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
International standardized English tests (TOEFL, IELTS, and Duolingo)
Students can demonstrate English proficiency by submitting a TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo score report that meets or exceeds the requirements listed below. The university considers the component scores for admissions.
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 |
IELTS
| Total (Top Score: 9) | |
|---|---|
| Conditional1 | 5.5 |
| Undergraduate | 6.0 |
| Graduate | 7 |
| Doctorate | 8 |
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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 |
Duolingo
| Student Level | Score |
| Undergraduate | 115 |
| Graduate | 130 |
| Doctoral | 130 |