Application Requirements

Apply here.

Fee payment must accompany the online application.

In the Academic History section of the online application, you must list and upload unofficial transcripts for all post-secondary institutions where you obtained (or are obtaining) a degree. The transcript should include all completed and in progress coursework, summer program(s), study abroad program(s), or transfer coursework at the time that you are applying unless:

• You did not earn academic credits; 
• You completed 11 credits or less (on a traditional US credit scale) outside of your home institution. If you completed more than 11 credits outside of your home institution, then you must provide us with unofficial transcripts/ the coursework must be included on your WES evaluation.

If requested, you may be required to provide transcripts or mark sheets from any and all post-secondary institutions.

Applicants who attended a U.S. institution:

You must submit unofficial transcripts for each institution attended where you completed academic study. 

Note: Unofficial transcripts must include your name, the name of the institution, each of the terms attended, the courses you took and the grades you obtained. 

Applicants who attended an international institution:

You must submit an official ICAP course-by-course evaluation* by World Education Services, Inc. (WES), a third-party verification agency, if the following are true: 

• You earned (or are earning) a degree at an institution accredited outside of the United States; 

AND/OR 

• You completed 31 or more post-secondary credits (31 or more US Semester Hours) at an institution accredited outside of the United States. 

Please note that the WES fulfills the requirement for the Official Transcript.

*This is required for your application to be reviewed. 
 

* Please note that if you completed 30 credits or less abroad, instead of submitting a WES evaluation, you may submit an unofficial transcript for admissions consideration. If admitted, you must order an official transcript to be sent to SPS directly from the institution abroad. 

Your statement of academic purpose (500–750 words) should clearly and concisely address the following:

• Your purpose and interest in pursuing the program
• How the program fits into your overall professional and/or personal goals, focusing on the connection between the program and your academic, professional and/or personal experience
• A brief discussion of a particular bioethical issue of interest to you

Please upload your résumé or CV. Please be sure to include all relevant work experience, professional organizations, or activities that would be relevant to evaluating your candidacy for admission. References may be required.

After you have submitted your application and fee, you will be required to submit a 1-minute video essay. You will be given time to create test videos to ensure that your system is working properly. When you are ready, you will be given a randomly selected prompt for which you will have one minute to prepare and one minute to record a response. You will not be able to re-record your video. Please note that the video essay response should be your own thoughts and should not be rehearsed or prepared beforehand.

If your first and native language* is not English, you must provide official scores on the TOEFL or IELTS Academic unless both of the following are true:

• the language of instruction of your undergraduate degree conferring institution is English, and
• you completed your entire undergraduate degree in English.

*Your first and native language is the language that you learned first or speak best.

Applicant total scores must meet the Columbia SPS minimum requirement of 100 (TOEFL iBT) or 7.0 (IELTS Academic) to be admissible. You will be required to enter your test scores or your anticipated testing date within the online application, and official test score reports will be required for your application to be considered complete and ready for admission review. TOEFL and IELTS Academic scores are valid for two years after your test date. Applicants receiving scores below the posted minimums may be advised to apply directly to the American Language Program. 

• To submit TOEFL iBT scores: Visit www.ets.org and send your official score to our school code 2594. Please note: we do not accept TOEFL best scores.
• To submit IELTS scores: Please include your TRF number on the English Language Requirements section of the application. Alternatively, you can also send us your official score through your testing center.

Applicants whose primary language is not English may be required to complete an intensive course with the American Language Program (ALP) prior to beginning their studies in the degree program as a condition for admission.

Applicants may also be asked to complete an interview using a video conferencing tool.