Graduate applicants who are non-native speakers of English must demonstrate English language proficiency. Graduate programs at JMU invite high levels of student engagement through class discussions, collaborative projects, and interpersonal contact with professors and peers. The ability to communicate proficiently in the English language is vital to a student’s participation and success in the graduate program.

Provide a transcript of an earned Bachelor’s or higher degree from an accredited college or university in the U.S. or an accredited college or university outside the U.S. at which English is recognized as the official language of instruction.  Please visit the World Higher Education Database for a full list of countries where English is the official language of instruction exempting applicants from the English Proficiency requirement. Some of the countries where English is the official language of instruction include:

Submit satisfactory English language proficiency test scores from one of the following. These scores are typically acceptable*:

• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) iBT total score of 80 or above (see more details below)
• International English Language Testing System (IELTS) overall band score of 6.5 or above
• Duolingo total score of 105 or above.

*Some programs may require higher scores, please check with your program of interest to verify required minimum score. The scores on each of the subtests (reading, writing, speaking, and listening)  must be satisfactory.

How to submit scores

All official scores must be submitted directly to JMU from the testing service.

TOEFL 

JMU is aware that effective January 21, 2026, the reporting of TOEFL scores will be changing. To ease the impact for applicants, JMU will transition to the new score reports during the two year transition period. 

• TOEFL exams taken before January 21, 2026, a minimum TOEFL score of 80 on the internet-based TOEFL exam will continue to remain in effect.
• TOEFL exams taken after January 21, 2026 will require a minimum TOEFL exam scores of 80 OR a score of 4 on the NEW TOEFL internet-based scale.

Educational Testing Services (ETS) should send directly to JMU institution code 5392 or to:

The Graduate School
James Madison University
MSC 6702, 100 E. Grace St.
Harrisonburg, VA 22807

IELTS 

James Madison University is registered to receive IELTS scores using IELTS Results E-Delivery. Our identifying information is:

The Graduate School
James Madison University
MSC 6702, 100 E. Grace St.
Harrisonburg, VA 22807

There is no institution code for IELTS.

Duolingo

Duolingo should email scores directly to tgs@jmu.edu.

If you believe that you have an extraordinary way to demonstrate your English-language proficiency, after you submit your application, please send an e-mail to tgs@jmu.edu and include your evidence. Note that alternative ways of demonstrating English-language proficiency can take extra time because we must verify the information that you submit. JMU programs consider requests for exceptions on a case by case basis.