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Program Requirements

For prospective international students requesting admission to WVU as undergraduates, the minimum test requirement is an iBT TOEFL of 79 or IELTS of 6.5 with a high school GPA of at least 2.5 on a scale of 4.0. If TOEFL scores are below 79 or IELTS is below 6.5, a student can be conditionally admitted to an undergraduate degree program with additional placement in English support classes through ELLI. If a student places into the AMP ESL program, the English support classes can be applied towards their academic degree and may contribute to graduation requirements.

If a student doesn't have test scores, or if their test scores are too low for the AMP ESL program, they can enroll in the IEP program or AMP-ESL Prep Online program full-time or part-time. Test scores cannot be used to waive credit-bearing required English classes (i.e. ENGL 101). IEP and AMP-ESL PREP courses are not credit-bearing and will not count towards an undergraduate degree.

Enrollment Requirements by Program


Intensive English Face-to-Face Program AMP-ESL PREP Online Program AMP ESL Two-Semester Path AMP ESL
One-Semester Path
Regular WVU Admission
Program length 1 to 4 semesters
(12 weeks summer, 16 weeks fall & spring)
1 semester
(12 weeks summer, 16 weeks fall & spring)
2 semesters (about 9 months) 1 semester (about 4.5 months) N/A
Credits earned
toward degree
None None 24 or more 12 or more N/A
Progression into... AMP ESL Two-Semester Path Test Score needed
Year 1 of degree Year 1 of degree N/A
> GPA minimum *N/A
*N/A 2.5 2.5 2.5
iBT TOEFL minimum *N/A *N/A 61 74 79
IELTS minimum *N/A *N/A 5.5 (no section scores below 5.5) 6.0 (no section scores below 6) 6.5
Pearson Test of English Academic minimum *N/A *N/A 44 50 53
Duolingo
English Test

Below 90
Below 90
90-104
90-104 and review by WVU English Language Learning Institute 105
ACT English Below 19 Below 19 19-23 19-23 and review by WVU English Language Learning Institute 24
SAT EBRW Below 490 Below 490 490-560 490-560 and review by WVU English Language Learning Institute 570

Program requirement information about the IEP Face-to-Face, AMP-ESL Prep online, AMP ESL-2 and AMP ESL-1 programs.

*Language proficiency test scores are not required to register for classes in the IEP or the AMP ESL PREP programs.  Placement in skill levels will be determined by placement tests administered at the beginning of the semester.

Other options for establishing English proficiency are:

GCSE or GCE English exam – Letter grades A, B or C, or numerical grades 4-9

International Baccalaureate Diploma

Average grade of B (3.0) or higher in two introductory English composition courses including coursework on research and the writing process taken at a regionally accredited U.S. university.


Application Deadlines

For an applicant to be considered for admission and to be able to process immigration papers, all application materials and supporting documents must be received by these dates:

  • Fall semester – Apply by June 1. All academic documents must be received by July 1.

  • Spring semester – Apply by October 1. All academic documents must be received by November 1.

  • Summer semester – Apply by February 15. All academic documents must be received by April 1.

Applications submitted after the deadline and incomplete applications will be considered for the next term.


Progression by Program

Intensive English Face-to-Face Program Requirements

If a student does not have test scores or their scores do not qualify for either of the AMP ESL programs, then they may want to enter the Intensive English Program. The IEP provides students with intensive English language support and does not include credit-bearing classes. Following completion of IEP Level 4 with a GPA of 3.0 or better, students will progress into the AMP ESL-2 path. Students in the IEP may not progress to a higher AMP ESL path or to full university study without the requisite test scores.

AMP-ESL PREP Online Program Requirements 

Students may choose to study from home in the AMP-ESL PREP Online advanced program if students do not have test scores or their scores do not qualify for either of the AMP-ESL programs. The PREP Online advanced program provides students with advanced curriculum in ESL with core and integrated skills courses which are not credit-bearing.  Following completion of the AMP-ESL PREP Online Program, students will require appropriate iBT TOEFL or IELTS test scores to enroll in the AMP-ESL Two-Semester or One-Semester Paths.

AMP ESL's One-Semester Path Requirements

This AMP ESL path is designed to develop students’ English proficiency to the university level in one semester. Only students with the appropriate scores (iBT TOEFL 74-78, IELTS 6.0) will be enrolled. AMP ESL's One-Semester Path offers expertly taught language instruction to aid students in reaching the required English proficiency level of West Virginia University. AMP ESL students in this path will take two English Support courses and three undergraduate courses, all of which may contribute to their graduation requirements.

AMP ESL's Two-Semester Path Requirements

AMP ESL-2 provides increased opportunities for English language instruction with a two-semester program of courses. Students with iBT TOEFL scores of 61-73 or IELTS scores of 5.5 will be enrolled in the AMP ESL-2 program. AMP ESL-2 students will take three English Support courses and two undergraduate courses in the first semester and two English Support courses and three undergraduate courses in the second semester, all of which may contribute to their graduation requirements.


Transferring ESL Credit

Completion of an English language program at another U.S. university or college will not be accepted as proof of English proficiency.


Tuition and Fees

Click the following link for more information on Tuition and Fees

International Students at WVU seeking extra training in English as a Second Language may now enroll in any of the AMP-ESL courses.  Check with your advisor today!