Proficiency in English

The ability to communicate effectively in English—to read, write and speak the language fluently—is vital to your success as a graduate student. Receipt of a USC graduate or professional degree signifies that its holder is fully qualified to conduct academic and professional pursuits in English.

Students whose native language is not English must make every effort to acquire English proficiency before beginning graduate study at USC.

TOEFL and TSE Scores

International applicants are urged to submit their scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and—if you are applying for a teaching assistantship—the Test of Spoken English (TSE). Although submission of these scores is not a criterion for admission to the university, your academic department or school may require them.

USC TOEFL school code: 4852

International Student English Examination

The International Student English Examination (ISE) is a free placement examination that determines the English proficiency of international students. Students whose native language is English and/or students with a bachelor’s degree from a U.S. college or university are exempted from this examination.

All other newly admitted international students must take (sit for) the ISE prior to registering for classes at USC if your TOEFL score is:

lower than 600 on the paper-based test (examination); or
lower than 250 on the computer-based test; or
lower than a total score of 100 on the Internet-based test, with no less than 20 on each of the four test components.

You must have taken the TOEFL test within the last two years.

American Language Institute

Your level of achievement on the ISE will determine whether you must enroll in English-language courses at the university’s American Language Institute (ALI) before or during your first semester at USC. The number of required courses—up to one full year of study—will be based on your level of English-language proficiency. Some graduate departments and schools may waive ALI course requirements. Contact your department for more information.

Students who may need to fulfill English-language requirements (or who wish to improve their English proficiency) are strongly advised to attend ALI in the summer session prior to fall enrollment.

ALI classes cannot be deferred. If you are required to enroll in ALI, you must begin English-language classes in your first semester and continue each semester until all ALI course work is completed. ALI also offers elective classes for international students in pronunciation, grammar, dissertation writing and other subjects.

Please be aware that English-language study will increase the overall cost of your degree program, because courses at ALI are billed at the regular tuition rate.

For more information about the American Language Institute, click here. For questions not answered by the website, contact the American Language Institute at (213) 740-0079.

English-language Requirements for Teaching Assistants

If you are planning to accept a position as an international teaching assistant (ITA), you must demonstrate English-language proficiency in the oral interview examination conducted by the International Teaching Assistants Program. The examination consists of a 10- to 15-minute interview. Depending on your score (mark), you may be permitted to teach while taking ALI courses, or be required to complete ALI courses before assuming teaching duties.

Students who meet one of the following requirements may request a waiver of the oral interview:

Your native language is English;
You hold a bachelor’s degree from an institution in Canada (except Québec), Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, United Kingdom or the United States;
You scored 29 or better on the speaking portion of the TOEFL and 25 or better on the listening portion of the TOEFL Internet-based examination.

If you have questions about the oral interview that are not answered on the ITA website, please e-mail the ITA Program Coordinator at ita@usc.edu, or call (213) 740-0096.

Preparation and Training for Teaching Assistants

The International Teaching Assistants Program also offers a weeklong ITA Institute in August, in partnership with the Center for Excellence in Teaching. The Institute prepares ITAs for the oral exam and also offers intensive training in methods of presenting information, eliciting student participation and other aspects of effective teaching. For more information, contact your Teaching Assistant Coordinator or Graduate Student Advisor.