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International Programs

English Language Requirements

NO TOEFL Policy

Skagit Valley College does not require student applications to have a TOEFL score. Effective August 2015, student applications taking advantage of our NO TOEFL policy will be issued an I-20 for Language Training until proficiency has been met.

If you do not have an English proficiency test score (TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo) you will be given an English Placement
Test before registering for classes. Students whose test results show skills adequate for college work will be excused
from English as a Second Language (ESL). Others will be required to take ESL classes until the language requirements
have been met.

The results of the English Placement Test will determine your placement in any one of the following areas of study:
Intensive English, Bridge 1, Bridge 2, or Regular.

If you have a TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo score, the charts below show your placement:

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)

Score Ranges Internet-based
Intensive English English Placement Test
Bridge 1 English Placement Test
Bridge 2 English Placement Test
Regular (College Level) 61 and Above

 

International English Language Testing System (IELTS)

Intensive English English Placement Test
Bridge 1 English Placement Test
Bridge 2 English Placement Test
Regular (College Level) 5.5 and above in each sub-test

 

Duolingo

Intensive English English Placement Test
Bridge 1 English Placement Test
Bridge 2 English Placement Test
Regular (College Level) 90 and above in each sub-test
  • Intensive English: You can be placed in one of three levels. Each level takes three months (one quarter) to complete.
  • Bridge 1: Students in Bridge 1 are considered matriculated college students. Classes at the Bridge 1 level consist of a combination of academic and English preparatory classes. These classes are pre-selected and some count toward your graduation requirement for your degree.
  • Bridge 2: Like Bridge 1, these classes are a combination of academic and English preparatory. In addition, you have the flexibility to select classes that meet your graduation requirements.
  • Regular (College Level): Students will be allowed to take regular SVC courses.

 

Questions

Do you have questions about the different program levels? Answers to questions below are linked to the Frequently Asked Section of our website. For any other questions, please send an email to International.Admissions@skagit.edu.

You are considered a Skagit Valley College student although you may start your degree with your training in the Intensive English Language Program. Only one I-20 is issued for your degree at Skagit Valley College.

Yes! You can study EAP for a minimum of 5 weeks.

No, students will be given an English placement test upon arrival. English training will be given if needed to meet the English language proficiency to progress to the Associate degree program. If a student receives an appropriate English proficiency score, the student will be moved into the Associate degree program.

Bridge 1 consists of two Academic ESL classes in grammar composition and reading, a voice improvement class, and typically students will begin their math courses at this level. This is a total of 17 credits. Of these 17 credits, 11 are considered college-level credits. These classes are pre-selected for you and your schedule is fixed.

Bridge 2 consists of two Academic ESL classes in English and grammar composition, a Communication course and an Orientation to College Success Skills class. These classes are pre-selected for you and your schedule is fixed.

The Regular Program gives you more flexibility to choose classes from all areas of your graduation requirements. Prior to taking classes, all students (including American students) who have not worked through the EAP program, are required to take a college placement test (Accuplacer). The Accuplacer test determines both English and Math levels including pre-requisite requirements for college-level classes. If you are a new SVC student, you will also be required to take an Orientation to College Success class.