Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 29 October 2026
Pitt State IELTS levels by programme
From Pitt State's international admission information and its Graduate Council IELTS policy, whose band rules were last amended in 2013.
| Programme | IELTS | Other tests |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate (most majors) | 6.0, at least 5.0 each band | TOEFL iBT 68 (15 each section); PTE 47; Duolingo 100 (100 each section) |
| Communication, Psychology, ESOL | 6.5, at least 5.5 each band | TOEFL 79 (15 each section); PTE 53; Duolingo 110 |
| Nursing | Not accepted | TOEFL iBT 79 only, with section minimums; cannot be waived |
| Graduate (policy) | 6.0, no band below 5.0; 6.5 with no band below 5.5 where TOEFL above 68 is required | See programme |
Exemptions
Undergraduates are exempt from TOEFL and IELTS if they graduated from an accredited US high school, or bring 24 transfer credits from an accredited US institution including English Composition at C or better. German applicants with a DAAD B2, C1 or C2 and Japanese applicants with GTEC 1125 are also exempt.
Institutional and ITP TOEFL scores are not accepted. Send TOEFL scores to code 6336.
Free test: are you at Pittsburg State University'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 and the Intensive English Program
Applicants without a passing score can receive conditional admission for most programmes. They must complete the highest level of the Intensive English Program before starting academic courses. Completing the IEP Academic Preparation Course is treated as equivalent to TOEFL 79. Graduate applicants should check their programme page, since the admission page lists no graduate minimums.
The US F-1 student visa sets no English test score of its own. What counts is the university's admission requirement, which leads to your Form I-20. For the wider picture, see IELTS for the USA.
Requirements vary by programme and change between admission cycles. The score that binds you is the one on your Pitt State programme page and in your admission letter, so check it there before you book a test.
Minimum vs competitive score
Where Pittsburg 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 Pittsburg State need?+
IELTS 6.0 overall with at least 5.0 in each band for most undergraduate majors.
Which Pitt State majors need IELTS 6.5?+
Communication, Psychology and ESOL ask for IELTS 6.5 with at least 5.5 in each band.
Can I use IELTS for Nursing at Pitt State?+
No. Nursing applicants born outside the US must submit a TOEFL iBT with section minimums, and it cannot be waived or substituted.
Does Pitt State accept Duolingo?+
Yes, 100 overall with at least 100 in each section for most majors.
Keep reading
Related
- Universities in the USA accepting IELTS 6.0
- Fort Hays State University IELTS requirement
- Emporia State University IELTS requirement
- Wichita State University IELTS requirement
- IELTS band score calculator
- 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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