Graduate Admissions

ENGLISH PROFICIENCY REQUIREMENTS

In any academic endeavor language is a principal vehicle for communication. Proficiency in verbal and written forms of the English language plays an important role in your ability to be a successful student.

SCPS requires all graduate applicants who are not U.S. citizens to submit scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). All accepted applicants are also required to take  a diagnostic examination at  NYU's American Language Institute. Depending on the results of your examination, you may be required to take continuing education English courses prior to or concurrent with your regular academic coursework. Such English language coursework may lengthen the time and expense of a graduate degree and should be taken into account by students when planning for funding sources.

TEST OF ENGLISH AS A FOREIGN LANGUAGE (TOEFL)
The TOEFL exam is designed to measure your knowledge of English as a foreign language, and is administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS). The TOEFL ETS reporting code for the School of Continuing and Professional Studies is 2557.

All applicants who have not completed their entire four-year bachelor’s degree in the United States are required to submit a TOEFL test score. When you take the test you will receive a score report from ETS. Please include a photocopy of your test score report in your application package.TOEFL scores cannot be more than 2 years old.

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)

Tel: (609) 771-7100
Fax: (609) 883-4349
E-mail: toefl@ets.org

EXEMPTION FROM TOEFL TESTING
Applicants who are citizens from the United Kingdom, Canada, or Australia, and have studied four years in their home country, in English, are exempt from TOEFL. Other exemptions for TOEFL are made on a case by case basis.

AMERICAN LANGUAGE INSTITUTE (ALI) TESTING

New York University requires all non-native English speaking applicants to take an English language proficiency test at the American Language Institute (ALI), in order to measure English language ability and assess students’ academic English writing skills.  The test is administered free of charge to students who have been admitted into the School of Continuing and Professional Studies. To schedule an appointment to take the exam, e-mail (ali@nyu.edu) or call  (1-212-998-7040).

A self assessment exam is also offered by the ALI. Students may take this test before applying to a graduate program or while attending SCPS. 

If the English language test determines that you require additional formal English study to bring you to the necessary level of language mastery, you will need to anticipate that such required study may have an impact on your general academic schedule, extend the time needed to complete your degree, and increase your overall tuition costs.  That is why it is very important that you read and understand the following information.

You may arrange an appointment with your academic program advisor to set up a preliminary schedule; but keep in mind that that schedule is subject to change pending the results of your ALI exam. 

If you are required to study English, you will be tested to determine your English language proficiency at the end of each semester.

The ALI test accurately evaluates your English Proficiency Level (EPL).  Your results will determine your readiness either to commence your academic degree program directly or to focus first on raising your English language skills to help ensure the likelihood of your success as a graduate student:

If your results in the English Proficiency Test results range from EPL1-6, you will be required to take English courses on a full-time basis.

The Day Intensive Course in American English and Orientation is the full-time English Program (for students not yet ready for degree study):
Cost during the 2008-09 academic year is $4,820 per semester.*

If your English Proficiency Test result is EPL7 or EPL8, the test indicates that you may commence your degree studies but will need significant English language study as well.  As a result, you will be required to take English courses part-time and will be allowed to take courses in your degree program part-time. Depending on whether your needs are primarily in writing and reading, or verbal communication, there are two options.

EPL 7: Ready for Part-Time Degree Study** and Part-Time English Study
Advanced Workshop Program:

EPL 8: Ready for Part-Time Degree Study** and Part-Time English Study 
Advanced Workshop Program:

EPL 9: Ready for Full-Time Degree Study
No ALI coursework is required

If your English Proficiency Test result is EPL9, the test indicates that you are ready for full-time academic study and are not required to take English Language courses.

* Cost for ALI coursework subject to change.
** Part-time credit load is determined by the individual academic program.