English Language Proficiency

Date Implemented: November 14, 2006
Date Revised: April 12, 2024

English proficiency is required of all students enrolling in a graduate or professional program at the University of St. Thomas.

All international applicants and non-native speakers of English must meet one of the English proficiency requirements listed below (or fulfill the requirement with a waiver), before qualifying for an I-20/DS-2019 or being allowed to register for classes.

English Proficiency Requirements

Score reports can be no more than two years old.

  • TOEFL iBT overall score of 80 for the internet-based test (iBT), or 213 for the computer-based test, with a minimum subscore of 20 on the written and speaking sections. (school code: 6110)
  • CAE, C1 Advanced, with a minimum of 180
  • Duolingo Language Test, overall score of 105
  • iTEP, with a minimum score of 3.5
  • IELTS (Academic) overall score of 6.5
  • PTE Academic overall score of 53
  • ELS level 112, with a minimum GPA 3.0 in the course (Only available in the following programs: Catholic Studies, Education, Engineering, Theology, Software, Law, Social Work)
  • MET score of 53. The score report must be accompanied by an official letter from the testing coordinator.

Waivers

Applicants who have successfully completed a previous undergraduate or graduate degree at a college or university and who can verify that the curriculum was taught in English can apply to the program for a waiver from the English Proficiency testing requirement. There may be other reasons that students believe this requirement should be waived. Applicants who would like to request a waiver of this requirement should work with the specific school/college to which they are applying. Waivers must be approved by the Dean of the school/college to which students are applying. Copies of approved waivers are to be retained in the student’s file, the Dean’s Office of the school/college to which the student is applying, the Office of Academic Affairs, and the Office of International Admissions.

Important Note: In the absence of a more stringent policy at the school or college level the University Graduate Academic Policies apply. Should a graduate program not have a specific policy or should there be omissions or gaps in the policy for a specific graduate school program, the University Graduate Policy shall govern.

The Graduate Academic Policies are the responsibility of the Graduate Curriculum Committee Convener. For additions or revisions contact gradcurriculum@stthomas.edu.