English Language Proficiency Requirement

All admitted undergraduate, postbaccalaureate, and graduate students interested in attending PSU on non-immigrant visas must submit documentation to demonstrate proof of English language proficiency. See below for the specific requirements for each level.


Undergraduate and Postbaccalaureate

All admitted undergraduate and postbaccalaureate students on non-immigrant visas must submit one of the test results below to demonstrate proof of English language proficiency.

If you do not demonstrate proof of English language proficiency, we will place you in the Intensive English Language Program (IELP) pathway.

Minimum Test Score Requirements

TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, or SAT with minimum required official score achieved within the last two years. SAT is not required for admission; for use to prove English proficiency only. When ordering test score reports, use Portland State's institutional code: 4610.

Test Minimum Score
TOEFL IBT: minimum overall score of 71; minimum subscore of 15 in reading and writing
Academic IELTS 6.0 overall; minimum 6.0 in reading and writing
Academic PTE 53 overall
SAT 560 or above in the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing section
DET (Duolingo English Test) 110 or above

Other Ways to Demonstrate Proficiency

  • Transferable associate degree from a U.S. institution with a minimum GPA of 2.50 and 8 credits of college level writing—including the equivalent of WR 121 and an additional higher level college writing course. Both courses must be completed with a grade of C- or better. (Successful completion of English, Writing, or Literature classes alone is not sufficient to demonstrate English language proficiency.)
  • Transcript with the bachelor's degree posted from the institution granting a 4-year bachelor’s degree, master’s or doctoral degree at a college or university in the Australia, English-speaking Canada, Ghana, Ireland, Kenya, New Zealand, Nigeria, South Africa, Uganda, United Kingdom, United States, or Zimbabwe.
  • Passport copy demonstrating that you are a citizen of Australia, English-speaking Canada, Ghana, Ireland, Kenya, New Zealand, Nigeria, South Africa, Uganda, United Kingdom, or Zimbabwe and proof of entire academic history in English from one of those countries.
  • International Baccalaureate diploma with final combined score of 30 or more points.
  • Certification of Completion for an English language program through one of PSU's ESL partners: University of California - Davis Extension and Pacific International Academy at Warner Pacific University.
  • Students who do not qualify under the university's minimum English language proficiency requirements listed on this page may also submit documentation that they feel demonstrates their mastery of English language proficiency; they may do so in the form of both citizenship documentation or educational documentation that they feel best represents their English language ability. This documentation may be considered in waiving university English language proficiency requirements but requires the applicant to submit a formal written request for an "ESL review" by email (intladm@pdx.edu) to the undergraduate international admissions office.  

Graduate

All graduate applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency in one of the ways outlined below prior to enrolling in academic classes. This requirement applies to all students, including permanent residents and U.S. citizens.

Valid Proof of English Language Proficiency

Minimum Test Score Requirements for Graduate Programs

TOEFL Academic IELTS Academic PTE Duolingo Test of English (DET)
  • TOEFL: IBT minimum overall score of 80 with minimum subscores of 18 in reading and writing. 
IELTS: 6.5 overall score with minimum sub-scores of 6.5 in reading and writing PTE: 60 overall DET: 120 overall