UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH POLICY 09-02-01

CATEGORY:             STUDENT AFFAIRS
SECTION:                  Admissions
SUBJECT:                 Assessment of English Language Proficiency for Admission
EFFECTIVE DATE:   March 25, 2010 Revised
PAGE(S):                    2

I.    SCOPE

      This policy establishes English language proficiency requirements for admission of

      international students to the University of Pittsburgh, and the responsibility of the

      University to determine that international student applicants possess a level of

      proficiency in English necessary to succeed academically.  The University is

      responsible for certifying to the U.S. Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services

      that this determination has been made, in accordance with U.S. immigration laws, for
      students requiring visa documents.

II.   POLICY

      Admission

      All academic centers, departments, or offices making admission decisions regarding

      international students are responsible for determining, as part of the admission process,

      that the applicant has the required proficiency in English to successfully undertake the

      proposed course of study and for notifying the Office of International Services (OIS) of
      the determination by completing an Assessment of English Language Proficiency for

      each admitted student.  Applicants who do not meet the required standards may not be

      offered admission.  The assessment that the applicant has the required proficiency

      may be based on the following:

      -     The applicant is a citizen of a country whose official language is English.

      -     A minimum result of 80 on the iBT (Internet-based test) or 550 on the PBT (Paper-

            based test) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).

      -     A minimum result of Band 6.5 on the International English Language Testing

            System (IELTS).

      -     Completion of a degree program at a regionally accredited institution in the U.S.

      -     The applicant is not a citizen of a country whose official language is English but has

            completed a degree program at an institution outside of the U.S. where the language

            of instruction is English and where the official national language of the country in

            which the institution is located is English.

      Only original official test scores received directly from test administration agencies are

      accepted.  Copies of test results are not acceptable.

      Academic centers and departments may require a higher level of English language

      proficiency based on the specific needs of the discipline, and are responsible for

      determining that applicants have such proficiency.

      Exceptions: Any exceptions to the policy must be approved by the Provost or Provost’s

      delegate after review of the entire record and consultation with the Office of

      International Services.

      Upon receipt of an Assessment of English Language Proficiency with the signature of

      the admissions officer, OIS will certify to the U.S. Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration

      Services, as part of the certification of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Visa

      (Form I-20) or for Exchange-Visitor Visa (Form DS-2019), that the student has the

      required level of English language proficiency.  See Procedure 09-02-01, Assessment

      of English Language Proficiency for Admission.

      Registration

      Prior to completion of registration, students with TOEFL scores of less than 100 on

      the iBT, 600 on the PBT, or less than Band 7.0 on the IELTS must take an additional

      test of English language proficiency administered by the English Language Institute (ELI).

      International students who are citizens of countries where English is the official

      language, international students who have completed degrees at regionally accredited

      institutions in the U.S., and international students who have results on the TOEFL

      above 100 on the iBT, 600 on the PBT, or Band 7.0 on the IELTS, may be exempted

      from taking the additional test of English language proficiency by individual schools or

      departments.

      International students may be required by their academic department or school to

      complete all remedial work recommended by ELI on the basis of the additional test of

      English language proficiency.

III.  REFERENCE

      Procedure 09-02-01, Assessment of English Language Proficiency for Admission