Computing and Software Systems -Admissions

Academic English Proficiency Requirement

The UW Bothell Computing and Software Systems (CSS) Program requires all undergraduate students who are not US Citizens to demonstrate academic English proficiency.

Students who have the immigration status of Resident, Immigrant, or Refugee and whose primary/secondary education is not from an exempting country (see Exception below), must first meet all UWB and CSS admission requirements. After admission to CSS, non-native speakers of English must demonstrate English language proficiency prior to registering for CSS 301, CSS 342, CSS 350 and CSS 360.

Newly admitted CSS students who originate from non-exempt countries may demonstrate English proficiency by completing the University of Washington Diagnostic English Proficiency Test OR they may submit the minimum score listed from ANY ONE of the following tests:

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL):
Paper Based TOEFL: 580
Internet Based TOEFL: 70
Computerized TOEFL: 237
Michigan Language Test (MLT): 90
Advanced Placement International English Language (APIEL): AP4
UW-Administered Diagnostic English Proficiency Test: ESL Exemption

Exception: Only those CSS students whose primary and secondary education took place in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, or the United Kingdom will be presumed to be proficient and will not be required to submit scores. Students who were born in a native English-speaking country but were educated in a non-native English-speaking country will, however, be required to satisfy the English proficiency requirement.

To demonstrate proficiency, newly admitted CSS students must submit official results from the tests listed above.

All exam results must be official and sent directly from the testing agency.
No other exams may be used to satisfy the proficiency requirement.
Results from the UW administered MLT will be reported directly to the UWB Admission Office.
Previous English as a Second Language (ESL) or English composition courses, even when taken in the United States will not satisfy the English proficiency requirement for admission. Students enrolled at US high schools or colleges are required to submit official exam results to fulfill the proficiency requirement.

How to Submit Test Scores

Scores must be sent directly from the testing agency to UWB. Score reports provided to you by the testing agency (examinees' copies in the case of TOEFL, student copies in the case of APIEL) or photocopies of score reports will not be accepted.
Make sure that the name on your score report matches exactly the name you give on your admission application form. Even a slight difference in the name will prevent scores from being matched to your application file. If there are any differences, be sure to notify the UWB Admission Office.

Special Instructions for TOEFL

Institutional TOEFLs administered by other colleges/universities will NOT be accepted.
TOEFL scores are valid only for two years after a student has taken the exam. If scores are more than two years old, the student will need to take the exam again.

TOEFL
P. O. Box 6154
Princeton, NJ 08541-6154
USA

Further Academic English Language Coursework at the UW for Graduation

Applicants who are offered admission to CSS will be admitted as matriculated students, but until they demonstrate proof of adequate academic English proficiency they will be precluded from registering from CSS 301, CSS 342, CSS 350 and CSS 360. These CSS students will also be precluded from registering for classes that require CSS 301, 342, 350 and 360 as prerequisites.

This requirement is intended to elevate a studentÕs command of English to the level required to be successful in an academic setting.

Students who have been admitted to CSS will be required to register for Academic English Program (AEP) courses at the UW Seattle campus unless they submit exam scores high enough to place them out of the requirement prior to registering for regular classes at the UW.

A diagnostic exam is available to determine the appropriate level at which to start AEP course work within the sequence. An extra fee is charged for each AEP course on top of regular tuition; that extra fee is currently $560 per course. At least one AEP course will be required each quarter until all mandatory AEP classes are satisfactorily completed. Students required to take AEP must register for their AEP class first, before they can register for any other classes.