English Proficiency

English Proficiency - Undergraduate Int'l Admissions

Requirements: The University requires students for whom English is not the native language to take either the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or the Michigan English Laboratory Assessment Battery (MELAB).

TOEFL applications may be obtained from bi-national agencies, United States Information Service (USIS) offices, or from the Educational Testing Service (ETS).

The IELTS is jointly administered by Cambridge (ESOL), British Council and IDP Education Australia. The MELAB is a secure test battery, and is administered only by the ELI-UM and ELI-UM authorized official examiners in the US and Canada.

Undergraduate students must achieve a minimum TOEFL score of 173 (61 Internet-based test), a minimum IELTS score of 6.0 or a minimum MELAB score of 69. TOEFL, IELTS and MELAB scores are valid for two (2) years from test date. The University of Akron accepts only valid test scores.

Conditional admission is offered to students who are academically acceptable, but who have not yet obtained the level of English proficiency required for full admission. Students who meet these criteria may attend the University's English Language Institute (ELI). Students enrolled in the ELI may not enroll for undergraduate coursework at the same time. For further information regarding the ELI, you may contact:

English Language Institute,
The University of Akron, Olin Hall, Room 302
Akron, OH 44325-1909
USA

Phone: (330) 972-7544; Fax: (330) 972-7353
Email: ua-eli@uakron.edu
WWW: http://www.uakron.edu/eli

Applicants who have satisfactorily completed 9 months of full-time academic coursework at a U.S. college/university and are in good standing at that institution or international students who have graduated from an Ohio high school and passed all parts of the Ohio Graduation Test may have the English proficiency requirement waived upon written request to and final approval from the Office of International Programs.

Note: Students who do not meet the English Proficiency requirement are not eligible for the June Thomas Rogers International Student Scholarship.

English Proficiency Requirements - Graduate Int'l Admissions

International applicants, U.S. citizens, and Permanent Residents whose native language is not English must submit evidence that they have a sufficient level of English to undertake graduate studies at The University of Akron.

After submitting acceptable academic credentials and proof of English proficiency, applicants who are fully admitted may enroll in graduate course work and be eligible for University of Akron-funded assistantships, fellowships or scholarships. Prospective teaching assistants must also achieve a minimum score of 50 on the Test of Spoken English (TSE) or a passing score on the University of Akron Developed English Proficiency Test (the U-ADEPT), or a 23 or greater on the speaking component of the internet-based TOEFL. See http://www.ets.org/tse/  for information about the TSE. Visit http://www3.uakron.edu/eli/UADEPT/uadept.index.html  for details about UADEPT.

Applicants to graduate programs can demonstrate their English proficiency in one of these ways:

1. A minimum score of 550 on the paper-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or 213 on the computer-based TOEFL or 79 or higher on the internet-based TOEFL. (The following departments require a higher standard of proficiency: the Ph.D. program in Urban Studies and Public Affairs requires a TOEFL of 570/230; English and History require a TOEFL of 580/237; and Biomedical Engineering requires a TOEFL of 590/243.) Scores more than two years old will not be accepted. See http://www.toefl.org  for information about the TOEFL.
   
   or


2. A minimum score of 6.5 on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), which is managed by University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations, British Council, and IDP Education Australia. Scores more than two years old will not be accepted. See http://www.ielts.org/  for information about the IELTS.
   
   or


3. Successful completion of a full course of study in the Advanced Level of the English Language Institute (ELI) at The University of Akron. The ELI is an intensive (20 hour a week) program in English for academic purposes. The Advanced Level course of study is offered every fall, spring, and summer according to the university's academic calendar. For details about successful completion and about applying to the English Language Institute, see http://www.uakron.edu/eli.
   
   or


4. Successful completion of 24 credit hours of upper-level undergraduate or 18 credit hours of graduate course work at a U.S. university or college in which English is the primary language of instruction. Successful completion is defined as maintaining a 3.0 GPA in full-time, continuous studies. Applicants must submit original transcripts of their course work.
   
   or


5. Successful completion of an undergraduate or graduate program at a university outside the United States in which English is the language of administration and instruction. English must be used for all administrative functions and for all areas of instruction (with the exception of foreign language courses) including course lectures, materials, discussions, readings, and writing assignments.
   
   Applicants must submit an original official document from the undergraduate or graduate institution certifying that all of the administrative functions and instruction are conducted in English. The document must be signed by an officer of the institution and carry an official seal. The Associate Dean of the Graduate School at The University of Akron will review the submitted documentation and inform the applicant if he or she has satisfied the English requirement. The decision will be final.

For those wishing to pursue a teaching assistantship

Applicants whose native language is not English and who expect to become teaching assistants are also required to achieve a minimum score of 50 on the Test of Spoken English (TSE, Revised 1995), a minimum score of "Pass" on the U-ADEPT, or a 23 or greater on the speaking component of the internet-based TOEFL.

This exam must be taken prior to functioning as a teaching assistant.

Those for whom English is the native language and who expect to become a teaching assistant must demonstrate proficiency in English through departmental certification. Neither English proficiency testing nor departmental certification is required for research or administrative assistants.

See the admission requirements for the English Language Institute’s

• English for Academic Purposes Program
• Community and Corporate ESL Program