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English Proficiency Requirement

Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to establish English proficiency standards for applicants to Columbia College whose native language is not English.

Scope

This policy applies to all Columbia College applicants whose native language is not English.

Policy

All applicants whose native language is not English (regardless of citizenship) as provided on their application must provide proof of English proficiency. F1 visa applicants, regardless if English is their native language as listed on the application, must provide proof of English proficiency. Appropriate scores from the following exams demonstrate English language proficiency for admission review:

Test Type1 Institutional Code Standard Undergraduate Admission  Standard Graduate Program Admission 
TOEFL-iBT1 (internet-based test) 6095 Score of 722 or higher (with no subset score lower than 16) Score of 802 or higher (with no subset score lower than 20)
TOEFL-PBT1 (paper-based test) 6095 Score of 530 or higher (with no subset score lower than 53) Score of 550 or higher (with no subset score lower than 55)
International English Language Testing System (IELTS)1 - Score of 6.0 or higher (with no individual band score lower than 5.5) Score of 6.5 or higher (with no individual band score lower than 6.0)
International Test of English Proficiency1 (iTEP Academic) - Score of 3.7 or higher (with no subset level lower than 2.5) Score of 3.9 or higher (with no subset level lower than 3.0)
Duolingo English Test1 (DET) - Score of 95 or higher Score of 105 or higher
Pearson Test of English1 (PTE Academic) - Score of 50 or higher (with no subset score lower than 30) Score of 58 or higher (with no subset score lower than 40)
English3 Proficiency Test (E3PT) -  Score of 60 or higher (with no subset score lower than 14)  Score of 67 or higher (with no subset score lower than 18)
SAT 6095 Critical Reading subset score of 430 or higher -
ACT 2276 Subset score of 17 or higher in English -

1 Submitted results cannot be older than two years prior to the desired enrollment date.

2 Includes MyBest Scores, which is the sum of the highest section scores form all valid test dates for a super score.

Columbia College will also consider the following evidence of English language proficiency for applicants:

  • A grade of C or higher from an English composition course completed at a regionally-accredited U.S. institution and deemed equivalent by the Office of the Registrar to the Columbia College ENGL 111 course.
  • A score of 50 (Minimum score subject to change based on recommendations by the America Council on Education) or higher for CLEP of an English composition course as deemed equivalent by the Office of the Registrar to the Columbia College ENGL 111 course.
  • A score of 400 (Minimum score subject to change based on recommendations by the America Council on Education) or higher for DSST of an English composition course as deemed equivalent by the Office of the Registrar to the Columbia College ENGL 111 course.
  • Successful completion of high school in the United States from an accredited institution.
  • Successful completion of an English language GED or HiSET exam.
  • Successful completion of a bachelor’s or master’s degree in the United States from an accredited institution.
  • Serving as an active duty, reserve or National Guard military member in any branch of the US armed forces (Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Air Force, Army, or Navy). Veterans who have served honorably on active duty in the armed forces are also included in this provision.
  • Successful completion of specified programs with approved partnerships.
  • Readmission to Columbia College, who have previously met English Proficiency requirements.

Applicants from Australia, Canada (English speaking provinces), Ireland, Malta, New Zealand and the United Kingdom are not required to provide proof of English proficiency for admission review.

Please note that credentials are reviewed carefully to confirm that applicants have the requisite English language proficiency to succeed academically at Columbia College. Therefore, the Recruiting & Admissions Division reserves the right to require additional documentation to verify English language proficiency. The College reserves the right to deny admission to any applicant and to deny and/or rescind admission to any applicant who provides false or misleading information to the College.

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