English Proficiency Requirements

English Language Proficiency Standards for Admission to Graduate and ESOL Programs

Admission to Graduate Programs
The minimum scores required to enter academic classes bearing credit toward graduation.
TOEFL = At least 100 (iBT) with at least 25 in each band.
IELTS = At least 7 in each band.

Graduate students must submit a TOEFL or IELTS score as a part of their application. English language proficiency standards are different for admission to graduate programs due to the rigor of the academic work. The standards for graduate students to enter the academic program of his/her choice without any restrictions are listed above.

If an international student has attended an English-speaking college or preparatory school before admission to UMHB, the ESOL requirements may be waived. Please contact the Chair of the MFL Department for information regarding waivers.

Graduate international students must submit a TOEFL or IELTS score as a part of their application. Students whose scores do not meet the minimum requirements for admission to graduate academic work will be evaluated upon arrival. Students who do not meet the minimum score for graduate academic work will enter the English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program.

If the score is above the requirements for admission to the undergraduate or graduate programs (as described below), the student will be admitted to his/her academic program without further restrictions.

The ESOL program is designed to help students prepare for academic coursework at UMHB. Students who are placed in the ESOL program take only ESOL courses unless placement testing results indicate that they may be successful in combining ESOL courses with other courses. Based on the results of the placement testing, the chair of MFL or designee will determine the ESOL courses in which students are required to enroll.

Students Who Do Not Meet English Language Placement Standards for Admission to Graduate Programs

Upon arrival, the student will be given a 3-part English placement test. Parts 1 & 2 are the Listening and Reading Comprehension components. Part 3 is a writing sample administered and graded by UMHB faculty. Students are scored on accuracy of grammar, coherence of writing, and skilled use of written English. Based on the results of placement testing, students will be enrolled in the appropriate combination of ESOL or academic courses.

The ESOL program offers several classes of 3 credit hours each: Grammar, Reading, Writing, and Oral Communication. Also, there are basic, intermediate, and advanced levels of each class to meet student needs. ESOL tuition is 50% of the cost of undergraduate tuition.

To progress from the ESOL program to other classes, a student must meet ALL of the following exit requirements listed on the ESOL website.