Academic Requirements

English Language Proficiency

Students participating in courses offered solely by UCLA Extension must meet the English Language Requirements outlined below. 

Accepted Tests and Minimum Scores

Scores that are equal to or higher than the listed minimum scores from the following tests, taken within the past two years, can satisfy the English proficiency requirement.

• TOEFL: 80 (iBT or Home Edition)
• IELTS: 6.5
• iTEP: 5.0
• Cambridge English Qualifications: C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency; score of 170 or above
• CEFR: C1
• CET-4 (China): 530
• CET-6: 500
• DAAD: 3 or above/B2
• GEPT: High intermediate
• GRE (verbal): 140
• LanguageCert Academic: 70
• TOEIC: 685 (Listening & Reading or Speaking & Writing)
• Duolingo English Test (DET): 115

English Language Exam Exemptions

Students may be exempted from the English language exam requirement if proficiency is attested by academic experience based on the below circumstances:

• The student is a citizen of a country from the Country Exemptions list below
• The student declares English is their second language and provides an official academic transcript showing documentation of completing instruction from a high school, university, or college in an English-speaking country as listed below; or at another accredited school, university or college in the U.S., or at a high school, university, or college where the curriculum is taught in English, within the last two years
• The student declares English is their second language and provides an official academic transcript showing attainment of or impending graduation from an undergraduate or graduate degree from a university or college in an English-speaking country as listed below or at another accredited school, university or college in the U.S.; or at a high school, university, or college where the curriculum is taught in English, within the last two years
• The student is in the International Baccalaureate (IB) foundation or is currently enrolled in an academic institution where the primary language of instruction is English and provides an official academic transcript or verification of enrollment from their school, within the last two years.

During Your Program

The following requirements apply when you are enrolled in a Certificate Program at UCLA Extension. They are not admission requirements. 

Required Units

Credit-bearing courses carry a unit value. You must enroll in at least 12 academic units in your program by the first day of each quarter to maintain your student visa status. Of the 12 units, at least 8 units must be in the classroom with no more than one, four-unit online class to count toward your minimum full-time course load.

All courses must be taken ‘For Credit/Letter Grade’ to count towards the 12 units required to maintain F-1 visa status.

We recommend you enroll early. Courses fill quickly. If you are unable to enroll in the required minimum of 12 units, you will jeopardize your F-1 visa status.

View enrollment start dates on the academic calendar.

Advanced Standing and Course Waivers

In your first quarter, you can petition to have required or elective courses waived if you have completed the coursework elsewhere. You must submit certified academic transcripts to your academic advisor. If a waiver is granted, you will be credited with units of advanced standing allowing you to finish your program sooner. You will be able to discuss advanced standing and course waivers with your certificate program advisor. An approved course waiver does not replace the 12-unit full-time registration requirement to maintain your F-1 visa status.

Required Grade Point Average (GPA)

Certificate students must pass all required courses and maintain a minimum GPA as required by your certificate program. The minimum GPA varies for each program. Contact the certificate program advisor for the GPA you need to maintain in your program or view the grading details on the grading scale.

Earned F grades do not count toward your GPA so you must retake any course in which you receive a grade of F. Your allotted time for study remains the same. You may have to skip a vacation quarter to complete your program on time and bring your GPA up to the required minimum.