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 attended for at least one term. This includes all graded coursework, in progress coursework, summer program(s), study abroad program(s), or transfer coursework unless:
- You did not earn academic credits;
- You completed less than 11 credits (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 must submit:
- Unofficial transcripts for each institution attended.
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 must submit:
- An official ICAP course-by-course evaluation* by World Education Services, Inc. (WES), a third-party verification agency, that includes all post-secondary coursework completed outside of the United States. This is required for your application to be reviewed. The evaluation may take several weeks to be completed and sent to SPS. You should start your evaluation as soon as possible after you begin your application.
Applications will not be reviewed until we have received all of your transcripts and/or WES evaluations.
* Please note that if you completed 18 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.
The statement of academic purpose should address the following:
- Your purpose and interest in pursuing a Certification of Professional Achievement in Narrative Medicine
- How the certification program fits into your overall professional growth, focusing in particular on the connection between the program and your academic and/or professional experience
- What skills, knowledge, and experience you hope to learn from the coursework, faculty and peers in the program
- Your anticipated contribution to the program
- Your anticipated contribution to professional field
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.
If your first or 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
- and you completed your entire undergraduate degree in English.
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.