Requirements

Requirements

For additional information on some of the application elements mentioned above, look through the drop-down elements below.

For additional information the requirements to join the TCSOL-TESOL Dual Certificate Program Online, refer to the information below.

  • TCSOL/TESOL Summer Program Application Form 
  • Statement of purpose
  • Academic transcripts
  • Proof of language proficiency (For non-native speakers only; please see the specific requirements below.)
  • Two letters of recommendation
  • Résumé/CV
  • Receipt of application fee payment

Applicants should send all required application materials as attachments in a single email to ciflte@tc.columbia.edu by the appropriate deadline. The only exceptions are the letters of recommendation, which should not be sent by applicants; instead, the references themselves should email their letters directly to ciflte@tc.columbia.edu. 

 

Incomplete applications will NOT be considered for admission review.

All current students and graduates from TC, Columbia, and Barnard are exempt from most application requirements, and are required to submit just the application, statement of purpose, and application fee.

TCSOL/TESOL Summer Program Application Form

Download and complete the Application Form. If you have trouble accessing the form, please email ciflte@tc.columbia.edu.

 

Statement of Purpose

You must submit a personal statement of about 500 words, documenting your professional interests, goals, and reasons for applying to the TCSOL/TESOL Summer Certificate Program. The personal statement may also include information on your education background and any prior experience in language teaching. For those whose native language is Chinese, the statement of purpose should be written in English; otherwise it should be written in Chinese.

 

Proof of Language Proficiency

If you are a non-native speaker of English, you will have to submit proof of English language proficiency regardless of the track(s) you are applying for, as courses will be conducted largely or entirely in English.

  • OPTION A: English Language Proficiency Score Reports
    • Accepted tests: TOEFL iBT, TOEFL cBT, IELTS, TOEIC
    • Language score requirements: 
      • TOEFL iBT: 90
      • TOEFL cBT: 233
      • IELTS: 6.0
      • TOEIC: 700
    • In general, we ask that language scores be less than three years old. 
  • OPTION B: If you do not have an English proficiency test score, please contact the CIFLTE office at ciflte@tc.columbia to schedule an online interview via Zoom, which will determine if you are proficient enough to succeed in the program. You will be informed of your interview results within three business days following your interview.
  • EXEMPTION: This requirement may be waived for those who have received a bachelor’s/master's degree from an EMI (English as a Medium of Instruction) university OR who are currently enrolled in a master’s program at an EMI university. To request a waiver, please email a request to CIFLTE at ciflte@tc.columbia. Waiver not required for Teachers College, Columbia, or Barnard students or graduates, who are automatically exempt.

If you are a non-native speaker of Chinese applying to TCSOL or dual tracks, you will have to submit proof of Chinese language proficiency. 

  • OPTION A: Chinese Language Proficiency Score Reports 
    • In general, non-native speakers of Chinese must demonstrate proficiency at an HSK-5 level or higher. 
    • In general, we ask that language scores be less than three years old.
  • OPTION B: If you do not have a Chinese proficiency test score, please contact the CIFLTE office at ciflte@tc.columbia to schedule an online interview via Zoom, which will determine if you are proficient enough to succeed in the program. You will be informed of your interview results within three business days following your interview.

EXEMPTION: This requirement may be waived for those who have received a bachelor’s/master's degree from a CMI (Chinese as a Medium of Instruction) university OR who are currently enrolled in a master’s program at a CMI university. To request a waiver, please email a request to CIFLTE at ciflte@tc.columbia. 

Academic Transcripts

Please submit all academic transcripts. Unofficial transcripts are accepted. If obtaining your academic transcripts is not feasible due to the length of time since graduation, please contact the CIFLTE team at ciflte@tc.columbia. 

Academic transcripts are waived for those who are Teachers College, Columbia, or Barnard students or graduates.

 

Letters of Recommendation

Two letters of recommendation that can attest to your personal strengths, academic merits, and overall ability to succeed in the program are required for your application. Referees should email their letters of recommendation directly to ciflte@tc.columbia rather than forwarding them to the applicant. It is highly recommended that you contact your referees early so as to allow them enough time to write and submit their letters of recommendation. However, please do not wait to submit your application materials if your references have not yet emailed their letters.

Letters of recommendation are waived for those who are Teachers College, Columbia, or Barnard students or graduates.

 

Résumé/CV

Submit your most recent résumé or CV. 

This requirement is optional for those who are Teachers College, Columbia, or Barnard students or graduates.

 

Application Fee

Your application is not considered complete until you have submitted your application fee. The Early Bird Deadline is Feb. 1, 2026; if you apply on or before this date, the application fee is $50. Applications submitted after this date but on or 

before the Priority Deadline of Apr. 1, 2026 is $80. For any applications submitted between March 16 and the Final Deadline of June 15, 2026, the fee is $100. 

Please email your payment receipt along with other application materials to ciflte@tc.columbia.edu. Payment can be made by credit card here. Please do not hesitate to contact CIFLTE at ciflte@tc.columbia.edu should you encounter any problems in making the payment.

 

STEP 2: APPLICATION REVIEW AND DECISION NOTIFICATION

Applications will be reviewed only after all the required application materials are received and the application fee is submitted. To expedite the application process, you are advised to plan ahead and submit your application materials early. Once an application decision has been made, we will inform you of your application result via email.

 

STEP 3: ACCEPTING THE OFFER AND TUITION PAYMENT

Applicants who apply by May 1, 2026: To confirm your acceptance of the offer and to hold your place in the program, you must make a $1,000 deposit within one month of receiving your acceptance letter. 

Applicants who apply after May 1, 2026: To confirm your acceptance of the offer and to hold your place in the program, you must make a $1,000 deposit within two weeks of receiving your acceptance letter or by the program start date, whichever comes first.

To make a payment, please click here. A $100 late fee will be incurred for any late payments.

 

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