English Proficiency Requirement

Your success at CALMAT depends upon your ability to communicate in English. Advanced listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills are essential to processing large amounts of challenging material under time constraints with full comprehension. Such proficiency is greater than that required for everyday living. A degree from CALMAT demonstrates that the graduate has achieved the high level of English proficiency necessary for further professional and academic success.

International students admitted to CALMAT are typically required to take the English Proficiency Assessment (EPA)* administered by CALMAT at the beginning of their first term of study. The results of this examination determine whether or not students must take special courses in English. However, international students who meet the following conditions are not required to take the EPA:

  1. Native English speakers from the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada (except Quebec).
  2. Students who hold a degree higher than an Associate degree from an accredited university where English is the language of instruction.
  3. Students who have achieved one of the following minimum proficiency scores:
  • Computer Based TOEFL (CBT) = 213
  • Internet Based TOEFL (iBT) = 80
  • Paper Based TOEFL (PBT) = 550
  • International English Language Testing Systems (IELTS) = 5.5

Any student who cannot meet these English proficiency standards must enroll in the American Language Institute (ALI) at CALMAT or another approved language center such as the Monterey Bay American Language Institute (MB ALI). ALI provides courses designed to improve an international student's oral and written communication skills in English. After taking the EPA, some students may have no ALI requirement, in rare cases others may be required to take up to 14 units of coursework in their first year. Student required to enroll in ALI must take the International Student English (ISE) Examination to determine the scope of English language courses they must complete. The majority of students who take the ISE are required to take 6 units of English in their first year.

ALI tuition units are charged at the regular university rate. Entering students who need to take English language classes should be aware that the ALI course requirements may add to the overall length and cost of their degree program. Undergraduates may earn up to 12 units of credit toward their degree for ALI courses numbered 100 and above, though some departmental restrictions may apply. Graduate students may not count ALI course work credits toward their degree. ALI classes can normally be taken concurrently with other university classes and must be completed at the earliest opportunity.

*EPA includes a one hour written test, a five minute presentation, and 15 minutes of interviews. Please contact info@calmat.us for more details about the EPA.