English Proficiency Requirements

Applicants whose first language is not English must meet one of the following English proficiency requirements for admission. Official documentation will be required for admission.

Option 1: English Proficiency Test

English proficiency test scores are accepted within 2 years of completion. SAT and ACT scores are accepted within 5 years. The below chart outlines the minimum score requirements for admission. 

Exam Undergraduate Graduate
IELTS 6.0 Overall 6.5 Overall
TOEFL iBT 70 79
Duolingo 105 Overall 110 Overall
Oxford ELLT * 6 Overall 7 Overall
PTE Academic 50 Overall 53 Overall
iTEP Academic 4.0 4.5
SAT (KU Code 2653) 560 Reading and Writing  560 Reading and Writing 
ACT (KU Code 3706) 21 English/Writing Score  21 English/Writing Score 
*Discount Code Available

Option 2: Education Occurring or Completed in the U.S. 

  • Study at a U.S. high school: Student has taken a full year of regular high school in the U.S. and earned a C grade (or better) in two terms of a standard English class (not ESL).
  • U.S. high school: Graduation from a U.S. high school or U.S. Department of Defense School overseas. Must have attended for at least three consecutive years.
  • U.S. post-secondary school: Graduation from a regionally accredited U.S. post-secondary school and earned an associate's degree or bachelor's degree.
  • English/ESL program: Completion of an approved ESL program. Other ESL programs within the U.S. will be approved on a case-by-case basis for admission into an undergraduate program. 

    • Click here to see available English Language Programs:

      Note: Conditional admissions is not approved for these programs:

      Oxford International Digital Institute: Online English for Academic Purposes

      • Online program
      • Length of Program: Depends on initial English proficiency - 6 weeks, 12 weeks, or 16 weeks. 
      • Undergraduate Requirement: Successful completion of ELLT level 6
      • Graduate Requirement: Successful completion of ELLT level 7
      • Students must sumit a transcript or official letter from the program showing their successful completion. 

      Northampton Community College: English as a Second Language

      • In-Person program in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. 
      • Length of Program: 2 semesters
      • Undergraduate Requirement: Successful completion of the Proficiency in English as a Second Language Specialized Diploma. 
      • Graduate Requirement: Successful completion of the Proficiency in English as a Second Language Specialized Diploma. 
      • Students must sumit a transcript from the program showing their successful completion. 

      St. Joseph's University: ESL Philadelphia

      • In-Person program
      • Length of Program: Depends on your initial English proficiency level. 
      • Undergraduate Requirement: Successful completion of the 109 program.
      • Graduate Requirement: Successful completion of the 112 program
      • Students must sumit a transcript or official letter from the program showing their successful completion. 

    Option 3: English Medium of Instruction, Curriculum, and Qualifying National Exams

    High school (secondary school) diploma and/or citizenship from one of the following countries will qualify for a waiver of English Proficiency: Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Botswana, Canada (except Quebec), Cayman Islands, Cook Islands, Dominica, Falkland Islands, Fiji, Gibraltar, Grenada, Guyana, Republic of Ireland,  Jamaica, Kenya, Kiribati, Lesotho, Malta, Marshall Islands, Montserrat, Namibia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norfolk Islands, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Singapore, South Africa, South Sudan, St. Helena, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Tanzania, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, Uganda, United Kingdom, Vanuatu, Virgin Islands, Zambia, Zimbabwe

    For international students who completed high school or a postsecondary degree, or are transferring from a postsecondary school, in which English is the medium of instruction can be approved on a case-by-case basis for admission. 

      • Click here to see qualifying Curriculum, and Qualifying National Exams:

        Exams/Curricula:

        • IB English (SL or HL) with a score of 4 (or higher).
        • IGCSE or GCE score of C grade (or better) on the English language exam. 
        • WAEC (West African Exam Council) score of C6 (or better). 
        • CXC (CAPE and CSEC) English score of Level III (or higher). 
        • Ethiopian General Secondary Education Certificate Examination (EGSECE) or Ethiopian Higher Education Entrance Examination (EHEEE): English section minimum result of A or 75.
        • Norway state exam English score of 3 (or higher).
        • Sweden state exam English score of C (or higher).

        Additional national exams with English scores can be approved on a case-by-case basis for admission. Email international@kutztown.edu to inquire about additional exams. 

      Option 4: Letter from home university (Exchange and Non-degree Only)

      The exchange student's home university may provide a letter from verifying that they have English language proficiency equivalent to a CEFR B2 level.