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College of Music
Giving & Alumni
College of Music
Admissions

English Language Requirements for International Graduate Applicants

Who must take an English Language exam?

  • If you are not a citizen of the United States or if your native language is not English, you are required to demonstrate your level of English proficiency.
  • Graduate applicants applying for performance degrees (including conducting) who have a degree from a U.S. accredited university may be exempt from this requirement.
  • Those applying for the Performance Diploma program are exempt.
  • Those applying for degrees in composition, music education, music theory, or musicology must provide a language exam regardless of previous study in the United States.
Test Minimum Score Minimum Subscores
TOEFL (paper-based) 550 None below 52
TOEFL (Internet-based) 80 None below 19 and writing cannot be below 22
Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB) 83 None below 80
MSU English Language Test (MSUELT) 80-85 None below 80
85 None below 78
International English Language Testing System (IELTS) 6.5 None below 6.0
Pearson Test of English – Academic (PTE A) 53 None below 51 and writing cannot be below 59
Temporarily Accepting:
Duolingo 110
IELTS Indicator 6.5 None below 6.0
TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition 80 None below 19 and writing cannot be below 22
Test Minimum Score Minimum Subscores
TOEFL (paper-based) 570 None below 52
TOEFL (Internet-based) 88 None below 19 and writing cannot be below 22
Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB) 84 None below 80
MSU English Language Test (MSUELT) 81-85

 

 None below 80
85 None below 78
International English Language Testing System (IELTS) 6.5 None below 6.0
Pearson Test of English – Academic (PTE A) 59 None below 51 and writing cannot be below 59
Temporarily Accepting:
Duolingo 121
IELTS Indicator 6.5 None below 6.0
TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition 88 None below 19 and writing cannot be below 22
Test Minimum Score Deadline
TOEFL (paper-based) 580 None below 52
TOEFL (Internet-based) 92 None below 19 and writing cannot be below 22
Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB) 85 None below 80
MSU English Language Test (MSUELT) 82-85

 

 None below 80
85 None below 78
International English Language Testing System (IELTS) 6.5 None below 6.0
Pearson Test of English – Academic (PTE A) 62 None below 51 and writing cannot be below 59
Temporarily Accepting:
Duolingo 126
IELTS Indicator 6.5 None below 6.0
TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition 88 None below 19 and writing cannot be below 22