MSU - Office of International Programs

English Language Proficiency Requirement

Academic success at Minot State University demands strong English language skills, and Minot State requires all international students to provide proof of sufficient English proficiency before being accepted as a student.
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Undergraduate applicants
To be considered for admission, undergraduate applicants must submit one of the following:

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) Scores, taken within 2 years:

IBT minimum score of 71
Paper-based minimum score of 525 on the paper-based test OR
www.toefl.org

IELTS (International English Language Testing System), taken within 2 years:

Minimum score of 6.0 overall band
www.ielts.org

Level 9 Completion Certificate, issued within the last 6 months, by The Language Company, Minot State University’s on-campus intensive English language program.

Proof of successful graduation from a U.S. high school located in the United States of America, PLUS an ACT Minimum score of 18 OR SAT minimum score of 860.

Transferring from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university after two years of study in good standing, OR completion of Composition I and Composition II with grades of ‘A’ or ‘B’ if transferring before two years have been completed.
Applicants to the Nursing major must meet the specific English language proficiency requirements outlined in the Application Requirements for Admission into the Nursing Major, on the Department of Nursing website, or by contacting the Nursing Department Office at +1-701-858-3101.

Exceptions
Undergraduate applicants from the following countries are NOT REQUIRED to provide proof of English proficiency. Applicants from all other countries must submit proof of English language proficiency.

Antigua & Barbuda	Dominica	Lesotho	Scotland
Australia	England	Liberia	Seychelles
Barbados	Fiji	Malawi	Sierra Leone
Bahamas	Gambia	Man, Isle of	Singapore
Belize	Ghana	Marshall Islands	South Africa
Bermuda	Grenada	Mauritius	Swaziland
Botswana	Guam	Micronesia	St. Vincent & Grenadines
British Virgin Islands	Guernesey	Montserrat	Trinidad & Tobago
Cameroon	Guyana	New Zealand	Uganda
Canada*	Ireland	Norfolk Island	United Kingdom
Cayman Islands	Jamaica	N. Marianas	United States*
Christmas Island	Jersey	St. Helena	Virgin Islands
Cocos (Keeling Island)	Kenya	St. Kitts & Nevis	Zambia
Cook Island	Kiribati	St. Lucia	Zimbabwe

* Applicants from Canada and Puerto Rico who did not complete their prior education in English must submit proof of English language proficiency. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________

Graduate applicants
To be considered for admission, international graduate applicants must submit one of the following:

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) Scores, taken within 2 years:
- IBT minimum score of 79
- Paper-based minimum score of 550 on the paper-based test

IELTS (International English Language Testing System) Taken within 2 years

Minimum score of 6.0 overall band

Level 9 Completion Certificate, issued within the last 6 months, by The Language Company, Minot State University’s on-campus intensive English language program and iTEP Level 5 from training and testing administered by the Language Company on the MSU campus.

In some instances, international students who have earned a degree from an English speaking university (where the primary mode of instruction is English) in the past 10 years may also be considered for English proficiency waiver. Students should provide a letter of proof from the institution.

In lieu of previously defined satisfactory performance on the TOEFL, IELTS, or iTEP, international students who have attended formal education for three or more years in the U.S. may, at the discretion of the program, be considered for admission into the Graduate School with the recommendation of the program director who has been able to assess the students’ English proficiency through voice conversation.

What if my English proficiency score does not meet the requirements?

The Language Company is currently the provider for the intensive English language instruction at Minot State University and can provide you with the English skills necessary for academic success. The Language Company programs are structured to help students reach their academic goals in the shortest possible time period. Students who take English as a second language courses through The Language Company at Minot State University have access to the university's many resources and facilities. Classes are small, instructors are highly qualified, and students will receive advising and support services for international students.

MSU accepts the completion of TLC Level 9 for admission to the university, so students enrolled in the ESL program can apply to the university without having to repeat the TOEFL.

You are encouraged to enroll in The Language Company if you haven't acquired the minimum TOEFL score to be admitted to MSU or if you need assistance in improving your language skills. The Language Company offers start dates on a monthly basis. See The Language Company’s website for details.

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For information on the TOEFL testing dates, locations, and costs, contact:

etsinfo@ets.org

www.toefl.org

For information on the IELTS testing dates, locations, and costs, contact:

ielt@ieltsintl.org