2023-2024 Seminary and Graduate Catalog

English Language Proficiency Policy

An English language proficiency exam (TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo) will be required of any non-citizen international applicant applying to LBC | Capital in order to show proof of English language proficiency. Proof of English language proficiency is required before the issuance of the I-20 (Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status) form, used to apply for an F-1 student visa. Applicants must submit official copies of their scores during the admission process.

Minimum Qualifying Scores:
The following scores are acceptable for admission to Lancaster Bible College | Capital Seminary & Graduate School:

 

  Undergraduate  Seminary/Graduate  Doctoral 
TOEFL  69 79 100
IELTS 6.5 7.0  7.5 
Duolingo 95  105  120 

Exemptions:
Citizens from the following countries are exempt:

Canada Dominica 
 Australia Grand Turks and Caicos Islands 
The United Kingdom  Grenada 
Antiqua and Barbuda  Guyana 
Bahamas Jamaica
Barbados Saint Lucia
Bermuda Trinidad and Tobago 
British Virgin Islands  St. Vincent & the Grenadines 
Cayman Islands   

*The exemptions above may be reviewed by the admissions staff on a case-by-case basis, if the counselor deems a proficiency score necessary to make a final admissions decision.

Waivers:
The English language proficiency exam may be waived if the following conditions are met:

• An applicant receives an admissible score on the SAT (960 combined with at least a 480 in Reading), ACT (19 combined with at least a 19 in Reading) or CLT (62 combined with at least a 21 in Grammar/Writing)

• An applicant completes at least two years of high school in an English-speaking setting, including two years of high school English courses (non-ESL) with satisfactory grades (Undergraduate Students)

• An applicant has earned at least 24 credits -- 1 full academic year – at a regionally accredited US college or university (or an institution abroad where the sole language of instruction is English, and in a country where English is the primary spoken language)

The student must also meet the following conditions:

o A cumulative GPA of 2.75 or above
o Earned a “C” or higher in a college level English course
o The academic record has been reviewed by the Admissions Committee and determined eligible for the waiver

• An applicant participates in a faculty member conducted interview to determine an equivalent English language proficiency. The faculty member conducting the interview will have knowledge of English language learners and will document their findings to determine if sufficient English language proficiency exists to meet an equivalent exam standard. Results will be documented

• An applicant provides proof of citizenship and residency from an English country not included in the exemptions

• An applicant has earned a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree at a regionally accredited US college or university (or an institution abroad where the sole language of instruction is English, and in a country where English is the primary spoken language), and the student meets the specific GPA requirements for the LBC | Capital seminary, graduate, or doctoral programs. See the college catalog for program specific GPA/program requirements