English Proficiency Requirements
You can demonstrate your English Proficiency by fulfilling just one of the following criteria below:
- Attendance at a non-U.S. high school/secondary school where English is the language
of instruction. Completion of a minimum of 3 years at a non-U.S. high school where English is the
primary language of instruction. Submit a letter from your high school's office, on school
letterhead, verifying your attendance for a minimum of 3 years and certifying that your school's primary language of instruction is English.
- U.S. High School: Completion of two semesters of academic English (no ESL or ELD classes) with a grade of C or better. Attach to your International Application your official transcripts from your U.S. high school. This does not include Intensive English Programs or English as a Second Language Programs at a U.S. high school.
- TOEFL: 45 iBT (internet based test). Send an official score report to Pasadena City College,
ETS Code: 4604. E-delivery preferred.
- TOEFL Essentials : Minimum score of 7.5. Send an official score report to Pasadena City College, ETS Code: 4604. E-delivery preferred.
- TOEFL ITP (China Only): Minimum score of 460. Send an official score report to Pasadena City College. E-delivery preferred.
- IELTS Academic or IELTS Indicator: Minimum score of 5.0. Send an official score report to Pasadena City College. E-delivery preferred.
- iTEP: Minimum score of 3. Send an official score report.
- STEP-Eiken: Minimum 2nd Grade. Send an official report.
- Duolingo English Test: Minimum score of 80. Send an official score report to Pasadena City College. E-delivery preferred.
- LanguageCert Academic: Minimum score of 54 or higher. E-delivery preferred. International scholarship opportunities available through LanguageCert. Apply here.
Score reports must be less than two years old.
E-transcripts are accepted from U.S. high schools, colleges and universities. Request transcripts to be emailed to the International Student Center at iso@pasadena.edu.
You can also demonstrate your English proficiency by submitting a certificate of completion from one of the following English language schools:
- American English College: ESL Level 6
- American English Language School (AELS): Level 5
- Cal Poly English Language Institute: Level 5
- ELS Language Centers: Level 109
- Kaplan: Higher Intermediate - Level 4
- Language Systems International: Level 6
- OEI College (Olympia Education Institute): Advanced Level I/ Level 5
- Rosemead College of English: Level 5
- USC International Academy: Level 5
- Proof of completion of the highest level of ESL classes in a language school in the U.S.: Submit a copy of the certificate from the current language school to verify completion of the highest level of ESL classes.
Exemptions to the English Proficiency Requirement
Students who have graduated with a diploma/degree from secondary or postsecondary school (college/university) from the following countries are exempt from providing proof of English proficiency:
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Citizenship in these countries alone will not exempt you from the English proficiency requirement. Exemption is based on whether you completed your schooling in that country or not.
If your country has more than one official language listed (other than English), PCC will require that you show proof of English proficiency.
The exemption for showing proof of English does not imply exemption from completing the English/ESL Guided Self-Placement required for all new PCC students.