English Language

English Language Proficiency for Admission is determined through a combination of official English Language Proficiency (ELP) test scores and an ELP Assessment Interview administered by SFCM Admissions or English Language faculty. 

All international applicants whose native language is not English are required to submit English Language Proficiency (ELP) scores and take an oral ELP assessment interview. At SFCM, your native language is defined as the language of your country of birth or primary citizenship. For Fall or Spring 2027 admission, official English tests must be taken on or after September 1, 2025. We do not accept official scores before this date.

US Permanent Residents

All U.S. Permanent Residents whose native language is not English must submit the English Language Proficiency (ELP) Waiver Request for a full review of their English language experience. Based on this review, U.S. Permanent Residents may still be required to submit an ELP test score.

Current and Former SFCM Students

Current and previous SFCM students are exempt from submitting English Language Proficiency (ELP) scores and from completing the Orientation English diagnostic. However, when you arrive for your new program, if your English proficiency level is below the minimum expected for that program, you may be required to complete the English diagnostic. Depending on the results, you may need to take remedial English courses.

Accepted Tests

We accept the following tests. Please note, we do not provide testing discount codes.

• TOEFL (In School TOEFL Code: 4744)
• IELTS
• Duolingo
• Cambridge English Skills Test 

Score Deadline Eligibility

For Fall or Spring 2027 admission, official English tests must be taken on or after September 1, 2025. We do not accept official scores before this date.

Not Accepted Tests

We do not accept the following tests:

• TOEFL “My Best”  Scores
• TOEFL Single Skill retakes
• Any ELP score dated prior to September 1, 2025*

*This date is updated each year once requirements are posted for the upcoming application cycle. For Fall and Spring 2027 admission, we do not accept scores prior to September 1, 2025. All scores must be valid upon entry to SFCM. We will update this date each year for the upcoming application cycle. 

Score Deadline Eligibility

For Fall or Spring 2027 admission, official English tests must be taken on or after September 1, 2025. We do not accept official scores for Fall or Spring 2027 before this date. This date is updated each year once requirements are posted for the upcoming application cycle.

Submission & Deadline

1. Upload ELPS Score in Application: A copy of your English Language Proficiency (ELP) score must be submitted within your application. An application without an ELP score is considered incomplete. The deadline to submit a copy of your ELP score is the same as the application deadline. All scores submitted within the application are considered "unofficial."
2. Interview/Assessment: Attend your interview/assessment between January 15 - February 15. See the ELP Interview dropdown for more information.
3. Official Scores Due: All official scores are due from the testing agency by March 1 for Fall applicants, and December 1 for Spring applicants. Scores must be submitted by the testing agency to be considered “official.” 
4. ELP Probation: Those admitted on ELP probation must submit updated final passing scores by March 1 for Fall applicants and January 1 for Spring applicants.
5. ELP Diagnostic - Orientation: All international students, including those who received a waiver, must complete an English Diagnostic at Orientation. See the Orientation dropdown for more information.

Minimum Score Requirements

Use the drop downs below to review the minimum ELP scores needed per degree program or degree level. All applicants should work hard to achieve the minimum score for their degree. Those with scores under the minimum are still encouraged to apply; applicants may be placed on English Probation if their score falls below the minimum requirement or our threshold for admission.

We admit students whose ELP score falls within the following threshold of the minimum requirement: 0.5 points for IELTS and the new TOEFL (0-6 scale); 10 points for Duolingo, Cambridge English, and TOEFL iBT (0-120 scale).

Use the arrows below to open and close sections.

All international students who are required to submit ELP scores must attend an ELP interview/assessment conducted by SFCM Admissions staff or English Language faculty. This interview is a relaxed conversation on non-academic topics and is designed to help us evaluate your English proficiency and how you may adapt to studying abroad. We will not provide assessment topics or any follow-up questions prior to the assessment. Applications without an interview will be considered incomplete.

All interviews will take place after application submission and following the prescreening decision and final audition invitation release. Interviews will take place Monday -Friday between 9:00 am - 5:00 pm PT. Extended hours after 5:00 pm PT may be provided for certain international time zones. All interviews will be conducted online in Pacific Time through Google Meet. A link will be provided in a calendar invite after scheduling.

