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English Proficiency Requirement, UC Merced-Mexico Undergraduate Climate Research Program

To be eligible for the UC Merced-Mexico Undergraduate Climate Research Program, all participants must be able to demonstrate English language proficiency in accordance with US State Department's English proficiency requirement for J-1 visiting scholars:

"The exchange visitor possesses sufficient proficiency in the English language, as determined by an objective measurement of English language proficiency, succesfully to participate in his or her program and to function on a day to day basis. A sponsor must verify an applicant's English language proficiency through a recognized English language test, by signed documentation from an academic institution or English language school, or through a documented interview conducted by the sponsor either in-person or by videoconferencing or by telephone if videoconferencing is not a viable option" [22 CFR 62.10(a)(2)]. 

There are three methods in which a J-1 can comply with the English proficiency requirement;

1. Certification by providing a copy of test scores from a UC Merced-approved English proficiency test

  • IELTS overall band score of 7 or higher
  • TOEFL test score must be at least 550 (paper based), 213 (computer based) or 68 (internet based iBT)
  • The test must have been taken within the past 5 years

2. Certification by from an academic institution or English language school

  • Provide a letter/certificate verifying the exchange visitor possesses English language proficiency high enough to function within the UC Merced position and within the local U.S. community
  • The letter must be on letterhead and in English and dated within the past 2 years
  • The letter/certficate must include a signature from a school official

3. Certification by the Sponsoring Professor

  • The host professor may conduct an interview with the prospective J-1 visiting scholar, either in-person, by video conference, or by telephone. The host professor would use their discretion to determine if the scholar has sufficient English skills to function at UC Merced and the local U.S. community. The professor needs to complete the Certification of English Language Proficiency form (provided by UC Merced), attesting to completing the interview.