English Proficiency Requirements

Lewis & Clark encourages applications from all international students.  Applicants who are native English speakers are not required to submit proof of English proficiency.  Instead, they should submit standardized test scores (SAT or ACT) or apply via the Portfolio Path. 

All other international students must submit proof of English proficiency.  The chart below includes accepted tests and minimum scores.  Admitted students who do not meet the minimum scores listed below will begin their undergraduate studies in Academic English Studies (AES), our English as a Second Language (ESL) program.

Students applying to the undergraduate program may prove their English proficiency in one of two ways:

(1) submit standardized English language test scores that meet the requirements listed below (see chart);

(2) earn a grade of “B” or higher in each of their courses at Level 3 of the Academic English Studies (AES) program before enrolling in other College of Arts and Sciences courses.  In Levels 4 and 5, students will enroll in a combination of AES courses and other CAS courses, to be determined by their AES academic adviser and depending on their proficiency.  ***Up to 24 credits of AES courses may count towards the 128 credits needed for an undergraduate degree.***

 

Accepted Tests	Minimum Score To study without ESL restrictions, students must obtain:
TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)	575+ on paper version; 232+ on computer version; 91+ on iBT.
ELPT (English Language Proficiency Test)	960+
MELAB (Michigan English Language Assessment Battery)	82+
ECPE (Examination for the Certificate of Proficiency in English)	Pass
FCE* (First Certificate in English, Level 3)	A
CAE* (Certificate in Advanced English, Level 4)	A
CPE* (Certificate of Proficiency in English, Level 5)	A
IELTS (International English Language Testing System)	7.0+
IB English A (higher or standard)	predicted 5 or higher. (IB English B does NOT qualify).
STEP Eiken (Society for Testing English Proficiency)	1
SAT / Critical Reading	630

* Tests administered by the University of Cambridge Local Examination Syndicate