1.      Admission of Students with Non-U.S. Academic Credentials / Admission of Students Whose First Language is not English

Freshman Students

Freshman international students may be considered for admission in any category or in this special category. International freshman students may also be admitted as Presidential Exceptions.

Students who are non-native speakers of English and whose secondary education was completed outside the United States system of education may be admitted with a) acceptable foreign credentials and b) English language proficiency as described below:

A.      Foreign Credentials Academic performance as described by a certificate, diploma, or other document deemed generally equivalent to a U.S. required high school curriculum by a reputable credential evaluator (internal or external to the institution).

B.       English Language Proficiency Requirements

The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or some other System-approved evaluation of English proficiency. SAT or ACT scores may be used in place of an approved English proficiency test.

Non-native speakers of English who meet minimum SAT Verbal/Critical Reading or ACT English admissions requirements are not required to submit additional English Proficiency documentation.

The minimum TOEFL score acceptable for admission is

§                                                                                 523 on the paper TOEFL, or

§                                                                                 193 on the computer TOEFL, or

§                                                                                 69 on the internet TOEFL.

The recommended TOEFL score is

§                                                                                 550 on the paper TOEFL, or

§                                                                                 213 on the computer TOEFL, or

§                                                                                 79 on the internet TOEFL.

The minimum IELTS score acceptable for admission is 6.

The recommended IELTS score is 6.5.

The minimum SAT or ACT score acceptable for admission is

§                                                                                 430 SAT Verbal/Critical Reading

§                                                                                 17 ACT English

Institutions and departmental programs within the institution may set higher minimum TOEFL scores for admission. Institutions may develop procedures to determine whether there is a need for placement in Learning Support reading and English and/or ESL courses for students who meet the minimum English Proficiency requirements.

Math admissions criteria, including the SAT or ACT, and placement criteria is required for international students.

An academically admissible applicant with credentials from another country who needs supplemental English language instruction (as indicated by an approved method for determining English Proficiency described above) may be admitted to a degree program on the condition that the student will receive the supplemental English language instruction in a System-approved program. This conditional admission is possible only at those institutions approved to provide English language instruction for non-native speakers of English. Programs of English-as-a Second Language used under this provision must be approved by the Chief Academic Officer & Executive Vice Chancellor.

English Proficiency and Transfer Students:

Students who are non-native speakers of English, who transfer from an institution of higher education outside the US where English was not the language of instruction, are required to submit a TOEFL or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score or some other recognized evaluation of English along with their foreign credentials.

The minimum TOEFL score acceptable for admission is

§                                                                                 523 on the paper TOEFL, or

§                                                                                 193 on the computer TOEFL, or

§                                                                                 69 on the internet TOEFL.

The recommended TOEFL score is

§                                                                                 550 on the paper TOEFL, or

§                                                                                 213 on the computer TOEFL, or

§                                                                                 79 on the internet TOEFL.

The minimum IELTS score acceptable for admission is 6.

The recommended IELTS score is 6.5.

Institutions and departmental programs within the institution may set higher minimum TOEFL scores for admission.

Students who are non-native speakers of English and who are transferring from an accredited institution of higher education inside the U.S., may be required to retake the TOEFL if their English proficiency cannot be demonstrated to the satisfaction of the admitting institution.

U.S. Immigration Regulations

Federal regulations place significant responsibilities on students and universities in the administration of the U.S. laws pertaining to F-1 or J-1 non-immigrant students. Institutions are required to follow certain record–keeping and reporting requirements of the U.S. government.

Institutions enrolling international students are required to determine the academic admissibility and the financial resources of applicants prior to the issuance of the immigration document I-20 A-B or IAP-66.

Only a Designated School Official appointed by the institution's president and registered with the U. S. Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) may sign forms I-20 A-B, I-538, and other F-1 student immigration-related documents.

Only a Responsible Officer or Alternate Responsible Officer approved by the U.S. Department of State may sign forms IAP-66.