English Proficiency Requirements

Undergraduate English language students take no more than 15 credits their first semester to ensure successful university transition. Requests for more credits to be taken can be submitted to the English Language Director at bonnie.vidrine-isbell@biola.edu.

Graduate Admissions

International (F-1) Applicants: Must satisfy one of the following requirements for proof of English proficiency:

1. Minimum test score on a qualifying standardized test approved by the Director of English Language. 

The language exam score requirements are as follows:

Graduate Academic Programs:

• TOEFL (iBT) 90+ and IELTS 7 and DUOLINGO 125
• TOEFL (iBT) 100+ and IELTS 7.5 and DUOLINGO 125
• See chart below for Graduate program-specific requirements.

2. A degree (bachelor's, master's, or doctoral) issued by an institution where English is the medium of instruction. On-campus residence during the degree program is required. Regional accreditation is required from U.S. institutions, or a recognized baccalaureate degree equivalent earned outside the U.S. To verify that English is the sole medium of instruction, one of the following forms of documentation is required for institutions outside of the United States:

• Official written communication from the institution (Registrar, Controller of Examinations Office, or Undergraduate College)
• Official degree statements or transcripts may be accepted given English is stated as the medium of instruction
• Official catalog verification

For universities from non-Anglophone countries, Academic English language courses will be required unless a test score is submitted. 

3. An updated TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo score may be used at the end of the term to test out of Graduate English language coursework.

To be considered for admission, international (F-1) applicants whose first language is not English must submit English proficiency scores that meet the minimum requirement. At the applicant's request, official TOEFL, or IELTS, or Duolingo (or other approved test) test scores must be sent by the testing agency directly to Biola. For more details on how, when, and where to take language tests, visit online:

• TOEFL (iBT)
• IELTS
• DUOLINGO

Language tests are administered only at specific times, so candidates for admission should inquire about testing dates well in advance of the date of anticipated school term in the U.S.

The English Language Director finalizes and approves all placement decisions for all students who need language proficiency placement (see above). Cambridge English Proficiency and Pearson English Language tests may also be considered.

Consultation will occur with graduate committees when appropriate. In certain cases, the program may require a locally administered English language placement exam. Placement decisions may be appealed and revised based on new official TOEFL/IELTS/DUOLINGO scores. Appeal cases will be considered at the ELP Director's discretion. 
 
Faculty recommendations or student requests may lead to additional on-campus evaluation and affect course placement.

Graduate English Language Scholars

Biola’s Graduate English Scholar are a group of students who work together to professionalize their English. These students take academic English courses at the highest level to refine their language for dissertation writing, conference presentations, publication, teaching K-12, or sermon delivery. For more information, see the Biola English Language website.
 
Graduate English language courses also satisfy the English Language Proficiency requirement for graduate students. New students entering Biola without a qualifying test score will be required to take an English language proficiency screening test for placement before registering for graduate English language classes. Results of the screening will require between 1-3 language courses. An extra fee is charged for each course in addition to regular tuition at the graduate level. The cost per credit for a language course is $596.
 
See chart below for Graduate program-specific requirements.

Language Exam Score Requirement According to Degree Type