International Center
English Requirements
Regular Admission
The acceptable TOEFL score for undergraduate placement in regular university classes is 61 (Internet based) or 500 (paper based). The acceptable TOEFL score for graduate placement in regular university classes is 79 (Internet based) or 550 (paper based). Our graduate program in Teaching English as a Second Language requires a minimum TOEFL score of 227 (computer based), 86 (Internet based) or 565 (paper based).
IELTS scores are also accepted at UCM. Regular undergraduate applicants should have a band score of 5.5 and regular graduate students should have a band score of 6.0.
Additional English proficiency testing is part of orientation for undergraduate students who have secured regular admission. This additional English testing is a speak and essay test that is administered by the Department of English and ensures that you are ready for academic work at the university level. This is a required part of orientation, and undergraduate students who do not participate in the assessment may be automatically enrolled in an additional English class. The assessment results determine if a student is required to take two additional English courses. If required, these courses are taken for credit and can be taken along with other regular academic classes. Read more about this assessment here.
Some students will be exempt from the additional English testing. Those students include:
1) Students who have earned a TOEFL score or equivalent of 580 (paper-based), or 92 (Internet-based).
2) Students from countries defined as having English as the primary official language of education.
3) Students who have earned an Associate's, Bachelor's, or Master's degree from a university in a country in which English is the native language, including all universities inside the United States.
4) Students who have earned a minimum of 30 regular semester hours (US equivalent) from a US university. Hours earned from an Intensive English Program are not counted toward the 30 hour requirement.
5) Graduate students (Except those majoring in TESL).
Conditional Admission
The acceptable TOEFL score for undergraduate placement as a conditionally admitted student is 45 (Internet based), 450 (paper based) or 4.0 IELTS.. The acceptable TOEFL score for graduate placement as a conditionally admitted student is 500 (paper base, 61 internet-based or 5.5 IELTS.. The English proficiency level of international students requesting conditional admission that are unable to take the TOEFL or IELTS examination will be reviewed on an individual basis. Special consideration during the admission process will be given to English courses completed by the applicant in secondary school, post-secondary school, or an institution which specializes in English language training. International students granted conditional admission are admitted into a specific academic program, however, they may not enroll in regular university classes without first earning the minimum TOEFL / IELTS score for regular admission.
An opportunity to take an institutional TOEFL examination prior to the start of fall and spring semester is provided to each conditionally admitted student with test results available within 24 hours. To take the institutional TOEFL, students must register ahead of time by submitting the registration form.
Should the minimum TOEFL score for regular admission be received, an admission status adjustment from conditional to regular is made and the student may enroll in regular university classes. Should the student fail to achieve the minimum TOEFL score necessary for regular admission, the conditional admission status is maintained and the student is required to enroll as a full-time student in English language courses offered by our Intensive English Program.
Intensive English Program Admission
International students who wish to pursue a university degree within a specific academic discipline but do not meet minimum conditional admission TOEFL / IELTS requirements may be granted admission into our Intensive English Program. However, these students are not eligible for admission into a specific academic program. Admission into our Intensive English Program does not suggest and/or guarantee conditional or regular admission into University of Central Missouri as a degree seeking student. Admission into our Intensive English Program is often requested by individuals who simply wish to become more proficient in the English language abilities for future educational or career ambitions.
