English Language Proficiency Admission Policy - For Graduate Admissions - Northern Michigan University

Graduate Admissions

Non-native speakers of English must prove an adequate level of English language proficiency for admission into an academic program. English language proficiency for admission can be demonstrated in one of the following ways:

1. English proficiency tests:

   • TOEFL - minimum score of 79 iBT/213 CBT/550 PBT

   • IELTS – minimum overall band score of 6.5

   • ITEP - minimum score of 3.9

   • MELAB – minimum score of 79

   • Duolingo - minimum score of 105

2. Bachelor's degree or higher from a regionally accredited U.S. institution of higher education.

3. Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) or higher from an institution of higher education in a country where English is the official language (listed below). Transcript must show English (composition and literature-based, ESL not acceptable) credits with C or better grades. English speaking countries list includes:

   • Antigua & Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Canada (except Quebec), Dominica, Fiji, The Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Kiribati,Liberia, Micronesia, Namibia, Nigeria, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, St. Lucia, St. Vincent Grenadines, St. Kitts & Nevis, Trinidad & Tobago, United Kingdom, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe

4. Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher on 24 or more earned undergraduate level credit hours from a U.S. institution of higher education. Credits must include college level English composition and/or speech.

5. Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher on 12 or more graduate level credit hours from a U.S. institution of higher education.

6. Successful completion of Level 112 in the ELS Language School

*Other proof of English proficiency may be considered on an individual basis.

Feel free to contact the International Programs Office if you have any questions regarding the English Proficiency Policy.