To complete graduate academic study in the United States successfully, you will need to be able to read, write and communicate orally in English with a high degree of proficiency. English language proficiency is a requirement for gaining admission to U.S. institutions of higher education as well as for achieving your academic and personal goals while in the United States.

Assessment of English Language Proficiency : To determine your level of English language proficiency, arrange to take the TOEFL as early as possible -- at least a year before you plan to enroll. Most institutions require a score of 550 to 600 on the TOEFL examination for graduate academic admission. A few accept scores as low as 500.

Even if you already have basic English proficiency, a college or university may require you to take courses to improve your mastery of American English, academic usage or research and study skills. If you studied English under the British system, you may find that U.S. vocabulary and usage are quite different.

If you are applying for a teaching assistantship, the university may ask you to demonstrate your proficiency in spoken English, which the TOEFL examination does not test. The Test of Spoken English (TSE), often required for this purpose, is offered less frequently and at fewer centers than TOEFL; so allow several additional months for the application process if you are applying for a teaching assistantship.