Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 29 October 2026
CCSU English minimums by level
From CCSU's first-year international page and international graduate students page. The first-year page also lists a TOEFL internet minimum of 4.5 as of 1 January 2026.
| Level or programme | IELTS Academic | Other tests |
|---|---|---|
| First-year undergraduate | 6.5 | TOEFL 79 internet / 213 computer / 550 paper, Duolingo 95, PTE 59 |
| Graduate | 6.5 | TOEFL 79 internet / 213 computer / 550 paper, Duolingo 105 |
Graduate waivers
For graduate admission, an undergraduate degree from a US institution, or from an overseas institution where the primary medium of instruction is English, may be considered as proof of English. The graduate page does not list PTE.
International students on an F-1 visa are not eligible for CCSU's non-degree graduate programmes or its Connecticut teacher preparation programmes.
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Intensive English Language Program
First-year applicants who do not meet the minimum may enrol in an Intensive English Language Program (IELP) before gaining full admission. The first-year page does not mention an English test waiver.
Requirements vary by programme and change between admission cycles. The score that binds you is the one on your CCSU programme page and in your admission letter, so check it there before you book a test.
Minimum vs competitive score
Where Central Connecticut State University 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 does CCSU need for a master's?+
A minimum IELTS band of 6.5.
What Duolingo score does CCSU accept?+
95 for first-year applicants and 105 for graduate applicants.
Is IELTS waived for an English-medium degree at CCSU?+
For graduate admission, a degree from an institution where English is the primary medium of instruction may be considered as proof of English.
Does CCSU accept PTE?+
PTE 59 is listed for first-year applicants. The graduate page does not list PTE.
Keep reading
Related
- Universities in the USA accepting IELTS 6.5
- Southern Connecticut State University IELTS requirement
- University of Hartford IELTS requirement
- UConn 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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