English Proficiency Requirements
General English Proficency Policy
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Op5.09-4 English Proficiency
Reason or Purpose for Policy:
To assure that all applicants in a non-immigrant visa status have sufficient English proficiency to successfully complete their program of study.
Proof of proficiency in English is required for all applicants in a non-immigrant status, if their primary language is not English. Access a list of approved exempt countries. Applicants who have completed one or more years of full-time secondary or postsecondary study in the U.S. or a country where English is the primary language, or at any other accredited secondary or post-secondary institution where English is the primary language of instruction, may be exempt, at the discretion of the Office of International Services.
Applicants must demonstrate a minimum English proficiency level of CEFR B2 for undergraduate studies and CEFR B2+ for graduate studies.
English proficiency global examination options and corresponding minimum scores may be found in the English Proficiency cut scores.
Line of authority
Responsible administrator and office:
(1) Director, Office of International Services
(2) Vice President for Community and Global PartnershipsEffective date
June 24, 2024
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List of approved exempt countries.
- Antigua
- Australia
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Belize
- Bermuda
- Botswana
- British Virgin Islands
- Canada
- Cayman Islands
- Gambia</li >
- Ghana
- Grenada
- Guyana
- Ireland
- Jamaica
- Kenya
- Lesotho
- Liberia
- Malawi
- Mauritius
- Nigeria
- New Zealand
- Philippines
- Sierra Leone
- St Christopher
- St Kitts
- St Vincent
- Swaziland
- South Africa
- Tanzania
- Trinidad & Tobago
- Uganda
- United Kingdom
- West Indies
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
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Proof of English Proficiency must be uploaded directly to your application portal for evaluation purposes. Official proficiency scores must also be submitted through the testing portal using Missouri State University's school code 6665.
Scores must be obtained during the same testing session and presented on a single test report.
Details of Testing Options for Undergraduate Students
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Proficiency Test Score Sub score requirements TOEFL-iBt 61 and up Scores of less than 15 on an individual band will require enrollment in a corresponding LCR 297 or LCR 397 English language course during the first semester of study. IELTS 5.5 and up Scores of less than 5.0 on an individual sub score will require enrollment in a corresponding LCR 297 or LCR 397 English language course during the first semester of study. Duolingo English Test (DET) 95 and up Scores of less than 90 on an individual sub score will require enrollment in a corresponding LCR 297 or LCR 397 English language course during the first semester of study. Linguaskill
(Online via MSU ELI test center)162 and up Scores of less than 154 on an individual sub score will require enrollment in a corresponding LCR 297 or LCR 397 English language course during the first semester of study. Language Cert Academic 62 and up Scores of less than 60 on an individual sub score will require enrollment in a corresponding LCR 297 or LCR 397 English language course during the first semester of study. For more details and testing options review the English Proficiency cut scores.
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If you submit a High B1 English proficiency score and meet all other admission requirements, you will be admitted in full to the university, but will be required to enroll in prescribed course work for the first semester to ensure academic success. Review the prescribed courses information.
Proficiency Test High B1 Score Range TOEFL-iBt 52-60 IELTS 5.0 Duolingo English Test (DET) 85-90 Linguaskill
(Online via MSU ELI test center)155-161 Language Cert Academic 55-61 For more details and testing options review the English Proficiency cut scores.
Details of Testing Options for Graduate Students
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Proficiency Test Score Sub Score Requirements TOEFL-iBt 79 and up Scores of less than 15 on an individual band will require enrollment in a corresponding LCR 297 or LCR 397 English language course during the first semester of study. IELTS 6.0 and up Scores of less than 5.0 on an individual sub score will require enrollment in a corresponding LCR 297 or LCR 397 English language course during the first semester of study. Duolingo English Test (DET) 110 and up Scores of less than 110 on an individual sub score will require enrollment in a corresponding LCR 297 or LCR 397 English language course during the first semester of study. Linguaskill
(Online via MSU ELI test center)169 and up Scores of less than 161 on an individual sub score will require enrollment in a corresponding LCR 297 or LCR 397 English language course during the first semester of study. Language Cert Academic 67 and up Scores of less than 65 on an individual sub score will require enrollment in a corresponding LCR 297 or LCR 397 English language course during the first semester of study. For more details and testing options review the English Proficiency cut scores.