Academic Pathway to Towson University
The Academic Pathway to Towson University (APTU) supports international and non-native English speaking undergraduate students by combining academic studies with high-quality instruction in English.
What if I Don't Meet the English Proficiency Requirement?
If you do not meet Towson’s English proficiency requirement for direct undergraduate admission, you have two options:
- Take the Academic Pathway to Towson University Program, with a combination of intensive academic English and university courses.
- Study exclusively in our Intensive English Language Program until you successfully complete level 5, meeting the English proficiency requirement.
Why Choose the APTU Program?
The program provides international and non-native English-speaking undergraduate students the opportunity to begin their academic studies at Towson University supported by highly qualified and experienced English language teaching specialists.
The academic pathway increases your chances of success at Towson University with English courses designed to support your academic development and faculty mentors who understand the challenges of learning a second language and adjusting to a foreign academic culture.
Undergraduate students can earn up to 18 university-level credits while taking intensive academic English coursework.
You will be a part of a rich 150-year tradition at Towson University, experiencing the opportunity to study with world-renowned professors and faculty mentors driven to see you succeed.
Eligibility & Participation Requirements
If you are academically admissible to Towson University, but your English proficiency test scores are just below the requirements for direct admission, then APTU is for you.
Academic Pathway Options to Towson University Courses
| LEVEL | Placement level | TU requirements for aptu courses | course schedule & design |
|---|---|---|---|
| APTU 1 |
a) Passing all level 4 at the ELC Intensive English language core. b) Placing directly in APTU 1 (fulfills all APTU 1 requirements) |
- Conditional admission to TU as undergraduate student. - TOEFL IBT 50 / TOEFL ITP 475 / IELTS 5.0 (no more than 2 years old) |
APTU 1 is comprised of 75% English for Academic Purposes (EAP) classes and 25% credit - bearing Gen Ed/Core Curriculum courses at the 100 and 200 level |
Students must pass all APTU 1 courses with a B before continuing on to APTU 2
| APTU 2 |
a) Coming from APTU 1 course b) Placing directly into APTU 2 (fulfills all APTU 2 requirements) |
- Conditional admission to TU as undergraduate students. - TOEFL IBT 60 / TOEFL ITP 500 / IELTS 5.5 (no more than 2 years old) |
APTU 2 is comprised of 50% EAP classes and 50% credit - bearing Gen Ed/Core Curriculum courses at the 100 and 200 level. |
Students must pass all APTU 1 courses with a B before continuing on to APTU 2
| APTU 3 | a) Needing to repeat an APTU level or needing APTU 3 to reach the TU requirements | Students with a GPA below 2.5 and grades below a B in their English language. |
100% of English for Academic Purposes (EAP) classes |
Students may be exempt from the Academic Pathway Program if English proficiency scores meet or exceed one of the following: TOEFL 70 iBT (Minimum 19 subscores), IELTS 6.0 (Minimum 5.5 band scores)
|
Intensive English Only: Levels 1-3 |
If you do not meet the minimum APTU proficiency level scores (48-59 iBT, 4.5-5.0 IELTS), you can enter the APTU by completing Intensive English, levels 1-3. | Before entering the academic program as a fully qualified undergraduate, students with beginner to elementary level English proficiency will start by taking foundational English courses in Levels 1-3. |
APTU 3 is comprised 25% EAP classes and 75% credit - bearing courses. For students who do not meet the exit requirements of APTU 2. |
After completing Level 3, students may either decide to:
Towson University reserves the right to make adjustments to the noted admission criteria.