English Language Proficiency

Applicants for bachelor’s and master’s degree programs whose native language is other than English must have a score of 450 (paper-based), or 133 (computer-based), or 45 (internet-based) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), or 4.5 on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), and must send their scores to PSU's Admissions Office.

Applicants for the doctoral degree program whose native language is other than English must have a score of 550 (paper-based), or 213 (computer-based), or 80 (internet-based) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), or 6.5 on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), and must send their scores to PSU's Admissions Office.

Students who have not taken TOEFL or IELTS but need a score to meet the admissions requirement may be admitted conditionally.  Those students admitted conditionally may matriculate for two quarters, must enroll EN004,  and submit a minimum TOEFL or IELTS score or be dropped from the program.  Those students as well as the students who did not qualify for conditional admission are encouraged to enroll in PSU's English as a Second Language (ESL) course of study and/or EN004 to prepare for the TOEFL.  Students who have the minimum TOEFL or IELTS score and begin or continue their degree programs may be advised to enroll in EN005 to strengthen their language mastery.

Enrolled students who exhibit difficulties with the English language may be referred to the ESL Faculty for review and for suggestions to remedy any deficiencies. 

Students who have earned a secondary education diploma, or degrees from higher education institutions in the U.S. in which English was the major language of instruction do not have to present a TOEFL or IELTS score and may be excused from the equivalent test.