TOEFL Requirements for Specific Countries
| Country | TOEFL Required to Apply | Speak and Essay Test Required at Orientation |
| Algeria | Yes | Yes |
| Angola | Yes | Yes |
| Anguilla | Yes | Yes |
| Argentina | Yes | Yes |
| Australia | No | No |
| Austria | Yes | Yes |
| Azerbaijan | Yes | Yes |
| Bahamas, The | No | No |
| Bahrain | Yes | Yes |
| Bangladesh | Yes | Yes |
| Barbados | No | No |
| Belarus | Yes | Yes |
| Belgium | Yes | Yes |
| Belize | Yes | Yes |
| Bolivia | Yes | Yes |
| Botswana | No | Yes |
| Brazil | Yes | Yes |
| Bulgaria | Yes | Yes |
| Burkina Faso | Yes | Yes |
| Burma | Yes | Yes |
| Cambodia | Yes | Yes |
| Cameroon | No | Yes |
| Canada | No | No |
| Chad | Yes | Yes |
| China | Yes | Yes |
| Colombia | Yes | Yes |
| Congo, Democratic Republic of The | Yes | Yes |
| Croatia | Yes | Yes |
| Cyprus | Yes | Yes |
| Czech Republic | Yes | Yes |
| Denmark | Yes | Yes |
| Ecuador | Yes | Yes |
| Egypt | Yes | Yes |
| Ethiopia | Yes | Yes |
| Finland | Yes | Yes |
| France | Yes | Yes |
| Gambia, The | No | Yes |
| Gaza Strip | Yes | Yes |
| Germany | Yes | Yes |
| Ghana | No | Yes |
| Greece | Yes | Yes |
| Grenada | Yes | Yes |
| Honduras | Yes | Yes |
| Hong Kong | Yes | Yes |
| Hungary | Yes | Yes |
| Iceland | Yes | Yes |
| India | Yes | Yes |
| Indonesia | Yes | Yes |
| Iran | Yes | Yes |
| Iraq | Yes | Yes |
| Israel | Yes | Yes |
| Italy | Yes | Yes |
| Jamaica | No | No |
| Japan | Yes | Yes |
| Jordan | Yes | Yes |
| Kazakhstan | Yes | Yes |
| Kenya | No | Yes |
| Kuwait | Yes | Yes |
| Laos | Yes | Yes |
| Lebanon | Yes | Yes |
| Liberia | No | Yes |
| Malawi | Yes | Yes |
| Malaysia | Yes | Yes |
| Mali | Yes | Yes |
| Mauritania | Yes | Yes |
| Mexico | Yes | Yes |
| Moldova | Yes | Yes |
| Mongolia | Yes | Yes |
| Morocco | Yes | Yes |
| Nepal | Yes | Yes |
| Netherlands | Yes | Yes |
| New Zealand | No | No |
| Nigeria | No | Yes |
| Norway | Yes | Yes |
| Oman | Yes | Yes |
| Pakistan | Yes | Yes |
| Panama | Yes | Yes |
| Peru | Yes | Yes |
| Philippines | Yes | Yes |
| Poland | Yes | Yes |
| Romania | Yes | Yes |
| Russia | Yes | Yes |
| Rwanda | Yes | Yes |
| Saint Kitts and Nevis | No | No |
| Saudi Arabia | Yes | Yes |
| Senegal | Yes | Yes |
| Serbia | Yes | Yes |
| Sierra Leone | No | Yes |
| Singapore | Yes | Yes |
| Slovakia | Yes | Yes |
| Somalia | Yes | Yes |
| South Africa | Yes | Yes |
| South Korea | Yes | Yes |
| Spain | Yes | Yes |
| Sri Lanka | Yes | Yes |
| Sudan | Yes | Yes |
| Sweden | Yes | Yes |
| Syria | Yes | Yes |
| Taiwan | Yes | Yes |
| Tanzania | No | Yes |
| Thailand | Yes | Yes |
| Togo | Yes | Yes |
| Trinidad & Tobago | No | Yes |
| Tunisia | Yes | Yes |
| Turkey | Yes | Yes |
| Turks and Caicos Islands | No | No |
| Uganda | No | Yes |
| Ukraine | Yes | Yes |
| United Arab Emirates | Yes | Yes |
| United Kingdom | No | No |
| Uzbekistan | Yes | Yes |
| Venezuela | Yes | Yes |
| Vietnam | Yes | Yes |
| West Bank | Yes | Yes |
| Yemen | Yes | Yes |
| Zambia | No | Yes |
| Zimbabwe | No | Yes |
