Admission of International (Visa) Undergraduate Students
(Senate: 12/9/80, 8/5/86, 2/10/02; President: 3/5/81, 5/5/87, 5/19/04; Editorial Amendment: 8/01, 1/21/15)
International (visa) students (and all others who are not permanent U.S. residents) will be admitted to Cal
State L.A. only if they meet one of the following requirements:
1. Completion of two years of acceptable college work (56 semester units or equivalent) with a
minimum 2.4 grade point average as evaluated by the University (A=4.0), an acceptable course in
English composition, speech, critical thinking, and mathematics with a minimum grade of C in each
course, and a minimum 550 paper-based or 213 computer-based score on the Test of English as a
Foreign Language (TOEFL);or
2. Graduation from a foreign high school where the language of instruction was not exclusively English,
(with a minimum 3.0 grade point average/equivalent to a U.S. B average, as evaluated by the
University), a minimum 2.4 grade point average in any college work attempted (as evaluated by the
University), and a minimum 550 paper-based or 213 computer-based TOEFL score. The academic
eligibility requirement for high school work is the same as for graduates of high schools in California,
although submission of ACT or SAT scores is not necessary, unless specifically requested by the
University. Foreign high school equivalencies will be determined by the University; or
3. Graduation from a foreign high school where the language of instruction was not exclusively English,
(with a minimum 3.0 grade point average/equivalent to a U.S. B average, as evaluated by the
University), and a minimum 550 paper-based or 213 computer-based TOEFL score. The academic
eligibility requirement is the same as for graduates of high schools in California, although submission
of ACT or SAT scores is not necessary. Foreign high school equivalencies will be determined by the
University.
The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required of all students, regardless of citizenship,
who have not attended schools at the high school level or above for at least three full years of full-time
study where English is the principal language of instruction. The TOEFL exam may be taken as a paper
exam or via computer.
The Admissions Office will consider variation from the stated minimum TOEFL score requirement only for
those students who have a 3.0 grade point average as evaluated by the University and whose TOEFL
score is not more than ten points below the stated minimum for the paper-based test, and not more than
six points below the state minimum for the computer-based test. In exceptional cases the Director of
Admissions and Records may waive the TOEFL requirement upon the recommendation of the applicant’s
major department/division/school.
The Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (BCIS) requires F-1 visa undergraduate students to
carry a minimum study load of 9 semester units. International students must have advance proof of
adequate financial resources, be in good health, and comply with all University and U.S. and BCIS
regulations. The University international student office should be consulted for information on visas,
housing and related matters.
Application forms for international students, available from the Admissions Office, should be filed at least
six months before the beginning of the desired semester of attendance.