Iowa State University (ISU) and the Graduate College have three separate English language requirements for nonnative speakers of English:

  • For admission to ISU set by the Office of Admissions
  • For graduate degree completion set by the Graduate College
  • For international teaching assistants set by the Graduate College and Iowa State University.

Each set of language requirements has its purpose and exemption criteria.

Note 1. Nonnative speakers of English are considered those whose first language is not English. English may be considered a student’s first language if they have been raised in an environment where English was the first language learned and spoken from childhood, and English is the only official language of their locality and nation. 

English Proficiency for Admission

All nonnative speakers of English applying to Iowa State University are required to meet the English Proficiency for Admission requirement. (See Note 1 above.)

Purpose: Demonstrate minimum English language proficiency for admission 

To meet the minimum requirements of both the Graduate College and the graduate program, applicants who are nonnative speakers of English must demonstrate their proficiency in one of the following ways: 

  1. Submit official scores from one of the following English language exams. The minimum requirements of both the Graduate College and the graduate program applied to must be met. The minimum scores accepted by the Graduate College are:
    • Internet Based TOEFL (iBT) 79
    • Paper-Based TOEFL (PBT) 550 
    • IELTS 6.5 
    • Pearson Test of English (PTE) 53 
    • Duolingo English Test: 105 (approved through Spring 2025), 115 (approved through Spring 2026)

Note 2. The scores above are the minimum standards set by the Graduate College; however, graduate programs may set higher minima.

Official TOEFL exam results must be sent directly from the Educational Testing Service to Iowa State electronically. Our school code is 6306. 
Official IELTS and PTE results should be sent directly by the testing agencies to the Office of Admissions, Iowa State University, 100 Enrollment Services Center, Ames, IA 50011-2011. 

      2. Earn a bachelor’s, Master's, or Doctoral degree from a country where English is the only official language. For a list of such countries, please contact the Office of Admissions admissions@iastate.edu.

This policy can be found in Graduate College Handbook Chapter 1.3.3 English Proficiency.

Additionally, information about test scores and exemptions can be found on the Frequently Asked Questions page. 

For questions about the English Proficiency for Admission, please contact the Office of Admissions, grad_admissions@iastate.edu. 

English Requirement for Graduate Degree Completion - To Complete in the First Semester of Graduate Study

All admitted graduate students who are nonnative speakers of English (see Note 1 above) are required to complete the Graduate College's English Requirement for Graduate Degree Completion.  

Purpose: Demonstrate minimum English language proficiency needed to succeed academically in graduate studies.

To meet the English Requirement for Graduate Degree Completion, admitted graduate students who are nonnative speakers of English must demonstrate their proficiency in one of the following ways: 

  1. Take the English Placement Test (EPT). Students are required to take the EPT at the beginning of their first semester.
    • A student who does not pass the EPT is assigned to one or more courses in the ENGL 990 or ENGL 1010 series.
    • This coursework must be completed during the first year of graduate study.
    • There is no cost for the test. 
  2. Meet the EPT exemption criteria.

This policy can be found in Graduate College Handbook Chapter 4.4.3. 

Additional information about the EPT can be found on the English Placement Test website. 

For questions about the EPT or the ENGL 990 or ENGL 1010 courses, please contact the EPT Office ept@iastate.edu. 

For questions about the Graduate College English Requirement, please contact the Graduate College grad_college@iastate.edu.

Oral English Certification Test for International Teaching Assistants

Iowa State University and the Graduate College have an English language requirement for international students who are nonnative speakers of English (see Note 1 above) and are offered a teaching assistantship. These students are considered international teaching assistants (ITAs).

Purpose: Demonstrate ability to use the English for Teaching Purposes 

To meet the English language requirement for ITAs, students must demonstrate their proficiency in one of the following ways: 

  1. Take the Oral English Certification Test (OECT) in order to meet the Iowa Iowa Board of Regents Policy 3.21 English Language Proficiency (Oral Communication Competence). The OECT evaluates the ITAs’ ability to use English for instructional purposes.
    • ITAs are expected to take the OECT before they begin their teaching assistantships. If they do not pass the OECT with Level 1, they are required to complete the necessary section (A, B/C, and/or D) of GR ST5400 courses before or during the same semester as their teaching assistantships.
    • The types of teaching duties depend on the OECT levels. 
    • ITAs can retake the OECT at the end of the semester in which they take GR ST 5400.
    • There is no cost for the test.
  2. Meet full or partial OECT exemption criteria.

This policy can be found in Graduate College Handbook Chapter 4.4.3. 

Additional information about the OECT can be found on the Oral English Certification Test website. 

For questions about the OECT or GR ST5400 courses, please contact the ITA Program, Center for Communication Excellence at itas@iastate.edu.