International Student Services
English Proficiency Requirement
International student applicants must provide proof of English language proficiency as part of the application process. The documentation listed after each entry in the Exams and Certifications, and U.S. Language School Partnerships with Los Angeles Pierce College (LAPC) sections are acceptable as proof of proficiency.
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
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): Minimum score of 45
- Score reports must be sent directly from ETS to Los Angeles Pierce College.
- The DI code for LAPC is 4398.
- TOEFL iBT- via computer at a test center
- TOEFL iBT Home Edition- via computer at home
- TOEFL iBT Paper Edition- combination of paper test and computer at home
- TOEFL Essentials - via computer at home
International English Language Testing System (IELTS): Minimum score of 4.5
- Submit an official score report
- IELTS Online
- IELTS Computer at IELTS test centre
- IELTS on Paper at IELTS test centre
Duolingo English Test: Minimum score 75
- Request your electronic score report be sent to Los Angeles Pierce College
- This test can be taken online and on-demand. You will need a computer with a camera and a quiet, private room.
Pearson English Language Test | PTE Academic: Minimum score of 39
- Request your electronic score report be sent to Los Angeles Pierce College
- PTE Academic
- PTE Academic Online
International Test of English Proficiency (iTEP): Minimum score of 3.2 Undergrad
- Submit an official score report
Eiken Test in Practical English Proficiency (STEP Eiken): Minimum score of level pre-1, 1 or 2
- Submit an official score report
Cambridge English: C2 Proficiency (CPE): Minimum score of B2 or higher
- Submit an official score report
Cambridge International AS & A Levels: A level placement
- Submit an official score report
GTEC (Japan): Minimum score of 946
- Submit an official score report
Native speaker or two or more years of education (high school or college) with English as the main language of instruction
- Submit official transcript
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.
American English College: Completion of level 6
- Submit an official transcript
AOI College of Languages: Completion of level 6
- Submit an official transcript
California Language Academy: Complete of level 5
- Submit an official transcript
California State University, Northridge (CSUN) Intensive English Program: Completion of Level 7 and 8
- Submit an official transcript
ELS Academic English Programs: Completion of level 109 or higher
- Submit an official transcript
English Language Center (ELC): Completion of level 600A or higher
- Submit an official transcript
Harvest English Institute: Completion of level 4 or higher
- Submit an official transcript
Kaplan: Completion of Higher Intermediate Level
- Submit an official transcript
Language Systems International College of English: Completion of level 6 or higher
- Submit an official transcript
Mentor Language Institute (MLI): Completion of high intermediate level (Track 2) or higher
- Submit an official transcript
Poly Languages Institute: Completion of level 6
- Submit an official transcript
USC International Academy Intensive English Program: Completion of level 5
- Submit an official transcript
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. Some of the advanced level ESL courses are transferable at the university level. Enrolling in credit level ESL classes requires some basic English proficiency. We encourage 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. Pierce issues I-20s for academic programs only. This includes Associates Degrees and Certificates of Completion. The college does not currently issue I-20s for ESL courses alone.
If you have any questions, please contact our office for more information.