The University attracts talented international graduate students with diverse background from around the world that are often selected as teaching and research assistants. To ensure effective collaboration in this diverse intellectual community, the University expects that all international graduate teaching assistants (ITAs) have the necessary English proficiency to communicate effectively in their instructional duties.

All international graduate teaching assistants employed in classroom or laboratory settings–whether as teaching assistants, instructors, or lecturers–are responsible for certifying that they have the necessary English proficiency required for their teaching assignments.

The certification requirement can be met in several ways:

A transcript demonstrating completion of three or more years of undergraduate and/or graduate study at a university in an English-speaking country, such as the US, Canada, Great Britain, Australia, New Zealand and Belize;
An overall score of 65 or higher on the Versant Test;
Submit an overall score of 55-64 on the Versant Test and demonstrate teaching effectiveness, either through a departmental teaching evaluation.

International Graduate Teaching Assistants who do not meet the above requirement must enroll in a course offered by the English Language Studies (ELS) Program. ITAs who score below a 65 on the Versant Test may be assigned teaching tasks, however, they must successfully complete one semester of ELS coursework–ELS 512 (fall) or ELS 612 (spring)–and pass a teaching assessment before their English proficiency can be certified.

Graduate Assistants (GAs) or Research Assistants (RAs) do not need to take the English proficiency test, but will be expected to take the test at a later date if given a TA position. All graduate students are eligible to enroll in English courses whether or not you have an assistantship.

TA Proficiency Policy

For information on the TA English language test, contact the School of Education at 401-874-4068.

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English Proficiency for Teaching Assistants

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