English Proficiency
An international student holding one or more degrees (baccalaureate or higher) from a college or university in the U.S. is not required to submit English language test scores for admission.
An international student from a country where English is the first language, as documented by a statement on the high school graduating certificate that English is the official (first) language of the country, or who holds one or more degrees (baccalaureate or higher) from a college or university where English is the first language is not required to submit English language test scores. However, the student’s academic department may require the student to schedule one or more ESL (English as a Second Language) courses.
Accepted Scores
An international student whose primary language is not English, as described above, must submit one of the following: TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score, an IELTS (International English Language Testing Systems) score, or a Duolingo score. If more than one test score is submitted, the highest score will be the valid score to determine if the student qualifies for regular admission or must complete ESL courses to gain full admission. If a student has submitted an official TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo score and takes the test again to improve his or her score, that official TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo score must be received by the Graduate School five business days (or more) before the first day of class and prior to course registration in a graduate program at Mississippi State University.
An international applicant for Unclassified graduate status (non-degree-seeking) who is not from a country where English is the first language or who does not hold a baccalaureate or higher degree from a college or university where English is the first language must submit an appropriate TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo score.
Minimum English Language Test Score requirements for admission to Mississippi State University:
- 6.0 TOEFL Essentials
- 54 TOEFL iBT (old score system)
- 3.5 TOEFL iBT (new score system)
- 4.5 IELTS
- 95 Duolingo
The following degree programs require higher test scores than the University requirement:
- The College of Veterinary Medicine requires a minimum TOEFL score of 79 (5) iBT or an IELTS score of 6.5.
- The College of Education requires a minimum TOEFL score of 79 (5) iBT or an IELTS score of 6.5 for admission to master’s and doctoral level programs.
- The College of Business requires a minimum TOEFL score of 84 (5) iBT or an IELTS score of 7.0 or Duolingo 115 for Master's and 130 for PhD.
Requirements
The applicant must check the requirements of the specific department.
The following requirements satisfy the English language proficiency of international graduate students. A student admitted to the University with a national TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo score less than the proficient-level equivalencies must enroll in the specified English as a Second Language (ESL) course requirement(s) beginning with the initial enrollment period.
English Language Institute
The English Language Institute (ELI) provides high-quality, affordable English language instruction to students, faculty, and community members from around the world who study at Mississippi State University (MSU).