Graduate Admissions

English Proficiency Requirements

International applicants are required to demonstrate English Proficiency to be considered for admission to graduate programs on campus and online.

Accepted Exams and minimum scores:

  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
    • 79 or higher on the Internet-based exam with no subscore below 17, or a score of 550 or higher on the paper-based exam.
    • Scores of 100+ will NOT be required to complete placement exam testing upon arrival
  • Duolingo English Test
    • 105 or higher
    • ALL scores ARE required to complete placement exam testing upon arrival

Exemptions:

  • US Citizen or Permanent Resident

  • Applicants who will hold a baccalaureate or graduate degree from a university in the United States, Canada or from a country whose sole official language is English, will be exempt.

  • International students who have completed SCSU's Intensive English Center Level 5 program MAY be exempt.
    • Note MBA, MEM/EMEM, ACR, MTQ, and RAS applicants: Due to the advanced level of scholarship, these programs may require a proficiency exam even after completion of IEC Level 5.

  • H4 Visa holders
    • Keeping your H4 Visa?
      • No language proficiency exams or financial documents required
    • Changing to F1 Visa?
      • English proficiency exam and financial documents will be required to support SEVIS certification.

St. Cloud State University offers alternative opportunities to meet your English proficiency requirement. Please visit our language admission and conditional language admission opportunities.

English Placement Examination Requirement Upon Arrival on Campus: Some international students may be required to take an additional English placement test during orientation. To see if this need applies to you, please visit this link.