Part of the application process for international students at both the graduate and undergraduate level is documentation of their proficiency in the English language.
All international applicants whose education has been primarily outside the United States must provide objective evidence of proficiency in the English language, with the exception of those primarily educated in the following countries: Australia, Canada (except Quebec), Commonwealth Caribbean (including Belize), Ireland, Liberia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, and the United States territory of Puerto Rico.
Applicants who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents but who have been educated outside the countries listed above are also required to submit evidence of English language proficiency.
Applicants who have recently completed three years of full-time study at a secondary institution in the U.S. may be exempted from this requirement after supporting academic records have been reviewed by the Admissions Office.
Any request for a waiver of the English language proficiency requirement must be submitted in writing to the Admissions Office with any supporting documentation.
Kent State University reserves the right to require evidence of English language proficiency for all applicants, the adequacy of which shall be at the sole discretion of Kent State University.
All undergraduate applicants must obtain a minimum TOEFL score of 525 (a score of 197 on the computerized version, or 71 on the Internet based version) or minimum MELAB score of 77.
Specific Graduate Program Requirements
All graduate applicants must obtain a minimum TOEFL score of 525 (a score of 197 on the computerized version, or 71 on the Internet based version) or a minimum MELAB score of 77, with the following exceptions:
- Applicants to these graduate departments must present a TOEFL score of 600 or a MELAB score of 88: Biological Sciences, Communication Studies, English, Journalism and Mass Communication and PhD Translation.
- Applicants to these graduate departments must present a TOEFL score of 550 or a MELAB score of 80: Architecture, Computer Science, Nursing, Political Science, Public Administration, and the Graduate School of Management.
- Applicants to Physics must present a TOEFL score of 560.
- The School of Library and Information Science requires a TOEFL score of 600 or a MELAB score of 88 for regular admission; those applicants presenting TOEFL scores of 550-599 or MELAB scores of 80-87 can be considered for conditional admission.
More TOEFL and MELAB information
English as a Second Language at Kent State
An English program is offered for the non-native speaker through Kent State’s English as a Second Language Center. The ESL intensive program is unique and individualized, offering well-designed courses tailored to each student’s linguistic and professional needs.