English Language Requirement for Health and Wellness Programs

All health care workers (native and non-native US English speakers alike) are expected to use clear communication skills in the workplace. Students whose native language is not US English are expected to demonstrate "near-native" US English language abilities. There are three options to choose from to confirm this ability if you have attended school in another country and/or English is not the primary language spoken at home:

  1. Take the Duolingo English Test and score 100 points or higher, or
  2. Submit TOEFL iBT scores, meeting a minimum score in listening/speaking, or
  3. Complete EFL courses in the areas of listening/speaking with a score of 80 percent or higher.
     

When registering for the Duolingo or TOEFL iBT tests, students should indicate that test results be sent to Â鶹¾«Æ·ÔÚÏß²¥·Ånical Community College, ID# DI 5172. An image of test results (JPEG, PDF or PNG) should also be uploaded to their Health and Wellness program application when applying. Scores will be reviewed by The English for Academic Purposes department. If there are any questions, students will be contacted via email with their next steps.

Option 1: Duolingo English Test (DET)

Take the Duolingo English Test (DET) and have an overall score of 100 points or higher.

Please note that the DET is not administered on the Â鶹¾«Æ·ÔÚÏß²¥·Å campus, and students must have access to a computer with reliable internet, a front facing webcam, microphone, and speakers. View and access to the testing and practice site.

If students do not have access to the technology needed to take the Duolingo test, they may request to take the test in the Â鶹¾«Æ·ÔÚÏß²¥·Å testing center or the Center for the Global Learner computer lab. When registering for the test, students should indicate that test results should be sent directly to Â鶹¾«Æ·ÔÚÏß²¥·Ånical Community College.

Duolingo scores may be used for placement within two years from the date taken. If test scores are older than two years, students must retest unless continuously enrolled. Continuously enrolled is defined as not missing three or more consecutive semesters of enrollment in courses. 

Option 2: Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)

Take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), iBT version. Students must earn at least the following minimum scores on the TOEFL iBT:

  • Listening – 22
  • Speaking – 26

Please note that the TOEFL iBT is not administered on the Â鶹¾«Æ·ÔÚÏß²¥·Å campus. Students must make their own arrangements to take the TOEFL iBT. Practice questions, test information, dates, and testing sites are located at . There is a fee to take the TOEFL iBT.

When registering for the test, students should indicate that test results be sent to Â鶹¾«Æ·ÔÚÏß²¥·Ånical Community College, ID# DI 5172. Photocopies of TOEFL Score Reports are not valid.

TOEFL scores may be used for placement within two years from the date taken. If test scores are older than two years, students must retest unless continuously enrolled. Continuously enrolled is defined as not missing three or more consecutive semesters of enrollment in courses.

Option 3: Enroll in EFL courses

If a student does not achieve the required score on the DET or TOEFL iBT tests or if the student opts not to take one of those tests, then the student may enroll in one or more of the curriculum EFL courses designed to improve academic speaking and listening proficiency. If the student is not currently enrolled or does not have reading and writing placement test scores, then the student will have to take the placement test for reading and writing to be placed into the correct EFL courses. If a student places below curriculum level in reading or writing, then the student would take the appropriate level EFL reading and writing courses based on their scores. In addition, EFL 055 English for Special Purposes and/or EFL 064 Listening/Speaking would be required to meet the listening/speaking requirement for the Health and Wellness English Language Requirement. In some cases, students may be encouraged or required to take both courses, depending on their level of speaking and listening.

NOTE: The student must achieve a grade of 80 percent or higher in the required courses to meet the language requirement for application to a Health and Wellness program. The Health and Wellness department is then informed that the student has met the English language proficiency requirement.

IMPORTANT: Students applying to the Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) or Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) programs must provide documentation annually regarding how they meet the English language requirement was met with EACH competitive admissions application. Students must meet the applicable version as defined in this procedure. 

Learn more about the English Language Requirement Frequently Asked Questions.