English Language Policy
Per regulation, J-1 Exchange Visitors must demonstrate "sufficient proficiency in the English language, as determined by an objective measurement of English language proficiency, to successfully participate in an exchange visitor program and to function on a day-to-day basis."
A prospective J-1 Exchange Visitor (EV) can establish sufficient proficiency in the English language by submitting or completing one of the following:
TOEFL completed within the last 2 years with a minimum score of 90
IELTS completed within the last 2 years with a minimum score of 6.5
Scholar Oral Proficiency Assessment (SOPA) administered by the Stevens’ English Language Communications (ELC) department with a minimum score of 4.0. To request the SOPA, please complete and submit the SOPA Request Form to the ELC department.
Prospective EVs who score between 3.5 and 3.9 on the SOPA may participate in the exchange program but will be required to have additional language support.
Prospective EVs who score below 3.5 on the SOPA will not be able to participate in the exchange program.
Prospective EVs who will be teaching courses as part of their program must achieve a minimum score of 4.5 on the SOPA, 95 on the TOEFL, or 7 on the IELTS.
Prospective EVs in the J-1 Student or J-1 Student Intern category can establish sufficient proficiency in the English language by submitting a TOEFL or IELTS score completed within the last two years. They also have an option to complete additional English language training as part of their exchange program.
Students who apply without submitting a TOEFL or IELTS standardized English language test score must take the Student Oral Proficiency Assessment (SOPA) administered by the Stevens’ English Language Communications (ELC) department and must submit a writing sample.
Students who achieve the following total scores will require no additional language support:
86 on TOEFL
6.5 on IELTS
4.0 on SOPA and 4.0 on the writing sample
Students with a score between 80 and 85 on TOEFL, 6 on IELTS will be required to take the Student Oral Proficiency Assessment (SOPA) administered by the Stevens’ English Language Communications (ELC) department. Based on the results of the SOPA, and the TOEFL or IELTS sub-scores, participants will be required to take one of the following courses:
CAL 101
ELC 71
ELC 81
ELC 91
Students with a score between 3.5 and 3.9 on the SOPA and between 3.5 and 3.9 on the writing sample will be required to take one of the following courses:
CAL 101
ELC 71
Students with a score between 3.5 and 3.9 on the SOPA and between 4.0 and 5.0 on the writing sample will be required to take one of the following courses:
ELC 81
ELC 91
Students who score below 80 on the TOEFL or 6 on the IELTS will not be able to participate in the exchange program.