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. Students whose native language is not English must make every effort to acquire English proficiency before beginning graduate study at USC.
English Proficiency Criteria
In order to satisfy the English-language proficiency requirement, newly admitted international students must meet one of three criteria:
1) An Internet Based TOEFL (iBT) score of 100 or higher with no less than 20 on each individual section of the test. The test must have been taken no earlier than 2 years (24 months) prior to the start of your intended first term at USC.
Official scores must be received directly from ETS. The institution code for USC is 4852. No department code is required.
2) A bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited university located in the United States or officially recognized university in another country in which English is both the language of instruction and the only official language of the country. Please note that the entire program must be completed in the qualifying country.
We do not waive the English-proficiency requirement based on either a graduate degree from a university in the U.S. or other qualifying country or an undergraduate program taught in English in a non-Anglophone country.
3) Native language is English. This applies to native English speakers from countries such as the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada (except Quebec) where English is both the only official language of the country and the language of instruction.
IELTS
USC does not accept IELTS scores.
International Student English Examination (ISE)
The International Student English Examination (ISE) is a free placement examination that determines the English proficiency of international students. Your performance on the ISE will determine whether you can matriculate directly into regular graduate courses or if additional English-language study is required prior to or concurrent with regular graduate enrollment.
Newly admitted international students must take the ISE prior to registering for classes at USC if they have not been exempted per the conditions listed above.
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.
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 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.