A TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System) test score is required if the applicant's undergraduate education was completed in a non-English speaking country. Even if the applicant holds a master's-level degree from a U.S. or other English-speaking country, the applicant is required to take the TOEFL or IELTS exam. The TOEFL Internet (iBT) exam is preferred. 

A TOEFL Internet (iBT) of 83 is required for all D.M.A., M.M., M.A., M.F.A., and Ph.D. applicants. Applicants should score 22 on the writing section, 23 on the speaking section, 21 on the reading section, and 17 on the listening section. A TOEFL Internet (iBT) of 75 is required for A.D. applicants. TOEFL Paper (not recommended) score of 575 is required for D.M.A., M.M., M.A., M.F.A., and Ph.D. applicants. A TOEFL Paper (PBT) score of 537 is required for A.D. applicants. An acceptable IELTS score is bandwidth 7. If an applicant is missing required test scores, the application will not be reviewed by the graduate admissions committee.

Applicants of questionable language proficiency are required to take a test upon arrival at the university and may be required to take English as a Second Language coursework in the Program in American Language Studies (PALS). New international students who receive teaching assistantships are required to pass an oral proficiency test regardless of their TOEFL score. Nonimmigrant students must present evidence of adequate financial resources.