UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH POLICY 09-02-01

CATEGORY:         STUDENT AFFAIRS
SECTION:          Admissions
SUBJECT:          Assessment of English Language Proficiency for Admission
EFFECTIVE DATE:   October 1, 2005 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), 550 on the 
            PBT (Paper-based test), or 213 on the CBT (Computer-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.

      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, 250 on the CBT, 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, 250 on 
      the CBT, 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