English Proficiency Requirements

Students whose native language is not English must demonstrate or gain English proficiency in order to study at Azusa Pacific University. There are several ways to demonstrate and fulfill the English proficiency requirement:

1. Prior studies in English

Students can demonstrate English proficiency by verifying that their prior studies (secondary or postsecondary school) were conducted in English. Students must verify all of the following:

  • Completed at least 48 academic semester units without ESL support/classes.
  • Studies in English ended no more than two years before applying to APU.
  • The language of instruction was English.

To verify these points, students must provide academic transcripts along with an official letter from the institution where they studied stating that the language of instruction was English.

2. English testing by one of the following two options:

A. International standardized English tests (TOEFL and IELTS)

Students can demonstrate English proficiency by submitting a TOEFL or IELTS score report that meets or exceeds the requirements listed below. The university considers the component scores for admissions.

IELTS

  Total (Top Score: 9)
Conditional1 5.5
Undergraduate 6.0
Graduate 7
Doctorate 8

TOEFL

Listening (Top Score: 30) Reading (Top Score: 30) Writing (Top Score: 30) Speaking (Top Score: 30)
Conditional1 16 16 18 15
Undergraduate 20 20 22 18
Graduate 22 22 24 22
Doctorate 25 25 25 25
1

Note that even with a high enough total score, you may be required to take an English training program or TESL 100 depending on subset scores or other indicators in your applications. TESL 100 is a university-level course that provides additional support to meet the English proficiency requirement, and it counts toward graduation requirements. In addition, you can take more academic units along with TESL 100.

Scores IELTS: 5.5
TOEFL Speaking: 15-17 Corresponding English Course: TESL 100
TOEFL Listening: 16-19
Scores IELTS: 5.5
TOEFL Reading: 16-19 Corresponding English Course: TESL 100
TOEFL Writing: 18-21

B. APU English placement test

Students can also demonstrate English proficiency by taking an English Placement Test (EPT) through APU's Academic Success Center. Contact the APU Testing Center at (626) 815-3849 or testingcenter@apu.edu for schedules, fees, and locations for this test.