Axe ’Em, Jacks!
English proficiency for international students may be demonstrated in several ways:
TOEFL, IELTS, PTE score reports
All English proficiency tests must have been taken within the last two years to be considered valid for admission.
Test of English as a Foreign Language
- 79 iBT (internet-based)
- 550 pBT (paper-based)
International English Language Testing System
- Overall band 6.5
Pearson Test of English
- 53
Note: The Master of Science in mathematical sciences and the Performing Artist Certificate have set their English proficiency requirements at:
- TOEFL: 70 iBT/500 pBT
- IELTS: 6.0
- PTE: 48
Successful completion of a U.S. academic program
Students must have received a high school diploma, associate degree or higher from a U.S. institution within the previous two years prior to beginning studies at SFA.
Waivers
Some students may qualify for a waiver from English proficiency testing. A student who claims a waiver takes the responsibility of being able to perform at an academic level appropriate for their studies. Read the information below carefully to determine if you qualify.
English Proficiency Waiver countries
Students educated and earning a diploma or degree in these countries at the secondary or post-secondary level in English will be exempt from additional English language testing.
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Anguilla
- Australia
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Belize
- Bermuda
- British Virgin Islands
- Canada (except Quebec)
- Cayman Islands
- Dominica
- Fiji
- Gibraltar
- Grenada
- Guyana
- Jamaica
- Kiribati
- Liberia
- Marshall Islands
- Mauritius
- Micronesia
- Montserrat
- New Zealand
- St. Kitts and Nevis
- Saint Lucia
- South Sudan
- St. Vincent and Grenadines
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Turks and Caicos
- United Kingdom and Northern Ireland
Secondary Waiver countries
Students educated and earning a degree in these countries at the post-secondary level in English will be exempt from additional English language testing.
- Botswana
- Gambia
- Ghana
- Namibia
- Nigeria
- Sierra Leone
- Uganda
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
Note: This exemption does not apply to the Master of Arts in professional counseling or Master of Arts in student affairs and higher education graduate programs. Applicants to these programs are required to submit a TOEFL score of at least 90 iBT or an IELTS of 6.5, if they do not have an exemption from another category.