History

Social work practice as we know it in this country began at the turn of the century with the compassionate concerns of the charity organization movement. Social work education began in 1898 when the New York Charity Organization Society established a summer school for volunteers who wanted to deepen their understanding of the poor people they were dedicated to helping. This was extended to a one-year program in 1904 (and a full two years in 1910) to provide a worker with adequate training for managing charitable institutions or advising families about their complex needs.

Originally called the New York School of Philanthropy, it was renamed the New York School of Social Work in 1917 and the Columbia University School of Social Work in 1963. It has maintained continuous academic connections with Columbia University from the beginning, becoming formally affiliated in 1940, and a member of the Columbia University Corporation in 1959.

From those early days, the School has played a leadership role in social work practice and education, identifying and confronting the changing national social issues. The faculty members of the School have always included nationally and internationally known scholars and educators who have made substantial contributions to the knowledge base of the profession through their lectures and their writings, including the basic texts used today in schools throughout the world. From this faculty have come many of the models for modern social work education and practice-psychiatric social work, bureaus of child guidance, research programs, required field work, and doctoral programs.

From coalitions formed by the School’s administrators and faculty with other powerful professional and community forces national movements have emerged, such as the Urban League, White House Conferences on Children, the Association of Schools of Social Work, and many others. Alumni of the School have earned honor and distinction in leadership positions in public and voluntary organizations around the world. Many are deans and faculty members of other schools of social work. Others are building the groundwork for present and future leadership by their steady achievements in practice, policy making, and research.

Through its location in New York, the School provides students with a rich and stimulating learning experience in urban living and the problems associated with it.

In these roots, firmly established three quarters of a century ago, and in the sustained excellence of the faculty and educational programs lies the continuing promise of the School’s preeminent contributions to social work and social work education of the future.

The School’s Master of Science Program is accredited by the Council of Social Work Education. The Master’s Program prepares students for entry into advanced social work practice.

At the School's Centennial Celebration in June 1998, Prof. Alfred Kahn spoke on "The First Hundred Years".