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Admissions

573.875.7515

Admissions@CCIS.edu

Whether you have questions about application requirements, want to learn more about our programs, or need someone to offer direction for next steps, our dedicated admissions team is here to help.

English Proficiency Requirements

In order to ensure a successful experience, applicants whose native language is not English (regardless of citizenship) as provided on their application must provide proof of English proficiency by providing official scores from a proficiency or standardized admission test. 

Institution codes to send official score reports
  • TOEFL (ibt and pbt): 6095
  • IELTS: n/a
  • ACT: 2276
  • SAT: 6095

Please note that credentials are reviewed carefully to confirm that applicants have the requisite English language proficiency to succeed academically at Columbia College. Therefore, the Recruiting & Admissions Division reserves the right to require additional documentation to verify English language proficiency. The College reserves the right to deny admission to any applicant and to deny and/or rescind admission to any applicant who provides false or misleading information to the College.

English Proficiency Exams

Appropriate scores from the following exams demonstrate English language proficiency for admission review.

TOEFL iBT & PBT IELTS iTEP Academics
Duolingo English Test PTE Academics Gateway

Admission with English Language Support[2]

Only offered through the English for Academic Purposes (EAP) program at the Columbia, Missouri (Day) location.

  • TOEFL ibt[1] (internet-based test): 54 or higher (with no subset score below 10)
  • TOEFL pbt[1] (paper-based test): 480 or higher (with no subset score below 46)
  • IELTS[1]: 5.0 or higher (with no individual band scores below 4.0)
  • iTEP Academic: 3.5 or higher (with no subset level lower than 2.0)
  • Duolingo English Test: 80 or higher
  • PTE Academic: 42 or higher (with no subset score lower than 20)
  • SAT: Evidence-Based Reading and Writing subset score of 380 or higher
  • ACT: English subset score of 15 or higher

Undergraduate Program (all locations)

Students requiring an F-1 student visa are only eligible to attend the locations of: Columbia, Missouri (Day); Denver, Colorado; and Elgin, Illinois.

Score requirements include all non-degree undergraduate level coursework at any location.

  • TOEFL ibt[1] (internet-based test): 72 or higher (with no subset score below 16)
  • TOEFL pbt[1] (paper-based test): 530 or higher (with no subset score below 53)
  • IELTS[1] : 6.0 or higher (with no band scores below 5.5)
  • iTEP Academic: 3.7 or higher (with no subset level lower than 2.5)
  • Duolingo English Test: 95 or higher
  • PTE Academic: 50 or higher (with no subset score lower than 30)
  • SAT: Evidence-Based Reading and Writing subset score of 430 or higher
  • ACT: English subset score of 17 or higher

English exam scores from school leaving exams:

  • WAEC Score of B4 or better
  • CXC score of 2 or better
  • GCSE/IGCSE score of C or five or better

Graduate Program (all locations)

Students requiring an F-1 student visa are only eligible to attend the locations of: Columbia, Missouri (Main Campus Graduate) and Denver, Colorado (MBA only).

  • TOEFL ibt[1] (internet-based test): 80 or higher (with no subset score below 20)
  • TOEFL pbt[1] (paper-based test): 550 or higher ( with no subset score below 55)
  • IELTS[1] : 6.5 or higher (with no band scores below 6.0)
  • iTEP Academic: 3.9 or higher (with no subset level lower than 3.0)
  • Duolingo English Test: 105 or higher
  • PTE Academic: 58 or higher (with no subset score lower than 40)

Alternative Evidence of English Language Proficiency

Columbia College will also consider the following evidence of English language proficiency:
  • A grade of C or higher from an English composition course completed at a regionally-accredited U.S. institution and deemed equivalent by the Office of the Registrar to the Columbia College ENGL 133W course.
  • A score of 50[3] or higher for CLEP of an English composition course as deemed equivalent by the Office of the Registrar to the Columbia College ENGL 133W course.
  • A score of 400[3] or higher for DSST of an English composition course as deemed equivalent by the Office of the Registrar to the Columbia College ENGL 133W course.
  • Successful completion of high school in the United States from an accredited institution.
  • Successful completion of an English language GED or HiSET exam.
  • Successful completion of a bachelor’s or master’s degree in the United States from an accredited institution.
  • Serving as an active duty, reserve or National Guard military member in any branch of the US armed forces (Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Air Force, Army, or Navy). Veterans who have served honorably on active duty in the armed forces are also included in this provision.
  • Successful completion of specified programs with approved partnerships.
  • Readmission to Columbia College, who have previously met English Proficiency requirements.

Applicants from Antigua & Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Canada (All Canadian provinces except Quebec), Dominica, Fiji, Grenada, Ireland, Jamaica, Malta, New Zealand, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & Grenadines, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and Trinidad & Tobago are not required to submit proof of English proficiency.

 

1 Submitted results cannot be older than two years prior to the desired enrollment date.

2 Includes MyBest Scores, which is the sum of the highest section scores form all valid test dates for a super score. If admitted to the Columbia Main Campus Day Program under the requirements for additional English Language Support, students will take one or two semesters of courses in our English for Academic Purposes (EAP) program. Upon successfully completing this program, students will have no other requirements or conditions for continued study.

3 Minimum score subject to change based on recommendations by the America Council on Education.

Admissions

573.875.7515

Admissions@CCIS.edu

Whether you have questions about application requirements, want to learn more about our programs, or need someone to offer direction for next steps, our dedicated admissions team is here to help.

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