English Proficiency
Testing Requirements
UNMC graduate courses are advanced and require a firm understanding of the English language in order to best succeed. That's why we require all students whose first language is not English to take a proficiency test.
The tests you can take to show English language proficiency are listed below, together with minimum score requirements. Some programs may have higher minimum score requirements. We require the official score reports, not photocopies of the scores. We will not accept scores that are more than two years old.
TOEFL iBT
Minimum score = 80
Revised TOEFL Paper-delivered test
Minimum total of the section scores = 60
IELTS (academic test)
Minimum band score of 6.5
Minimum score = 120
Please Note- Applicants to the IGPBS Graduate Program minimum scores are listed below:
TOEFL iBT
Minimum score = 95 (minimum score 20 in each category)
IELTS (academic test)
Minimum band score = 6.5
Submitting your official TOEFL scores to UNMC
For more information on how to submit your official TOEFL scores to UNMC, please refer to these instructions.
TOEFL and IELTS scores are sent to UNMC electronically. The ETS Institution Code for UNMC is 6896.
Duolingo Test Access Information
A few days after taking the exam, you will receive the certified test results. You will need to log on to your account and click on the "send results" button next to your test results. Finally, select the University of Nebraska Medical Center Graduate Studies to have your results sent to us. For additional information, please review the Frequently Asked Questions.
Duolingo Minimum Test Score = 120
English proficiency exam update due to the COVID-19 pandemic
Due to closure of many testing centers beginning in February 2020, we will temporarily accept scores on the following English proficiency exams in lieu of those noted above.
TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition (offered where TOEFL iBT testing is normally available, except Mainland China and Iran)
Minimum score = 80
TOEFL ITP Plus for China Solution (available until TOEFL iBT test centers reopen)
Minimum total score = 572
Exemptions
You may be exempt from the English proficiency requirement if you have been studying at a university inside the U.S. for at least one academic year or attending a university in a country where the only official language is English, such as U.K., Australia or Canada (excluding Quebec).
To request an exemption from the English proficiency requirement, please fill out this online form. Graduate Studies will contact you after completion to let you know if you are eligible for an exemption.
Evaluation for a waiver of the English language proficiency exam is not determined by the prevalence of spoken English in a country or the language of instruction at a university.