We require all non-native English speakers to take and pass one of several available proficiency exams. Scores are valid for two years from the date of the exam. All test results must be received as official documentation in a sealed envelope from the testing institution.
*Please note: For students applying to our Canadian campuses who are eligible for and wish to apply for a Study Permit via the Student Direct Stream (SDS), there are a number of language tests that may be used to demonstrate English Language Proficiency, as outlined by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). To learn more about SDS applications, qualifications, and requirements, please visit https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/study-permit/student-direct-stream/eligibility.html#tests.
TOEFL: Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL Code for CPS: 4999)
Internet-based and measures four areas of English language skills: speaking, listening, writing, and reading.
The College of Professional Studies only accepts TOEFL results from the ETS database. Please use institution code 4999.
| PROGRAM | MINIMUM SCORE REQUIRED |
|---|---|
| Doctor of Education | 100 |
| All other graduate programs | 79 and a writing portion of 20 |
| Bachelor’s Completion | 79 |
Academic IELTS: International English Language Testing System
Measures ability to communicate in English across listening, reading, writing, and speaking skills.
The College of Professional Studies only accepts IELTS results delivered to our Electronic Download account by the IELTS test center. An institution code for IELTS is NOT required. Please contact the test center where you took the IELTS test directly, and request that your test scores be sent to the account name: Northeastern University College of Professional Studies.
| PROGRAM | MINIMUM SCORE REQUIRED |
|---|---|
| Graduate | 6.5 no band lower than 6 |
| Doctor of Education | 7 no band lower than a 6.5 |
| Bachelor’s Completion | 6.5 |
Pearson
PTE Academic measures your English ability by testing your level of English through tasks which reflect real-life settings.
| PROGRAM | MINIMUM SCORE REQUIRED |
|---|---|
| All graduate programs | 53 |
| All bachelor’s completion programs | 53 |
Duolingo English Test
Duolingo English Test is a modern English proficiency assessment available online, on demand. The exam can be taken from home via a computer and webcam and is administered using computer adaptive technology, meaning that the question difficulty adapts to each test taker. The test also integrates a video interview and writing sample, all of which are sent to the institution for final assessment. The entire test experience takes just under an hour and test results are certified within 48 hours.
| PROGRAM | MINIMUM SCORE REQUIRED (ON 160-POINT SCALE) | MINIMUM SCORE REQUIRED (ON 100-POINT SCALE) |
|---|---|---|
| Graduate | 105 | 48 |
| Doctor of Education | 120 | 68 |
| Bachelor’s Completion | 105 | 48 |
ESL Pathways
ELS
| All graduate programs (excluding Doctoral programs) | Level 112 (*Only for SACM sponsored students) |
| Bachelor’s Completion | Level 112 |
Kaplan
| Bachelor’s Completion | Advanced level certificate |
English Language Waiver
In order to qualify for a language waiver, students must hold the following credentials:
- Conferred associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree from the list of approved English speaking countries: Anguilla, Antigua, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Canada (except Quebec), Cayman Islands, Dominica, Ghana, Grenada, Greenland, Guyana, Jamaica, Kenya*, Liberia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Republic of Ireland, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, South Africa, Tobago, Tanzania*, Trinidad, Turks, Uganda*, Zambia*, Zimbabwe*, and Caicos Islands, United Kingdom, U.S.A, US Virgin Islands
- Conferred associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree from any institution where English is the only medium of instruction**
- Enrolled in the final semester of a degree program in one of the aforementioned countries
*Added as a language waiver country as of September 1, 2024.
**Added as a policy change in effect as of September 1, 2024.
Graduate Quarter International Deadlines:
| OUT-OF-COUNTRY DEADLINES | SPRING 2024 | SUMMER 2024 | FALL 2024 | WINTER 2025 |
| Application Complete: Out-of-Country Deadline | 2/5/24 | 5/6/24 | 7/15/24 | 11/4/24 |
| Enrollment Confirmation: Out-of Country Deadline | 2/19/24 | 5/20/24 | 8/5/24 | 11/18/24 |
| Initial I-20 Request Deadline | 2/19/24 | 5/20/24 | 8/5/24 | 11/18/24 |
| Graduate Term Start Dates | 4/8/24 | 7/8/24 | 9/16/24 | 1/6/25 |
| IN-COUNTRY DEADLINES | SPRING 2024 | SUMMER 2024 | FALL 2024 | WINTER 2025 |
| Application Complete: In-Country Deadline | 3/11/24 | 6/10/24 | 8/19/24 | 12/9/24 |
| Enrollment Confirmation: In-Country Deadline | 3/18/24 | 6/17/24 | 8/26/24 | 12/16/24 |
| Transfer I-20 Request Deadline | 3/18/24 | 6/17/24 | 8/26/24 | 12/16/24 |
| Graduate Term Start Dates | 4/10/23 | 7/10/23 | 9/16/24 | 1/6/25 |
Bachelor’s Completion Semester International Deadlines:
| OUT-OF-COUNTRY DEADLINES | SUMMER 2024 | FALL 2024 | SPRING 2025 |
| Application Complete: Out-of-Country Deadline | 3/4/24 | 7/8/24 | 11/12/24 |
| Enrollment Confirmation: Out-of Country Deadline | 3/18/24 | 7/22/24 | 11/25/24 |
| Initial I-20 Request Deadline | 3/18/24 | 7/22/24 | 11/25/24 |
| Bachelor’s Completion Term Start Dates | 5/8/23 | 9/4/24 | 1/6/25 |
| IN-COUNTRY DEADLINES | SUMMER 2024 | FALL 2024 | SPRING 2025 |
| Application Complete: In-Country Deadline | 4/8/24 | 8/12/24 | 12/9/24 |
| Enrollment Confirmation: In-Country Deadline | 4/15/24 | 8/19/24 | 12/16/24 |
| Transfer I-20 Request Deadline | 4/15/24 | 8/19/24 | 12/16/24 |
| Bachelor’s Completion Term Start Dates | 5/8/23 | 9/4/24 | 1/6/25 |
*The following programs are the only programs that meet F1 visa requirements for full-time study during the summer term. International students who wish to study full-time on an F1 visa are not eligible to begin classes in other graduate or bachelor’s completion programs during the summer term:
- Master of Professional Studies in Analytics
- Master of Professional Studies in Applied Machine Intelligence
- Master of Science in Commerce and Economic Development
- Master of Science in Corporate and Organizational Communication
- Master of Science in Global Studies and International Relations
- Master of Science in Human Resources Management
- Master of Professional Studies in Informatics
- Master of Professional Studies in Insurance Analytics and Management
- Master of Science in Nonprofit Management
- Master of Science in Organizational Leadership
- Master of Science in Project Management (not Construction Management)
- Master of Science in Regulatory Affairs
- Bachelor of Science in Finance and Accounting Management
- Bachelor of Science in Management
**No I-20 requests can be made prior to being admitted into a degree program. Please do not send I-20 materials with your application materials. All I-20-related documents must be submitted electronically through myOGS, which is only accessible after admitted students have activated their myNortheastern account. More information on the visa process can be found here.
By following the suggested timelines linked below, you should easily meet all requirements to begin classes during the term of your choice.
- Timeline for initial international students (pdf)
- Timeline for transferring international students (pdf)
Talk to an Enrollment Representative
We can walk you through your program options and the application process.
Call Toll-Free: 877.668.7727
Email: Contact Us