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English Language Proficiency FAQs
What is the Difference between Verification and Certification?
ELP Verification is required for admission to the university and for course registration.ELP Certification is required for an international graduate student to be eligible for hire in any other role classified as a teaching position.
Who Must Obtain ELP Verification?
All international students are required to submit proof of English language proficiency to be eligible for admissions and registration. For guidelines on which applicants are considered international students, visit the International Graduate page on the Office of Admissions website.Which Countries' Citizens Automatically Meet the English Language Proficiency Verification Requirement?
The Office of Admissions will automatically verify citizens of certain English-speaking countries. The Office of Admissions' International Graduate page maintains a complete list of countries.How Long Are Test Scores Valid?
Scores from TOEFL and IELTS administered more than two years before submission of the admissions application are not eligible for use in attaining ELP Verification or Certification.Who Must Obtain ELP Certification?
International Students who want to hold an assistantship with teaching or curricular support duties (GAT or GAL) are required by the State of Texas to obtain ELP Certification.How Can I Obtain Eligibility to Teach?
Students may obtain ELP Certification by achieving requisite scores on a global standardized test or by Alternative Certification.When Must ELP Certification for a Teaching Position be Attained?
ELP Certification (Level 1 Eligible or Level 2 Conditionally Eligible) must be demonstrated prior to the date of hire.I Have Already Been Enrolled and Want to Hold a Graduate Assistant Teaching Position, but I Don't Have Level 1 Certification. How Can I Meet the ELP Certification Requirement for Teaching?
International graduate students who wish to serve in graduate assistant teaching positions and did not meet the Certification Requirement prior to enrollment can do so by passing a global standardized test or the English Language Proficiency Exam (ELPE) offered by Testing Services at Texas A&M.Can Level 2 (Conditionally Eligible) Students Hold Graduate Teaching Positions?
International graduate students at Level 2 are considered Conditionally Eligible and may receive employment for one semester only. During the semester of Conditional Eligibility, the student must participate in the CTE-ELP Program. The student must achieve Level 1 Certification by the end of the semester of employment, before the hiring date for the next semester.If the student has not achieved Level 1 Certification before the hiring date for the next semester, the employing unit will have the opportunity to move the employee to a Graduate Assistant Non-Teaching (GANT), Graduate Assistant Researcher (GAR), or another non-teaching role. For those students who do not meet the ELP requirement and are not transferred to a non-teaching position, the Graduate and Professional School will recommend termination to be processed by the Division of Human Resources and Organizational Effectiveness (HROE). The student will be Ineligible for rehire until Level 1 Certification has been achieved.