English Language Requirements

These guidelines do not apply to Summer Term, or High School Programs.

Master's Degree Program Applicants

Applicants who are non-native speakers of English, regardless of whether or not they have studied in schools where the instruction is in English, are required to demonstrate satisfactory English proficiency by taking the American Language Program (ALP) placement test at Columbia. Applicants who reside outside of the US can submit recent (no older than two years) official scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). (Use school code 2594 to report TOEFL scores.)

Applicants who are not able to take the ALP exam must have a score of at least 600 on the paper version of the TOEFL, 250 on the computer version, or 100 on the Internet-based version to be considered for admission. However, applicants who are admitted on the basis of TOEFL scores are required to validate their scores by taking the ALP placement test at Columbia .

The ALP placement test evaluates language skills on a scale of 1 to 9. Part I of the ALP placement test is similar to the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Part II includes a test of writing skills. Students who score 9 on Part I of the test must confirm their proficiency level by taking Part II of the test. Master's degree program applicants who score below 9 on Part I or Part II are not eligible for admission.

Postbaccalaureate Studies Program and Visiting Student Applicants

Applicants who are non-native speakers of English, regardless of whether or not they have studied in schools where the instruction is in English, are required to demonstrate satisfactory English proficiency either by taking the American Language Program (ALP) placement test at Columbia or by submitting recent (no older than two years) official scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). (Use school code 2594 to report TOEFL scores.)

Postbaccalaureate Studies and Visiting Student applicants must have a score of at least 600 on the paper version of the TOEFL, 250 on the computer version, or 100 on the Internet-based version to be considered for admission. The admissions committee may consider verbal scores from the SAT, the ACT, or the GRE in making admissions decisions if TOEFL scores are unavailable.

Applicants who are admitted on the basis of TOEFL scores are required to validate their scores by taking the ALP placement test at Columbia before registration. If the ALP test reveals insufficient preparation in English, students will be required to follow a course of English study in the ALP until satisfactory proficiency is attained—that is, until they are promoted to ALP level 10.

The ALP placement test evaluates language skills on a scale of 1 to 10. Part I of the ALP placement test is similar to the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Part II includes a test of writing skills. Students who score a 9 or 10 on Part I of the test must confirm their proficiency level by taking Part II of the test. Applicants who score below 9 on Part I are not required to take Part II.

Postbaccalaureate Studies and Visiting Student applicants will be given access to courses based on their test scores in the following manner:

  1. Final score of 10: students will be allowed to take the academic course(s) of their choice through the School of Continuing Education .
  2. Final score of 7-9: students may take one or two subject-area courses in addition to full- or part-time English language courses through the ALP.
  3. Final score below 7: students may take ALP English language courses exclusively.

ALP English Certification Test Schedule and Fees

Applicants should take the ALP certification tests before they submit their applications. Test are given frequently during the following months:

Fall: August and September
Spring: January
Summer: May, June, and July

At other times, tests are given at least once every month.

Fee for Part I: $20
Fee for Part II: $20

View the English Certification Placement Test schedule.

For more information, see the American Language Program English Certification Test and the American Language Program.