Regardless of citizenship, all applicants whose native language is not English and who do not qualify for a waiver are required to submit proof of English Language Proficiency before an admissions decision can be made.
| Eligible English Proficiency Exam | Qualifying Undergraduate Score | Qualifying Graduate/Post-Bac Score |
|---|---|---|
| Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) | 61 ibt or higher | 80 ibt or higher TESOL program: 100 ibt or higher |
| International English Language Testing System (IELTS) | Band 5.5 or higher | Band 6.0 or higher TESOL program: Band 7.5 or higher |
| Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic | 44 or higher | 53 or higher |
Exam scores are only valid for two years after the test date. Official scores must be sent directly to the University by the respective testing agency.
To learn how to request an official test score report to be sent to Cal State LA, click on the exam name:
- TOEFL Test – Request report to be sent to Cal State LA using Institutional Code 4399.
Tests must be taken within the last two years. After two years, TOEFL scores are no longer valid. - IELTS – Send official PAPER (hard copy) report to California State University, Los Angeles.
Test Report Forms are valid for a recommended period of two years. - Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic – Send report to California State University, Los Angeles.
Score reports are valid and available online for two years.
English Language Proficiency Exam Waiver
The following criteria will be used to waive this examination requirement:
Freshman Applicants
- Completed at least 3 years of high school academic course work taught in English; either in the U.S. or in a country where English is the native language, or the only language of instruction at both the secondary and post-secondary levels.
The countries include Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Ascension, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Botswana, British Virgin Islands, Canada (except Quebec), Cayman Islands, Dominica, England, Eritrea, Fiji, Gambia, Ghana, Gibraltar, Grenada, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Kiribati, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Mauritius, Namibia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, Saint Helena, Saint Kitts & Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent & The Grenadines, Scotland, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Swaziland, Tanzania, Tonga, Trinidad & Tobago, Tuvalu, Uganda, Wales, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Transfer Applicants
- Completed at least 60 units of transferable college course work taught in English including the completion of the following transferable college-level general educations courses, with grades of 'C' or better:
- English Written Communication
- Oral Communication
- These can be completed either in the U.S. or in a country where English is the native language, or the only language of instruction at both the secondary and post-secondary levels.
The countries include Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Ascension, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Botswana, British Virgin Islands, Canada (except Quebec), Cayman Islands, Dominica, England, Eritrea, Fiji, Gambia, Ghana, Gibraltar, Grenada, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Kiribati, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Mauritius, Namibia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, Saint Helena, Saint Kitts & Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent & The Grenadines, Scotland, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Swaziland, Tanzania, Tonga, Trinidad & Tobago, Tuvalu, Uganda, Wales, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Graduate/Post-Baccalaureate Applicants
- Earned a bachelor's (or advanced) degree from:
- An accredited college/university in a country where English is the native language, or the only language of instruction at both the secondary and post-secondary levels.
The countries include Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Ascension, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Botswana, British Virgin Islands, Canada (except Quebec), Cayman Islands, Dominica, England, Eritrea, Fiji, Gambia, Ghana, Gibraltar, Grenada, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Kiribati, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Mauritius, Namibia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, Saint Helena, Saint Kitts & Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent & The Grenadines, Scotland, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Swaziland, Tanzania, Tonga, Trinidad & Tobago, Tuvalu, Uganda, United States of America (U.S.), Wales, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. - An accredited college/university where English is the only language of instruction.
- An accredited college/university in a country where English is the native language, or the only language of instruction at both the secondary and post-secondary levels.
