Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 30 October 2026
Shippensburg English requirements by programme
From the international applicants page and the graduate international applicants page.
| Programme | IELTS Academic | Other tests |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate (recommended) | 6.0 | TOEFL iBT 4 (new scale), Duolingo 95 |
| Graduate (most programmes) | 6.0 | TOEFL iBT 4, Duolingo 95 |
| MS Biology | 6.5 | TOEFL 4.5, Duolingo 105 |
| MS Strategic Communication | 6.0 overall, 6.0 in writing | TOEFL 4.5, Duolingo 105 |
| MEd Special Education | 6.0 (5.5 considered if reading and writing are 6.0 or higher) | TOEFL 4.5, Duolingo 100 |
Exemptions and the SAT
Undergraduates from a country where English is the native or official language may be exempt from TOEFL or IELTS, but the SAT is then required. A score of 560 on SAT Evidence Based Reading and Writing exempts undergraduates from TOEFL, IELTS and Duolingo. The TOEFL code for Shippensburg is 2657.
The pages do not list PTE.
Free test: are you at Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania'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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How to check your programme
Scores must be sent directly by the testing agency. The graduate page says some programmes require different scores from the general minimum, so check your programme's own entry before you book.
Requirements vary by programme and change between admission cycles. The score that binds you is the one on your Shippensburg programme page and in your admission letter, so check it there before you book a test.
Minimum vs competitive score
Where Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania 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 Shippensburg University require?+
6.0 is recommended for undergraduates and required for most graduate programmes. The MS in Biology asks for 6.5.
Does Shippensburg accept Duolingo?+
Yes. Duolingo 95 in general, 100 for MEd Special Education and 105 for MS Biology and MS Strategic Communication.
Can the SAT replace IELTS at Shippensburg?+
Yes for undergraduates. SAT Evidence Based Reading and Writing 560 exempts you from the English test.
Does Shippensburg accept PTE?+
The international pages list TOEFL, IELTS and Duolingo only.
Keep reading
Related
- Universities in the USA accepting IELTS 6.0
- Slippery Rock University IELTS requirement
- Mercyhurst University IELTS requirement
- Indiana University of Pennsylvania IELTS requirement
- IELTS for the USA: scores by university
- All 3112 guides
Guide updated on 30 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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