Timeline

• Fall: Fall applicants will be allowed to select a time for an interview on a rolling basis beginning December 15, following prescreening results and audition invitation release. Applicants must select their interview by January 31. Interviews will take place Monday-Friday, 9:00 am-5:00 pm, between January 15-February 15.
• Spring: Spring applicants will be allowed to select an interview time on a rolling basis beginning October 31, following prescreening and audition invitation release. Interviews are scheduled immediately after, between November 1–15.

Eligibility for ELP Waiver

The following applicants may request an English Language Proficiency (ELP) Waiver. 

• U.S. Permanent Residents: All U.S. Permanent Residents must submit for further review.
• International applicants who have completed 4 academic years of education at an institution where the primary language of instruction was English. All students must provide unofficial transcripts within the application to verify their institution. In addition to transcripts, applicants may also submit a letter from their school. 
• International applicants who are currently enrolled in their 4th academic year at an institution where the primary language of instruction is English. All four years must be completed before enrolling at SFCM. All students must provide unofficial transcripts within the application to verify their institution. In addition to transcripts, applicants may also submit a letter from their school. 
• Current and Former SFCM Students do not need to submit an ELP waiver and automatically receive a waiver. However, when these students arrive for their new program, if their English proficiency level is below the minimum expected for that program, they may be required to complete the English diagnostic. Depending on the results, they may need to take remedial English courses.

Deadline to Submit

Applicants must open an application to submit the ELP waiver. The waiver form can be found on the Application Homepage under the Waiver tab. The deadline to submit an ELP waiver is the day prior to the application deadline at 11:59 PM PT. Applicants are encouraged to submit the waiver earlier in the application process to allow time for processing.

Orientation Diagnostic Exam

All enrolling students whose native language is not English will also undergo an English diagnostics/placement exam during Orientation (usually the week before classes begin). This includes those who receive an ELP waiver. This exam is made up of two components: a writing evaluation and a speaking interview. Regardless of degree/program level, students may be placed into remedial English courses based on the results of this placement exam during Orientation.

All enrolling students whose native language is not English will also undergo an English diagnostic/placement exam during Orientation. This includes those who receive an ELP waiver. This exam is made up of two components: a writing evaluation and a speaking interview. Regardless of degree/program level, students may be placed into remedial English courses based on the results of this placement exam during Orientation.

While all applicants should prioritize and work hard to achieve a minimum score, those whose scores fall below the minimum may still apply to SFCM. Those with a score below the minimum may still be accepted on English Language Proficiency Probation and given more time to submit passing scores for full admission and I-20 eligibility. Please note, admission on ELP probation is not guaranteed. All applicants should work to achieve a passing score.

Policies & Procedures

Those accepted on ELP probation must submit updated scores by May 1 for Fall entry and January 1 for Spring entry.

• Fall Entry: If new scores have not met the minimum requirements for your area of study, we may offer a second interview/assessment to determine your continued eligibility. If it is determined that you have made sufficient progress, you may be offered an additional extension to June 1.
• Spring Entry: If new scores have not met the minimum requirements for your area of study, we will provide the option to defer your enrollment to the Fall semester due to the timeframe required to process new scores, the I-20 workflow, and enrollment.

All students whose native language is not English will complete an English diagnostic placement exam during Orientation, regardless of ELP waiver status. The diagnostic is given at Orientation in January for Spring entry, and in August for Fall entry. Based on the results, students may be placed into English language courses regardless of degree or program level. The exam consists of two components: a writing evaluation and a speaking interview.

SFCM takes English Proficiency and academic honesty very seriously. Applicants are warned to abide by all testing policies according to their testing agency and to maintain academic integrity throughout the testing process.

Academic Dishonesty - Application Process

If it is discovered during the application process that an applicant submitted fraudulent scores or cheated on their ELP exam, their application will be canceled and no application refund will be issued.

Expected Level of English

Admitted students are expected to arrive at SFCM at the level demonstrated by their ELP test score and assessment. It is important that applicants keep practicing English leading up to their arrival.

If a student arrives at SFCM and their demonstrated proficiency is significantly lower than the expected level, this may trigger a review of their ELP score. Through this review, if it is found that an applicant submitted fraudulent scores or cheated on their exam, they will be referred to the Academic Integrity Hearing Board (AIHB) for further review. The results of the AIHB review may result in expulsion from SFCM.