What are the EPIK Program Requirements?

If you’re considering your options for teaching English abroad in South Korea, you’ve likely heard about the EPIK Program. EPIK stands for “English Program in Korea” and is sponsored by the Korean Ministry of Education. The goal of the EPIK program is to improve the English-speaking abilities of Korean students and teachers, developing cultural exchanges between Korea and abroad. With these goals in mind, the EPIK Program seeks qualified, enthusiastic native English speakers to share their knowledge and passion in the Korean public school system and country.

Read more: What is the EPIK Program for Teaching in Korea?

There are several requirements you need to satisfy before being able to apply for the EPIK Program. Let's look at them in detail:

What are the Requirements for EPIK?

To teach English in South Korea through the EPIK program, you will need a Bachelor's degree or above from an accredited college or university, a clean criminal background check, and to meet all visa requirements for an E-2 or F-4 visa. To see a complete list of all EPIK Program requirements, continue reading...

EPIK Requirements

• BA Degree or above (from an accredited college or University)
• Native English speaker with citizenship from either Canada, USA, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, UK, or Ireland) 
• Clean Criminal Background Check (CRC)
• Meet all visa requirements for an E-2 or F-4 visa
• TEFL/TESOL/CELTA Certificate, BA or MA in Education, or a teaching license. Teachers with 20+ hours of in-person practicum are preferred
• NOTE: Applicants with an interest in teaching English in Busan must have 50+ hours of in-person practicum hours with his/her TEFL course

With competitive salaries and great benefits like healthcare, paid vacation, flight reimbursement, and provided housing, the EPIK program offers some of the best teaching positions in the country.

That said, the program seems to grow more popular & more competitive with each passing year. Having a backup plan is recommended, and South Korea offers many opportunities to teach at private language centers and "Hagwons".

How to prepare for applying to the EPIK Program

The application process can be a bit extensive, so make sure to be aware of what is required for the EPIK application and check for updates. Also, EPIK teachers begin their teaching assignments in Korea in either September or March. Applications must be submitted between February and July for the September start date and between August and January for the March start date.

What is the fastest way to get TEFL certified in time for the next EPIK intake period?

To qualify for the EPIK (English Program in Korea) program, you must complete an accredited TEFL certification with at least 100 hours of coursework and a 20-hour practicum (live teaching practice) before the final document submission. So self-paced TEFL classes that you can wrap up in a weekend, or even in a week or two online, aren't going to cut it.

The most efficient path to meet the upcoming deadlines—Spring (February start) or Fall (August start)—is a 4-week intensive program, either online or in-person.

What to Look for in a Fast-Track TEFL Course for EPIK

• Speed: Complete 180 hours of university-level training in exactly 4 weeks. 

• Practicum: Includes at least 10 hours of live practice teaching, aligning with the live instruction requirements commonly preferred by South Korean offices of education and EPIK applications. 

• Accreditation: Provides Level 5 Ofqual (British Government) accreditation, the highest standard for TEFL, ensuring your application is not rejected for lack of "professional rigor." 

• Support:  Includes lifetime job search guidance specifically for the South Korean market.
  

A course like International TEFL Academy's (ITA) 4-Week Intensive Online Course is specifically structured to satisfy these rigorous standards in the shortest possible timeframe for EPIK applicants.

Comparison: Intensive vs. Self-Paced Courses

Though there are many self-paced online courses to choose from, many often lack the levels of live instruction, structured feedback from qualified instructors, and monitored practice teaching required for competitive EPIK placements. Some providers may claim their course is four weeks, but in actuality, it's only a possibility that you could finish their self-paced course in four weeks (which we don't recommend as the best way to prepare for teaching English abroad).

The ITA Intensive course operates on a full-time schedule (6–8 hours/day), and is limited to 15 students taught by two university instructors, ensuring a highly interactive and engaging learning experience that will prepare you for the rigors of teaching through the EPIK Program and other overseas teaching jobs. 

Read More: EPIK application