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.

What are the minimum requirements? Those applying for degrees in Collaborative Piano, Composition, Conducting, Jazz Studies, Performance, or Piano Pedagogy:

Test	Minimum Score	Minimum Subscores
TOEFL (paper-based)	550	None below 52
TOEFL (Internet-based) if taken prior* to January 21, 2026*	80	None below 19 and writing cannot be below 22
TOEFL (Internet-based) if taken after* January 21, 2026*	4.5	None below 4 and writing cannot be below 4.5
Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB)	83	None below 80
MSU English Language Test (MSUELT)	80-85	None below 80
MSU English Language Test (MSUELT)	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

Those applying for a master's degree in music education, music theory, or musicology:

Test	Minimum Score	Minimum Subscores
TOEFL (paper-based)	570	None below 52
TOEFL (Internet-based) if taken prior* to January 12, 2026*	88	None below 19 and writing cannot be below 22
TOEFL (Internet-based) if taken after* January 12, 2026*	4.5	None below 4 and writing cannot be below 4.5
Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB)	84	None below 80
MSU English Language Test (MSUELT)	81-85	None below 80
MSU English Language Test (MSUELT)	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

Those applying for a doctorate degree in music education:

Test	Minimum Score	Deadline
TOEFL (paper-based)	580	None below 52
TOEFL (Internet-based) if taken prior* to January 21, 2026*	92	None below 19 and writing cannot be below 22
TOEFL (Internet-based) if taken after* January 21, 2026*	5.0	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
MSU English Language Test (MSUELT)	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