ESL Pathways Program

International students applying for admission to Baltimore City Community College (BCCC) on an F-1 student visa have two options based on their English proficiency: 

1. Begin directly in an academic program, if they meet English proficiency requirements. 

2. Start in the ESL Pathway Program, which allows students to improve their English while taking academic courses. 

Direct Admission to an Academic Program  

To begin at the academic program level, students must demonstrate English proficiency through one or more of the following: 

• Submit a passport from an English-speaking country (see list below). 

• Submit transcripts from a U.S.-based college or university showing: 

• A passing grade in English Composition, or 

• Completion of a bachelor’s degree or higher coursework. 

• Submit official English proficiency test scores. 

Minimum Test Scores for Direct Admission to an Academic Program  

Test	Minimum Score
ACCUPLACER Reading & English	263
ACCUPLACER ESL	420
IELTS	6.0
TOEFL (paper-based)	550
TOEFL (computer-based)	213
TOEFL (Internet-based)	79

 

ESL Pathway Program Admission 

Students who do not yet meet full English proficiency requirements may begin in the ESL Pathway Program, which allows them to: 

• Improve English proficiency through ESL courses. 

• Start academic coursework while completing ESL requirements (for students in the top two ESL levels). 

• Transition automatically into their academic program upon successful completion of the ESL Pathway Program. Proof of sufficient financial support will be required during this transition to your full academic program. 

Minimum Test Scores for ESL Pathway Program Entry 

Test	Minimum Score
ACCUPLACER Reading & English	N/A
ACCUPLACER ESL	290
IELTS	5.0
TOEFL (paper-based)	450
TOEFL (computer-based)	133
TOEFL (internet-based)	46

Students who do not meet the English proficiency levels for admission are encouraged to discuss their options with an international student adviser: international@bccc.edu, www.bccc.edu/international.     

Countries where English is the official and primary language: 

• Antigua and Barbuda 
• Australia 
• The Bahamas 
• Barbados 
• Belize 
• Bermuda 
• Botswana 
• Cameroon 
• Canada 
• Cayman Islands 
• Dominica 
• Eswatini 
• Fiji 
• The Gambia 
• Ghana 
• Grenada 
• Guyana 
• India 
• Ireland 
• Jamaica 
• Kenya 
• Lesotho 
• Liberia 
• Malawi 
• Mauritius 
• Micronesia 
• Montserrat 
• New Zealand 
• Nigeria 
• Pakistan 
• Papua New Guinea 
• The Philippines 
• Saint Kitts and Nevis 
• Saint Lucia 
• Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 
• Samoa 
• Seychelles 
• Sierra Leone 
• Singapore 
• Solomon Islands 
• South Africa 
• St. Helena 
• Tanzania 
• Trinidad and Tobago 
• Tuvalu 
• Uganda 
• United Kingdom 
• U.S. Virgin Islands 
• Zambia 
• Zimbabwe