FAQs
Please note that this is not a certification program. The certificate program is a non-degree, fast-track program. Attending this program does not certify participants for teaching in public K-12 schools in the U.S. unless they are able to gain "temporary" or "emergency" certification. However, graduates from this program are eligible to teach in Independent K-12 School settings. Those who are interested in pursuing an MA degree may subsequently apply to the Bilingual Education Program or the TESOL Program (K-12 Certification Track) at Teachers College if they wish to receive New York State certification or otherwise to the Applied Linguistics Program or the TESOL Program (General Track).
- Graduates from the TCSOL (Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages) Certificate Program can transfer the equivalent of six credits into their subsequent study in the Master's program of Applied Linguistics or Bilingual Education at Teachers College, should they be subsequently accepted into either program.
- Students concurrently enrolled in the TCSOL Certificate Program and in TC TESOL, Applied Linguistics, or Bilingual/Bicultural Education master’s programs are also assured successful transfer of six credits. Students are required to complete the necessary steps outlined by their master’s program advisor in order to ensure the transfer of credits into their degree program.
- Students concurrently enrolled in the TCSOL Certificate Program and in a TC master’s program not outlined above may be able to transfer up to six credits into their program by permission of their master’s program advisor.
Unfortunately, no.
If you successfully complete the program of study, you will receive a certificate from Teachers College, Columbia University. For more information, please visit the program policy.
This is a full-time program, although the courses run on weekends.
Absolutely. International students must apply early in order to allow sufficient time for obtaining an entry visa, should they be accepted. The Program sponsors J-1 only. Click here for relevant information.
No, we only accept students for the Fall semester. By registering for the program, you are expected to participate for the full academic year.
For the upcoming year, the program will run primarily in-person at the college. However, an alternative, asynchronous online option will also be available for attendance.
You should provide the code for whichever school you are currently in and have the report sent to you there, which you can then submit to us as part of your application.
Preferably, your score report is not more than three years old. Otherwise, please email the Center.
For English proficiency scores, you can submit reports from any one of the following tests: TOEFL, IELTS, TOEIC, or Duolingo.
For Chinese proficiency scores, the primary test accepted is the HSK. If you have any additional tests (e.g., TOCFL), please email the program to confirm their relevance.
For non-native speakers of English, please look here for the necessary scores. For non-native Chinese speakers, an HSK score of 5 or 6 is necessary for understanding Chinese content in the classes, though lectures will be held in English.
The main difference between the TCSOL Certificate Program in New York (TCSOL program) and the TCSOL/TESOL Dual Certificate Summer Program (Summer Program) is that the TCSOL program covers more comprehensive materials on TCSOL on a much deeper level of instruction. Also, the TCSOL program provides a Practicum as part of the program, whereas the Summer program does not. Many view the Summer program as a stepping stone for the TCSOL program and transfer to it upon completion of the Summer program as the tuition of the Summer program can be used towards the tuition of the TCSOL program.
Yes. Students can apply for one of two options for participating in the program: Either (1) in-person at Teachers College, Columbia University in New York City, or (2) ASYNCHRONOUS online attendance. NOTE: It is NOT POSSIBLE to alternate between taking classes in person and online once a choice of modality has been made at the start of the program.
While on-campus housing is currently not available, you might want to check out the following resources: