English Proficiency for Prospective International Students Policy - ADM 16.2

Aug 29, 2026

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Policy ADM 16.2 establishes the University of Mount Union’s requirements for proof of English proficiency for new international student applicants beginning Spring 2021. It lists required score thresholds for common tests (TOEFL, IELTS, PTE Academic, MELAB, ACT English, and SAT Evidence-based Critical Thinking & Writing) and outlines additional acceptable pathways reviewed case-by-case. The policy also describes ESL placement expectations and, in response to COVID-19, acceptance of the Duolingo English Test with specified score mappings.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages3

Reading Time8 min

AccessFree to download

Policy Dates

Minimum Required English Proficiency Tests

Additional Case-by-Case Proof Options

Background Information and Duolingo Proposal

Definitions

English Proficiency for Prospective International Students Policy ADM 16.2 Office of International Admission Policy Type: Administrative Applies to: New international student applicants, beginning Spring 2021 POLICY DATES Issued: Fall 2017 Revised: November 2020 (approved by Academic Policy Committee & Faculty Senate) Edited: 3/2/2021 Currently, the University of Mount Union accepts the following as proof of English proficiency for international student applicants: | English Proficiency Test | Score Required | | --- | --- | | TOEFL | 79 (Students can score between a 61 – 78 but be required to take ESL courses for their first year) | | IELTS | 6.5 (Students can score between a 5.5 – 6.0 but be required to take ESL courses for their first year) | | PTE Academic | 55 | | MELAB | 80 | | ACT (English subsection score) | 21 | | SAT (Evidence-based Critical Thinking & Writing Score) | 590 | Mount Union also will accept the following as proof of English proficiency when reviewed on a case-by-case basis: o Completion of a minimum of two English courses (non-ESL) at a U.S. high school with a minimum grade of B. o Completion of secondary school (with at least 2 years of prior, continuous enrollment) from an Englishspeaking country (see chart below) . o Completion of an International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum with a minimum score of 5 in the Diploma Programme, or a minimum score of 6 in the standard level English language examinations. o Completion of the British Ordinary Level (O-level) English Language Exam (GCE/GCSE/IGCSE) with a Grade of B or higher. o Completion of the British Advanced Leve (A-level) English Lanugage Exam (GCE/GCSE/IGCSE) with a Grade of C or higher. o Completion of a minimum of 24 credit hours of academic (non-ESL) coursework at an accredited two or four-year postsecondary institution in the U.S. with a minimum GPA of 2.0. o Completion of at least 1 year of postsecondary instruction (non-ESL) from a recognized higher education institution in an English-speaking country (see chart below) with a minimum GPA of 2.0. Current Policy from Faculty Handbook (Article II, Section 2(e): The current policy reads as follows: The faculty of the University of Mount Union set the TOEFL/IELTS/ESL requirement for international degree-seeking students as follows: 500 (PBT), 61 (iBT) or 5.0-5.5 (IELTS) is the required minimum for admission for all degree-seeking international students. Students accepted with TOEFL scores between 61-78 (IBT), 500- 547 (PBT) or an IELTS (International English Language Testing Service) score between 5.5-6.0 are required to take a minimum of 8 ESL credit hours in their first year. Students will take 4 ESL credit hours (ESL 110 – ESL Communication) in University of Mount Union Page 1 of 3 Last edited: December 15, 2016 English Proficiency for Prospective International Students Policy ADM 16.2 Office of International Admission | Applies to: New international student applicants, beginning Spring 2021
the first semester, followed by an additional minimum of 4 ESL credit hours in the second semester. The determination of the eventual number of ESL credit hours needed in the second semester will be based on the academic advisor’s assessment of the student’s cumulative first-semester academic performance and the ESL instructor’s professional evaluation of the student’s language proficiency progress.
Other forms of English proficiency can be accepted on a case-by-case basis.
Definitions | | | --- | --- | |
Term | Definition | | Duolingo English Test | English proficiency test that is offered online and can be taken anywhere. | | TOEFL | Test of English as a Foreign Language. Administered by ETS (Education Testing Services) | | IELTS | International English Language Testing Service. Administered by the U. K. | | PTE Academic | Pearson’s Test of English (Academic) . | | MELAB | Michigan English Language Assessment Battery. Administered across the U

FAQs

Which English proficiency tests and minimum scores are accepted for new international applicants beginning Spring 2021?

The policy specifies required scores for TOEFL, IELTS, PTE Academic, MELAB, ACT (English subsection), and SAT (Evidence-based Critical Thinking & Writing). Details are provided in the scoring table within the policy.

What happens if an applicant scores within the lower range on TOEFL or IELTS?

Students may be required to take ESL courses during their first year when their TOEFL or IELTS scores fall within the lower ranges stated by the policy.

How does the policy address English proficiency during COVID-19, and what are the Duolingo English Test score rules?

Due to suspended in-person TOEFL and IELTS testing, the Office of International Admission researched Duolingo as an alternative. The proposal accepts specific Duolingo score ranges, including a higher score threshold that may exempt students from ESL courses.

Aug 29, 2026

Upload by Gloria