English Language Proficiency

All Florida Tech programs are taught in English. English language proficiency is required of all students whose first language is not English and who are taking academic courses at Florida Tech. Students may apply and be admitted to the university prior to the submission of proof of English proficiency. However, acceptable proof of English Proficiency must be submitted before the issuance of immigration documents or enrollment. This requirement applies to all modalities of degree and certificate programs.

For more information, please refer to Florida Tech's policy on demonstrating English proficiency in the university catalog.

Demonstrating Proficiency

Students whose first language is not English are considered to have demonstrated English language proficiency if they have accomplished any of the following:

1. Passed an English test no more than two years before attendance at Florida Tech:

• an Internet-based TOEFL (standard, home and paper) with an earned score of at least 80; or
• a TOEFL Essentials with a score of at least 9; or 
• an IELTS with an earned score of at least 6.5; or
• a PTE Academic with an earned score of at least 58; or 
• a Cambridge English: Advanced with an earned score of at least 180 (Grade of C); or
• a Duolingo English Test with an earned score of at least 105

*Test scores must be sent directly from the testing agency to be considered official and to meet the proficiency requirement.

2. Earned an official score of four or higher on an English examination:

• the International Baccalaureate Higher Level Language A examination in English, or
• the College Board Advanced Placement examination in English Language and Composition.

*Test scores must be sent directly from the testing agency to be considered official and to meet the proficiency requirement.

3. Successfully completed ELS English for Academic Purposes level 112.

4. Studied at an institution in the United States, United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, Anglophone Canada, Anglophone Caribbean, Anglophone Africa, or a secondary school overseas where English is the primary language of instruction,

• attending for three consecutive years and graduating from an accredited high school; or
• completing a total of 20 semester credit hours at an accredited university or college, including three semester credit hours of English that qualify as transfer credit for Florida Tech’s COM 1101 Composition and Rhetoric; or
• earning a bachelor’s or higher degree from an accredited university or college.

Language Requirements for Flight Students

Flight students who are not native English language speakers will be required to meet additional English language proficiency requirements as required by the FAA.

Flight students whose first language is not English are required to receive a minimum score of 4 on the ICAO Test of English Language Proficiency prior to beginning flight training. This test will be administered in-person by Florida Tech Aviation. Outside exams will not be accepted.

Any student that scores below a level 4 will be required to complete additional aviation English language instruction and retest to attain a level 4 on the test before being permitted to commence flight training. The chief instructor, or their designee, has the authority to waive this testing requirement. All waivers require demonstrable language ability equal to or greater than ICAO level 4.

Florida Tech Aviation may cease a student’s flight training and require the student to obtain additional English language instruction if they fail to demonstrate an ability to read, speak, write, and understand the English language, regardless of test score.

Language Requirements for Graduate Assistantships

International students are eligible for graduate assistantships in some academic units. In addition to specific academic unit requirements for service as a graduate assistant, any student whose first language is not English must pass an English proficiency examination with a minimum score as listed in the table below. Students must also pass the International Teaching Assistant Speaking Assessment (ITASA) to serve as a graduate teaching assistant.

Further information can be found on the Grad Student Assist Employment/Contract page.