International Applicants

The application process for international applicants is very similar to the process for domestic applicants. However, international applicants are required to show English proficiency to be admitted and a minimum amount of financial support to be issued immigration documents.

Click on a category below for more details.

Language Requirements

All International applicants are required to submit the results of an accepted test as evidence of English proficiency, unless they qualify for an exemption (see Exemptions below). Please note that applicants who are U.S. Citizens or Permanent Residents of the U.S. may be required to show proof of English language proficiency.

As proof English language proficiency, the Graduate School accepts scores from one of the following testing services:

*Note: Institutional TOEFL (TOEFL ITP) results from schools or institutions other than the University of Missouri are not acceptable. Additionally, the University of Missouri does not accept MyBest TOEFL scores, only regular TOEFL IBT Scaled Scores.

Minimum English Proficiency Test Scores

Applicants who are required to provide examination result must earn a minimum total score as well as subsection scores on one of the English proficiency tests listed below. English proficiency test scores are considered valid for two years beyond the test date.

Test TypeTotalReadingListeningSpeakingWriting
TOEFL Internet-based8017171717
IELTS Academic6.56666
PTE59––––
Cambridge English180––––
Duolingo English Test*115––––

Required scores may vary by academic program. Some academic programs require test scores that are higher than the minimum university requirements. Click the test type below to view a list of academic programs requiring higher test scores with their minimum scores.

TOEFL Internet-based

Academic Program Total Reading Listening Speaking Writing
Accountancy, PhD 100
Biochemistry 95
Biological Sciences 100
Biomedical Sciences 100
Care Management 100
Chemistry 100
Educational, School and Counseling Psychology 92
Exercise Physiology 100
Genetics 93
Health Administration 100
Health and Rehabilitation Science 100 25
Human Development & Family Science 80 20 20 20 20
Informatics 90
Information Science and Learning Technologies, PhD 100
Journalism 100 25
Law, LLM (American Law/Dispute Resolution) 100
Molecular Microbiology & Immunology 92
Neuroscience 100
Nutritional Sciences 100
Philosophy 100 26
Political Science 88
Rural Sociology 84
Social Work, MSW 92 21 22 26 23
Special Education 100
Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences, MHS 100 20 20 28 20
Statistics 80 20 20 20 20
Theatre 112

IELTS Academic

PTE

Academic Program Total Reading Listening Speaking Writing
Accountancy, PhD 66
Biochemistry 63
Biological Sciences 66
Biomedical Sciences 66
Care Management 66
Chemistry 66
Educational, School and Counseling Psychology 62
Exercise Physiology 66
Genetics 62
Health Administration 66
Health and Rehabilitation Science 66 66
Health Administration 66
Informatics 61
Information Science and Learning Technologies, PhD 66
Journalism 66 66
Law, LLM (American Law/Dispute Resolution) 66
Molecular Microbiology & Immunology 62
Neuroscience 66
Nutritional Sciences 66
Philosophy 66 70
Political Science 61
Rural Sociology 60
Social Work, MSW 61 58 58 79 50
Special Education 66
Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences, MHS 66 72
Theatre 78

Cambridge C1 Advanced

Academic Program Total Reading Listening Speaking Writing
Accountancy, PhD 190
Biochemistry 188
Biological Sciences 190
Biomedical Sciences 190
Care Management 190
Chemistry 190
Educational, School and Counseling Psychology 185
Exercise Physiology 190
Genetics 185
Health Administration 190
Health and Rehabilitation Science 190 190
Health Administration 190
Informatics 183
Information Science and Learning Technologies, PhD 190
Journalism 190 190
Law, LLM (American Law/Dispute Resolution) 190
Molecular Microbiology & Immunology 185
Neuroscience 190
Nutritional Sciences 190
Philosophy 190 200
Political Science 183
Rural Sociology 181
Social Work, MSW 183 176 176 197 169
Special Education 190
Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences, MHS 190 205
Theatre 192

Duolingo English Test*

The Graduate School is currently accepting the Duolingo English Test, as part of a pilot program. As of August 1, 2023, the minimum required Duolingo score is 115 for all new applicants. If your academic program requires a higher score, please check the Duolingo score comparison page https://englishtest.duolingo.com/scores to find exam equivalencies. Please contact gradadmin@missouri.edu if you need assistance. When registering for the exam, choose University of Missouri (Mizzou)- Graduate School Admissions to share your results with us.

Sending Test Scores

Exemptions

English Proficiency Exemptions

International applicants are exempt from the English proficiency requirement for admission if they meet one of the requirements below:

Each graduate program reserves the right to require an applicant to submit an English proficiency test score regardless of the previous educational experience. Please check with your academic program about requirements.

Recognized English-speaking Countries

Special Cases for Waivers

On occasion, academic programs may feel applicants who do not meet the minimum total score requirement or have a subsection score below the minimum deserve consideration. Academic programs may request a waiver for such cases by justifying or explaining why this score will not impede the progress or success of the student in that program; special consideration should be given to speaking and listening scores if programs anticipate the student will be funded through a teaching assistantship. Instructions for submitting a waiver request are described below. Please consult your academic program to determine if the program is willing to request a waiver for your case to the Graduate School.

Waiver Request Instructions

Waiver requests should be addressed to the Dean of the Graduate School but sent either to the appropriate admissions advisor (per alpha-divisions) or to Terrence Grus (Assistant Dean for Graduate Enrollment Management). They will present these requests to the Dean of the Graduate School, who will make the final decision as to whether the waiver will be granted. Some are approved, but many are not. If the waiver request is not approved, then the applicant will be required to take the English proficiency test (or retake the test) and submit their qualifying score to the Graduate Admissions Office prior to their admission.

Teaching Assistantships and Graduate Instructors

All graduate students who assume any teaching role in a classroom or lab and are non-native English speakers must speak well enough to effectively communicate in the classroom as required by state law and University policy.

Please note that all English proficiency requirements and exemptions listed above are for admission purposes only. All international graduate students who assume any teaching role in a classroom or lab must speak well enough to effectively communicate in the classroom as required by state law and University policy.

If your degree program has offered you a teaching assistantship or graduate instructorship, you must undergo additional English-language evaluation. This evaluation happens after the admission process and will affect your ability to teach on the Mizzou campus.

English Learning in Columbia

Students who cannot meet the English language proficiency requirements may enroll in the intensive English program at Mizzou. This program is designed to provide students with the English language skills necessary to successfully study for an academic degree in the United States. Please contact the Center for English Language Learning for more information. You may also wish to ask the director of graduate studies in your degree program about this option.

English-language development resources are available at Mizzou and in the local community.

Explore the Options

Financial Documentation

Proof of Financial Support

International students attending American universities must prove they can financially support themselves while living in the United States.

Mizzou applicants are required to complete the Affidavit of Support (pdf) or provide a letter of support from a University of Missouri graduate degree program before immigration documents can be issued. The proof of financial support must show enough funding to cover the first academic year at Mizzou.

The MU International Center gives more information about:

Please be aware that the submission of the Affidavit of Support and/or financial documentation is not a requirement for the initial review process.

Immigration Documents

The Graduate School issues the majority of immigration documents for new MU international graduate students seeking a new student visa. After official admission to the University, international applicants will be asked to complete an enrollment form in the application system. Applicants who intend to enroll at MU will be prompted to provide more information about immigration status and document needs on the enrollment form. Contact gradadmin@missouri.edu with questions.

New MU graduate students holding an active student visa and immigration documents from another U.S. institution will work with MU International Center to transfer you immigration documents.

University of Missouri Graduate School