English Language Proficiency Requirement (ELPR)

All new freshmen and transfer students must satisfy an English language proficiency requirement upon enrolling at the University of Washington Seattle campus.

Students who enter the UW with one of the following qualifying tests or programs will have satisfied the requirement:

  1. A minimum score on one of several qualifying standardized tests
  2. Completion of a qualifying associate degree from a Washington community college
  3. Successful completion of the UW Intensive English Program

Qualifying Standardized Test Scores

Minimum Score Test
490 SAT: Critical Reading (SAT CR) score or Writing (SAT W) score
21 ACT: Combined English/Writing (ACT E/W) score
7.0 IELTS (overall score of all sections)
70 TOEFL iBT (Internet version)
(total of reading, writing, listening sections only, not speaking)
237 TOEFL CBT (computer version)
580 TOEFL PBT (paper version)

Qualifying Washington Associate Degrees

An approved academic associate degree from a Washington community college is defined as the sending institution's direct transfer agreement associate degree (DTA). Qualifying degrees (often titled as an Associate of Arts or an Associate of Arts and Sciences) are those that are recorded on an official community college transcript with a designation of "DTA." The associate of science transfer degree is also a qualifying degree. The degree must be conferred prior to enrolling at the UW.

DELNA Screening

All new freshmen and transfer students entering the UW without a qualifying test score, or completion of a qualifying associate degree, or UW IEP program are required to take an English language proficiency screening test prior to being eligible to register for classes. The screening test, called the DELNA, requires approximately 30 minutes for completion and must be taken on the first day of the new student's advising and orientation program.

English Language Proficiency Requirement (ELPR)

Students who do not enter the UW with qualifying standardized test scores or program completion as described above, and who do NOT achieve the minimum score on the DELNA will be directed to (a) participate in a mandatory advising program, and/or (b) to complete one or more required courses through the Academic English Program (AEP). Students with AEP course requirements must continue to register for these courses each succeeding quarter until the prescribed sequence of courses is completed. Get more information at the AEP website.

Policy Proviso

The English language proficiency requirement has been adopted as an interim policy beginning autumn quarter 2009. The policy is subject to change and is expected to undergo faculty review in 2011.