At the graduate studies level, there are three levels of proficiency in English for master’s and PhD programs: Regular Admission, Dual Admission (Admission with English Deficiency) and Conditional Admission. UWM accepts as evidence of English proficiency TOEFL IBT, IELTS, and Cambridge English: Advanced and Cambridge English: Proficiency. All tests cover the same skills and applicants may submit results from whichever test they choose to take.
Test Scores for English Proficiency Requirement (for Master’s and PhD Programs)
| Full Admission | Dual Admission | Conditional Admission | |
| TOEFL IBT (not Home Edition) | 79 – 120 | 68 – 78 | 0 – 67 |
| IELTS | 6.5 – 9.0 | 6.0 | 0 – 5.5 |
| Cambridge English: Advanced / Cambridge English: Proficiency | C1 level or higher | B2 level | Below B2 level |
| Duolingo | 120-160 | 95-115 | 10-90 |
| PTE | 58-90 | 50-57 | 0-49 |
Reporting Scores
- Applicants must send TOEFL scores from ETS electronically to school code 1473.
- Applicants can upload a copy of their official IELTS or Duolingo score report into the application portal online.
- English proficiency test scores cannot be more than 2 years old.
Admission Type Descriptions
Full Admission
Students admitted in this category do not have any enrollment restrictions based on their English proficiency.
Dual Admission
Students admitted in this category are eligible to enroll in six credits of academic coursework and are also required to enroll in English for Academic Purposes (EAP) coursework. You must demonstrate full English language proficiency within three semesters of initial enrollment at UWM by one of the following:
- Submitting a TOEFL, IELTS, or CAE/CPE score that meets the score range (or higher score if required for a specific degree program) for full admission; or,
- Achieving a CEFR level of C1 (or higher level if required for a specific degree program) through assessment of a portfolio that includes the following:
- a grade of B or better in EAP 420 and passing the impromptu writing sample; or,
- a grade of B or better in EAP 435 and passing a speaking test.
Conditional Admission
Not every graduate program considers applicants for conditional admission, so applicants seeking conditional admission should contact the graduate program representative of their respective program to inquire whether the program considers applicants for conditional admission.
Additionally, if an applicant has no TOEFL score or no IELTS score and wants to be considered for conditional admission, the applicant must contact the graduate program representative to request approval to apply for conditional admission. If the program representative approves the applicant’s request, the approval will be noted on the applicant’s application record.
Students with conditional admission are required to enroll full time in the UWM Intensive English Program. Additionally, conditionally admitted students may not enroll in academic coursework or hold a graduate assistantship position. Students with conditional admission must achieve at least a CEFR B2 level within two semesters of initial enrollment at UWM through one of the following:
- presenting a new official TOEFL, IELTS, or CAE/CPE score that meets the English proficiency requirement for dual admission for the program of the student; or,
- achieving a CEFR level of B2 through portfolio assessment after completion of at least one semester in the UWM Intensive English Program
English for Academic Purposes (EAP) Information for International Teaching Assistants
The University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee International Teaching Assistant Assessment (MITAA) is a requirement for some international teaching assistants who are non-native speakers of English and who will be assigned classroom duties as part of a graduate teaching assistantship. Visit this page for more information.