The School's curriculum is designed to emphasize the social work profession's commitment to understanding the person, environment, and the interplay between them. Through concurrent study in class and in the field, students in the M.S. program acquire an understanding of the scientific principles, the practice methods, and the ethical and social values of professional social work. All students complete coursework in human behavior and the social environment, social welfare policy and services, research, and social work practice, thus gaining a strong foundation that supports further in-depth study.
Coursework is complemented with the field instruction placement.
In light of the wide range of students' career goals and the multitude of functions that social workers are expected to perform, the curriculum allows for significant individualization and specialization. Students concentrate in one of five practice methods and learn the values, knowledge and skills unique to that method. By selecting a field of practice in, for example, family, youth, and children's services, students focus on the policies, programs, research and issues that characterize the field and apply their chosen practice method in the context of the field. This enables them to link their academic interests with 'real-world' experiences in practice, programming and administration. Fifteen years ago, the Columbia University School of Social Work Educational Site was established at Purchase College, SUNY, to provide greater accessibility for students who live north of New York City.