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Undergraduate Admission for AA Transfer Students: Academic English Program


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International undergraduate applicants who do not meet Western’s minimum TOEFL requirement may be eligible undergraduate admissions with an Academic English Program (AEP) provision. Students who are admitted to AEP enroll in regular university courses plus Academic English courses offered through the Intensive English Program (IEP) at Western. Students in AEP are formally admitted to the university as undergraduates and earn credit towards graduation.


Associate of Arts (AA) students who transfer from a Washington State community college or other regionally accredited university or college will be accepted directly into the Academic English Program. In order to register for regular university courses during the first quarter at Western, transfer students should have a TOEFL score of 520 PB/190 CB/68 iBT, although other factors, such as transfer GPA and grades in college-level composition courses, will be considered.


Students admitted into the Academic English Program will be given a diagnostic/placement examination at the beginning of the first quarter at Western, administered through the Intensive English Program. All AEP students are required to complete an Advanced Academic Writing course and an Advanced Academic Communications course before moving into regular admission status. Students may also be advised to take a course in Advanced Grammar, in addition to regular credit coursework.


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Students in the Academic English Program are expected to maintain a GPA of 2.75 in credit coursework and should work towards meeting Western’s minimum TOEFL requirement. TOEFL is one factor used to track students’ progress through AEP, but completion of AEP is primarily determined by GPA in credit classes and by writing and oral proficiency.


Note: students who need further English language study before beginning regular university coursework may apply for Conditional Undergraduate Admission [link]. Conditional Admission students will enroll full-time in the Intensive English Program until meeting minimum requirements for entering the Academic English Program and enrolling in credit classes. Applicants for Conditional Admission should have a TOEFL of 500 PB/173 CB/60 iBT and fulfill all other requirements for undergraduate admission.

See English Proficiency/TOEFL Requirement at the Office of Admissions

Read more at: International Admissions


Academic English Program Progress Guide


Progression through the Academic English Program:


1. Apply for Academic English/Undergraduate Admission:

  • Transfer GPA: 3.0+, B or higher in English 101, 102, 103
  • Placement: Diagnostic placement testing in writing, grammar/reading, and oral communications
  • TOEFL: 520 paper-based / 190 computer-based / 68 iBT or higher

2. First quarter enrollment:

  • Regular university courses: students enroll in 4-9 credits in university courses
  • Academic English Program: students take 2 or more courses in English language writing and oral communications through the Intensive English Program (IEP)

3. Second quarter enrollment:

  • Requirement: Maintain a GPA of 2.75 in credit courses and 3.0 GPA in IEP courses
  • TOEFL (or equivalent): 530-545 paper-based / 197-207 computer-based / 72-76 iBT
  • Regular university courses: 8-9 credits in university courses
  • Academic English Program: Advanced Academic Writing

4. Completion of Academic English Program:

  • Requirement: Maintain a GPA of 2.75 in credit courses and 3.0 GPA in AEP Writing
  • TOEFL (or equivalent): 550 paper-based / 213 computer-based / 80 iBT
  • Enroll: Full time (12+ credits) regular university coursework

For more information, contact the AEP Advisor and Director of the Intensive English Program, Steve Robinson at Steve.Robinson@wwu.edu; 360-650-6873