Admission Requirements

Applicants must evidence an extensive record of accomplishments and increasing responsibility in their professional roles.  If applicants are not already in leadership positions, they must be positioned to enter leadership positions as next steps in their careers.  Applicants are often leaders in the communications industry or related field, yet professionals across multiple fields and industry sectors that can articulate and demonstrate how strategic communications is a critical core competency for their targeted career trajectory are encouraged to apply.

Applicants must:

• Hold at least a bachelor's degree or its equivalent
• Have a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or better
• Be able to demonstrate the ability for critical thinking and analysis
• Be fluent in English
• Write clearly, concisely, and convincingly, using proper grammar

Note: Applicants whose native language is not English or have not completed their undergraduate studies at an accredited US college or university are required to demonstrate proficiency in the English language by submitting official scores either from the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System).

We strongly recommend submitting unofficial copies of your test results through the online application system at the time of application.  The Office of Admissions will use unofficial copies of test scores for admission consideration.  Candidates offered admission will later be required to supply official test results prior to enrollment.  At that time, official scores must be sent directly from either TOEFL or IELTS and are only valid for two years.  (Use school code 2594 to report TOEFL scores.)

Applicants taking the TOEFL must have a score of at least 100 on the Internet-based version (600 paper based).  Applicants taking the IELTS must receive a score of 7.0 or higher.

Graduates of Columbia's American Language Program (ALP), must achieve Level 10 in order to apply to a program at the School of Continuing Education.  Applicants who have achieved Level 10 are NOT required to take the TOEFL or IELTS.

Application Materials

1. Completed Online Application form.

2. $80.00 nonrefundable application fee (U.S. currency) must accompany the online application.

3. Transcripts from all post-secondary schools attended. The rules and requirements for providing documentation for domestic vs. international transcripts are outlined below:

   Domestic Transcripts
   from institutions in the U.S. or Canada

   If your transcripts are from an institution in the U.S. or Canada, we strongly recommend submitting unofficial documents through the online application system at the time of application. Candidates offered admission will later be required to supply official documents prior to enrollment for verification before the offer is considered official.

   For those applicants who are offered admission, official transcripts must arrive in envelopes sealed by the issuing institutions certifying conferral of a bachelor's degree. Copies, opened or unsealed envelopes, unofficial printouts, or facsimiles will not be accepted. Many schools take a number of weeks to fulfill transcript requests; please plan accordingly. The Admissions Committee reserves the right to withdraw any offer of admission already made if there is a discrepancy between the self-reported transcript and the official transcript.

   International Transcripts
   from institutions outside the U.S. or Canada

   If your post-secondary credentials are from an institution outside the U.S. or Canada, the Office of Admission requires you to submit all post-secondary credentials (undergraduate and graduate) to World Education Services, Inc. (WES), a third party verification agency for a course-by-course evaluation.

   Instructions for using WES

   WES must complete a course-by-course evaluation of all post-secondary credentials. Please select the WES basic course-by-course evaluation (with GPA and course-levels) and request to have WES send your evaluation to Columbia University School of Continuing Education. The school can be found by searching Columbia University and then selecting School of Continuing Education. The evaluation provided to the School of Continuing Education becomes an official academic record and sole property of the School of Continuing Education upon its receipt.

   WES evaluations will be reviewed by the School of Continuing Education administrators and the determination of degree equivalency to U.S. degrees is at the discretion of the School of Continuing Education.

4. Résumé

5. At least two letters of recommendation, either from current or former supervisors or from faculty members with whom you studied. The letters should address your ability to think critically, to analyze and organize complex information, and to write fluently.

6. Statement of academic purpose (no more than 750 words) addressing the following:

   • your purpose and interest in pursuing a degree in strategic communications
   • the specific skills and attributes that you will contribute to the program
   • an aspect of the program that may present the greatest challenge for you

7. An admissions interview may be required.

8. Non-native speakers of English must fulfill additional application requirements.

Candidates are evaluated on five application elements:

1. statement of purpose
2. résumé/curriculum vitae
3. transcripts of prior college and/or graduate school work
4. letters of recommendation
5. GRE scores, if submitted

Official scores on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) general test may be submitted in support of your application.

For complete information about the GRE go to www.ets.org. GRE school report code: 3602.

Writing Test

Applicants who do not submit GRE scores may be required to take a Graduate Writing Test at Columbia. Those applicants who are admitted may, as a result of their scores on that test, be required to take a writing course for M.S. students during their first semester.

Submitting the Application

1. Applicants are encouraged to submit all supporting application materials through the online application system.  Unofficial documents will be used for admission consideration.

2. Applications are not considered complete until all required materials listed in the Application Materials section above have been received. Only complete applications will be reviewed.

3. Applicants who are admitted to the program must submit all official documents to  the Office of Admissions before the offer is considered official.

4. All submitted materials should clearly bear the applicant's name and the name of the program to which he or she is applying.

Mailing Address and Contact Information

Strategic Communications Program
Office of Admissions
School of Continuing Education
203 Lewisohn Hall
2970 Broadway, Mail Code 4119
New York, NY 10027-6902
212-854-9666
Office hours: Monday-Thursday, 9:00 AM-6:00 PM; Friday, 9:00 AM-5:00 PM