The CESL Endorsement is a process whereby CESL certifies that a student has achieved sufficient English proficiency for undergraduate or graduate study. CESL offers two types of endorsements: the CESL Undergraduate Endorsement (accepted for all undergraduate majors) and the CESL Graduate Endorsement
Students typically spend two 8-week sessions in University Track, though you may request endorsement after one session if the session is Spring 2, Summer, or Fall 2 (sessions that are followed immediately by a University admission cycle).
To receive a CESL endorsement, you must enroll and complete one of the University Track Pathway Programs (listed below), then apply for your endorsement.
Undergraduate University Track Pathway Program
- The Undergraduate University Track Pathway (U-Track Pathway) is CESL’s pathway/bridge program. It features a content-based curriculum designed for students conditionally-admitted to the University of Arizona. Students learn content similar to what they will encounter in their first year as undergraduate students and thereby improve their language abilities. They also enroll in a CESL-supported general education course for credit; this course will count toward any major at University of Arizona.
Enrolling in CESL U-Track Pathway gives students up to 3 semesters to meet the English proficiency requirement for full admission into the University of Arizona.
Graduate University Track Pathway Program
- The Graduate University Track Pathway Program provides graduate-bound students with advanced-level English courses, which are specifically designed to prepare them for the rigors of graduate-level course work. In addition to their ESL courses, students sit in on a UA graduate course in their intended field of study (with department approval) and receive support from a CESL instructor.
Who can apply to get the CESL Endorsement?
It is offered to currently enrolled, full-time CESL students, in good standing, who have completed at least one full, 8-week session with us. CESL Endorsement is accepted to meet the UA English language admission requirement for conditional admission. The CESL Endorsement replaces the need for TOEFL or IELTS.
Graduate criteria for CESL Endorsement
- CESL Graduate Endorsement: Students must be in the Graduate University Track Pathway Program to apply for Graduate School Endorsement
- High spoken and written language proficiency based on CESL's field-specific proficiency exams (minimum B2 on the Common European Framework Scale)
- A high GPA for consideration (e.g.: 3.0 or higher)
- Positive feedback forms from instructors
- It is strongly recommended that students obtain a completed Graduate Approval Form from an authorized advisor in the department where they are seeking enrollment to ensure Endorsement will be accepted to fulfill the English requirement BEFORE they apply.
Endorsement Costs
Endorsement is provided upon completion of a University Track program ending prior to an admittance term at the University of Arizona. If a student wants to endorse off-cycle or early, there is a fee if the staffing for the endorsement process is available:
- $25 Undergraduate Application
$50 Graduate Application
The CESL Endorsement process
- Student meets Endorsement criteria to apply
- Student applies for Endorsement (click here for the online application) by end of week 5 of current session
- Student meets the criteria outlined above
- A committee of CESL faculty reviews the Endorsement application at the end of the 8-week session
- If granted, CESL sends the letter of Endorsement to Graduate College for qualifying students
Why accept the CESL Endorsement?
- Rigorous English study
- Over 20 hours of intensive English instruction per week
- Skills developed: speaking, writing, reading, vocabulary, listening, and grammar
- CESL is CEA accredited for quality teaching and quality curriculum
Matriculation process into UA credit classes
- Student’s admission status changes from conditional to regular status
- A new I-20 or DS2019 immigration documentation is issued to study in degree program at the UA
- Student matriculates fully into credit classes
University of Arizona graduate programs that have verified acceptance of the CESL Graduate Endorsement*
| College | Program |
| College of Agriculture and Life Sciences | Soil, Water, and Environmental Science Department |
| College of Architecture, Planning & Landscape Architecture | Landscape Architecture |
| Planning | |
| College of Education | Language, Reading & Culture |
| Educational Psychology | |
| College of Engineering | Systems & Industrial Engineering |
| College of Optical Sciences | Optical Sciences |
| College of Social & Behavioral Sciences | Journalism |
| Eller College of Management | Finance |
| MIS | |
| MSBA | |
| Accounting | |
| Marketing | |
| Mel & Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health | MPH |
*Most graduate programs accept endorsement. This list shows departments that have taken the step of verifying acceptance.