Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 29 October 2026
CSUDH English requirements by level
From CSUDH's international English proficiency page. Scores are valid for two years after the test date, and no band minimums are listed. You can upload a copy of your IELTS Test Report Form for verification or send results through IELTS e-delivery.
| Programme | IELTS Academic | Other tests |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | 5.5 | TOEFL iBT 61, PTE 44, Duolingo 95, SAT EBRW 550, ACT English 22 |
| Graduate | 6.5 | TOEFL iBT 80, PTE 53, Duolingo 105 |
| MA in English Literature | 6.5 | Duolingo 120 (TOEFL and PTE as above) |
Other routes and waivers
Undergraduates can also use AP English Language or Literature at 3, IB English HL at 4, or a General Education English composition course (Area A1) at C-. The test is waived for three full-time years of secondary or higher education in the US, or in a listed country where English is the sole language of instruction, such as Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Singapore, the UK and Canada (except Quebec).
Graduate applicants are also exempt with a comparable US bachelor's degree, a degree from an institution where English is the sole language of instruction, or a degree from a listed country. India and Pakistan are not on the country lists.
Free test: are you at CSUDH's score yet?
Take a free AI-scored IELTS mock test and get a band for each skill, so you know how far you are from the requirement before you book the real test. Free account, no card.
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Conditional admission through ALCP
Undergraduate and graduate applicants who meet every admission requirement except English may be offered conditional admission through the American Language and Culture Program (ALCP). Completing ALCP gives you an English proficiency waiver to start your degree in the next available term.
Requirements vary by programme and change between admission cycles. The score that binds you is the one on your CSUDH programme page and in your admission letter, so check it there before you book a test.
Minimum vs competitive score
Where California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH) publishes an IELTS score, it is the minimum: the floor an application has to meet to be considered, not a score that guarantees an offer.
Competitive programmes, and courses with far more applicants than places, may expect more than the minimum, and some departments set their own overall or per-skill scores, often for writing or speaking. The course page has the final word, so check it before you book a test.
If you are close to the line, aim for a margin above it: one weak skill can miss the requirement even when the overall band clears it. Not sure where you stand? Take a free IELTS mock test and get a band for each skill.
Frequently asked questions
What IELTS score does Cal State Dominguez Hills require?+
IELTS 5.5 for undergraduates and 6.5 for graduate applicants.
Does CSUDH accept Duolingo?+
Yes. Duolingo 95 for undergraduates and 105 for graduates, or 120 for the MA in English Literature.
Can an English-medium degree waive IELTS at CSUDH?+
For graduate applicants, yes, if the degree is from an institution where English is the sole language of instruction.
Does CSUDH offer conditional admission?+
Yes, through the American Language and Culture Program for applicants who meet everything except English.
Keep reading
Related
- Universities in the USA accepting IELTS 5.5
- Cal State Long Beach IELTS requirement
- Cal State LA IELTS requirement
- Cal State Bakersfield IELTS requirement
- IELTS for the USA: scores by university
- All 2279 guides
Guide updated on 29 October 2026. Individual prices and policies may have earlier observation dates. Confirm current details on the linked official pages before you book or apply.
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