International Student Services
English Proficiency Requirement
International student applicants must provide proof of English language proficiency as part of the application process.
Information about our credit level English as a Second Language (ESL) courses is also listed below. Enrollment in credit level ESL courses requires some basic English proficiency.
Proof of Proficiency
LAPC accepts the following exams listed below. Submit an official score report to the college. Some reports must be sent directly from the testing agency while others can uploaded with your application supplemental documents.
| Exam Information | Minimum Score Required |
|---|---|
|
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) Request your electronic score report be sent to Los Angeles Pierce College. The DI code for LAPC is 4398. |
45 iBT or 5.5 Essentials |
| International English Language Testing System (IELTS) | 4.5 |
|
Request your electronic score report be sent to Los Angeles Pierce College |
75 |
|
Pearson English Language Test | PTE Academic Request your electronic score report be sent to Los Angeles Pierce College |
39 |
| International Test of English Proficiency (iTEP) | 3.2 Undergrad |
| LanguageCert Academic | 50 |
|
Use this DISCOUNT CODE to claim a 25% discount- LAPCKRS25 |
B1 |
| Cambridge English Qualification | B2 |
| Cambridge International AS & A Levels | A-level placement |
| Eiken Test in Practical English Proficiency (STEP Eiken) | 2A |
| GTEC (Japan) | 946 |
If English is your native language, or if you attended two or more years of secondary school or higher where English was the primary language of instruction, submit your official school transcripts as proof of English language proficiency.
If you completed college level English Composition at a U.S. regionally accredited college or university with a minimum "C" grade, you may submit your transcripts as proof of English proficiency.
LAPC has partnerships with language schools in the U.S. The college accepts completion of approved English as a Second Language (ESL) courses as proof of English proficiency. Contact our office for more information about conditional admission via language school partnerships.
If you completed an approved ESL course, submit your official transcript from the language school. The approved courses are listed below.
| Language School | Minimum Level Required |
|---|---|
| American English College | 6 |
| AOI College of Languages | 6 |
| California Language Academy | 5 |
| California State University, Northridge (CSUN) Intensive English Program |
3 Advanced |
| ELS Academic English Programs | 109 |
| English Language Center (ELC) | 600A |
| Just English | 4 |
| Kaplan | Higher Intermediate |
| Language Systems International College of English | 6 |
| Mentor Language Institute (MLI) | Higher Intermediate (Track 2) |
| Poly Languages Institute | 6 |
| USC International Academy Intensive English Program: | 5 |
Credit Level ESL Classes
International students are eligible to enroll in credit level English as a Second Language (ESL) courses at LAPC. These courses count for unit credit and prepare the student for academic reading and writing. The advanced level ESL courses are accepted for transfer credit by many U.S. universities.
Enrolling in credit level ESL classes requires some basic English proficiency. We encourage international applicants to take one of our accepted English proficiency exams to determine admissions eligibility. Some of these exams are offered online for your convenience.
International students who need to take ESL classes may take them along with their academic program courses. Many students find this beneficial because they can start taking major related coursework with ESL classes. A student may also opt to take all credit level ESL classes their first semester if they prefer to improve their English skills before starting major coursework.
Choosing a Program of Study
LAPC issues I-20s for academic programs only. This includes associate's degrees and certificates of completion. The college does not currently issue I-20s for ESL courses alone since we do not have an "intensive English language program." View our college catalog for a list of our degrees and certificates. For example, a student can pursue a Photography Certificate while also taking credit ESL classes. The student would apply to LAPC for the Photography Certificate.
If you have any questions, please contact our office for more information.