Columbia University School of Social Work (CSSW) offers the first within degree psychedelic-assisted therapy training program in the world, which prepares graduating MSWs to enter the psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) field with four courses, totaling 112 hours of classroom learning and 50+ hours of asynchronous learning related to psychedelic-specific curriculum, and a relevant 600-hour practicum placement, at no additional cost to their MSW education. Only students already admitted to CSSW will have the opportunity to apply to the Psychedelic Therapy Training Program (PTTP).
We are excited to announce that we are currently in the process of launching an alternative option from the PTTP, a minor in PAT, which will consist of three courses of psychedelic-specific curriculum. The classes will be taught online and available to all Columbia MSSW students in their final year of study, regardless of specialization.
In addition to the full PTTP certificate program and the minor in PAT, we also offer elective courses in PAT, guest lectures, faculty training opportunities, and a post-graduate course, Fundamentals of Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy, offered through Columbia+. We also hosted a free learning series in spring of 2023, Foundations in Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy for Social Workers, which featured a spectrum of topics, including an overview of psychedelics, clinical competencies, impacts of identity and social location, and integration.
The diversity among the social work profession, along with its commitment to social justice values and its prevalence in the mental health workforce, makes our involvement critical for these treatments to be accessible to the communities who need them most.
The Psychedelic Therapy Training Program was made possible by generous contributions from the Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation and the Joe & Sandy Samberg Foundation.