalization Service and can assist with many other non-academic matters. The ISSO provides information about the many international student clubs at Columbia and cultural activities in the New York area, and has reduced-rate tickets for plays, concerts, and other events.
International House
Through a contract negotiated annually, the University’s enrolled international students enjoy the privilege of complimentary Affiliate Membership in International House. “I-House,” founded in 1924 by John D. Rockefeller Jr., located at 500 Riverside Drive, is a world-renowned residential community of American and international students that offers a wide, intellectually stimulating array of cultural and social programs and events. International students are encouraged to visit the ISSO at 524 Riverside Drive upon their arrival in New York City.
The Orientation program sponsored by International House for international students arriving for the September term takes place during Orientation Week, usually either the last week in August or the first week in September. Contact the ISSO office directly for more specific information about their programs.
Important Contacts for International Students:
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Karma Lowe, Assistant Director
knl3@columbia.edu
| 851-2364
1255 Amsterdam Avenue, Room 525
New York, New York 10027
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