Murray State English requirements at a glance
Sources: Murray State's international application page and its international graduate requirements by program. Murray State does not give a TOEFL figure on the new 1–6 scale or a score validity period on these pages.
| Level | IELTS Academic | TOEFL iBT | Duolingo | PTE Academic |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate and graduate (general) | 6.0 | 71 | 100 | 51 |
| Full admission with condition | 5.5 | 61 | 90 | 45 |
| Clinical Psychology MA/MS | 6.5, no section below 6.0 | 88, no section below 20 | Not listed | Not listed |
| History MA | 7.0, no section below 6.5 | No section below 22 | Not listed | Not listed |
| Speech-Language Pathology MS | 8.0, no section below 7.0 | 114 | Not listed | Not listed |
Graduate: IELTS 6.0 for most programs, higher for some
The international application page gives the same English minimums for master's and doctoral applicants as for undergraduates, with a note that some graduate programs set higher ones. Other accepted options include TOEIC 790 with 160 in speaking, GTEC 1190, SAT 960, Kaplan Advanced, Cambridge B2 or completing Murray State's ESL program. See the international application page.
On the program list, the MS in Information Systems and the MBA ask for IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL 71; the MSIS also allows conditional admission at IELTS 5.5 or TOEFL 61–70, and says applicants should have no more than three failing grades (backlogs) in their undergraduate studies. The MS in Agriculture asks for 6.0 in every IELTS band, TOEFL 71 with at least 15 per section, or Duolingo 100 in all areas. The MPA asks for IELTS 6.0 with no section below 5.0 or TOEFL 79 with no section below 16.
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Conditional admission and exempt countries
Conditionally admitted students start in Murray State's ESL program. Conditional admission is open to all undergraduate programs and some graduate programs; undergraduates must then keep a 2.0 GPA and graduate students a 3.0 GPA in their first semester. See the international application page.
Students from a listed set of countries do not need to submit scores, including the UK, Ireland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya and Uganda. India and Pakistan are not on the list. Undergraduates can also qualify with one full-time semester (12 credits) at an accredited US institution with a 2.5 GPA, or by graduating from a US high school.
Student visa and next steps
The US F-1 student visa sets no English test score of its own. What counts is the requirement Murray State sets for admission, which leads to your Form I-20. For the wider picture of studying in the US with each test, see IELTS for the USA and PTE for the USA.
Requirements change between admission cycles. Check the Murray State international graduate requirements page again before you book a test, and check your own program page, which can set a higher bar.
Minimum vs competitive score
Where Murray 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 score do I need for an MS at Murray State?+
IELTS 6.0 for most programs, including the MS in Information Systems and the MBA. Some programs ask for 6.5 to 8.0.
Can I get into Murray State with IELTS 5.5?+
Yes, as full admission with condition through the ESL program, for all undergraduate programs and some graduate programs. PTE 45, TOEFL 61 or Duolingo 90 also qualify.
Does Murray State accept PTE and Duolingo?+
Yes. The general minimums are PTE 51 or Duolingo 100.
Are Indian students exempt from IELTS at Murray State?+
No. India is not on Murray State's list of countries exempt from submitting English scores.
Keep reading
Related
- IELTS for the USA
- TOEFL to IELTS converter
- Western Kentucky IELTS requirement
- University of Kentucky IELTS requirement
- All 1783 guides
Verified against the linked official sources on 15 October 2026. Rules change: confirm on the official page before you book or apply.
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