English Language Proficiency

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• I. PURPOSE
• II. REFERENCES
• III. DEFINITIONS
• IV. POLICY
• V. PROCEDURES
• Policy Maintenance Information

I. PURPOSE

This policy establishes English language proficiency standards to support student success.

Scope: This policy applies to all Prospective Students who indicate on the admissions application that English is not their native language.

II. REFERENCES

1. Accommodations for Students with Disabilities
2. Equal Opportunity, Harassment, and Nondiscrimination Policy and Grievance Processes

III. DEFINITIONS

1. English Language Proficiency: The ability to read, write, speak, and understand English to the degree required to engage in college-level learning.
2. Prospective Student: A student not yet admitted to or enrolled at WGU who seeks admission to WGU.

IV. POLICY

1. WGU seeks to ensure that students can engage in WGU coursework using both written and spoken English, as the language of instruction and evaluation at WGU is English.
   
   
2. Prospective Students who indicate a lack of English Language Proficiency will not be admitted to WGU until they have demonstrated English Language Proficiency as defined in this policy.
   
   
   1. Prospective Students whose disabilities impact their ability to demonstrate English Language proficiency should contact Student Disability Services to request accommodations. Accommodations cannot be made solely based on lack of English Language Proficiency.
      
      
3. English Language Proficiency may be demonstrated by any of the following methods:
   
   
   1. Acknowledging, in the WGU admissions process, that English is the student’s primary and native language;
   2. A score on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) of 80 or higher, with all subsections scored at High-Intermediate or above, when using WGU’s TOEFL iBT code of 3949) or a score of 6.0 or higher on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or a score of 110 or higher on the Duolingo English Test;
   3. Obtaining a postsecondary degree from or successful completion of at least one year of postsecondary coursework with at least a C or above in a degree program at a United States (U.S.)-accredited institution of higher education in which the primary language of instruction and evaluation is English regardless of the postsecondary institution's location;
   4. Obtaining a high school diploma, or its equivalent, from an accredited US high school in which the primary language of instruction is English; 
   5. Having an active teaching license from a U.S. state; or
   6. Successfully completing a college-level English Composition Course of at least three credit hours with a grade of C or above from a WGU-recognized or regionally accredited institution. Courses number 100 and above are considered College Level.
      
      
4. Programs and colleges may establish additional requirements for Prospective Students based on U.S. state licensure standards for the relevant field of study.

V. PROCEDURES

1. During the enrollment process, each Prospective Student will be notified that WGU coursework and communications are delivered only in English. Each Prospective Student will be given the opportunity to acknowledge that they can read, write, speak, and understand English.
   
   
2. Enrollment counselors shall provide the options enumerated in the policy to Prospective Students for whom it is necessary to demonstrate English Language Proficiency.
   
   
3. Prospective Students may utilize any one of the methods listed in this policy to meet English Language Proficiency requirements for admission to WGU by providing documentation in support of their assertion.
   
   
4. If a Prospective Student chooses to demonstrate English Language Proficiency through an English language proficiency test, the Prospective Student must provide documentation of a passing score to Academic Records and Credentials.
   
   
5. If a Prospective Student chooses to demonstrate English Language Proficiency through prior education or coursework at a U.S.-accredited institution of higher education in which the primary language of instruction and evaluation is English, the Prospective Student must produce evidence of English language coursework.
   
   
6. If a prospective student is not able to demonstrate English Language Proficiency, that student can reapply at any time.

Policy Maintenance Information

• Policy: English Language Proficiency
• Responsible Department: Academic Records and Credentials
• Effective Date: August 1, 2021
• Approved Date: July 16, 2021
• Viewability: Student/WGU-community

Policy Action	Date	Authorization
Approved	July 16, 2021	Marni Baker Stein
Substantive Revision	December 14, 2023	Debbie Fowler, Sarah DeMark

Legacy Article Numbers: 20410, 1200