School of Nursing English Proficiency Requirements
English Proficiency Requirements
The College of Nursing and Health Professions School of Nursing requires a high level of proficiency in English so that all students will be able to fully meet academic and clinical objectives as well as meet criteria for professional licensure.
Applicants whose primary language is not English or did not attend K-12 in the United States must demonstrate English language proficiency through the following tests:
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)with a score of 4.5 on the preferred internet-based test (iBT)
· For exams taken before January 21, 2026:
We require a minimum TOEFL iBT score of 86
· For exams taken on or after January 21, 2026:
We require a minimum TOEFL iBT score of 4.5
· International English Language Testing System (IELTS) with a score of at least 7 and a spoken band score of 7.
· Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE) with an overall score of 63.
· Accuplacer Exit ESL: with a score of 109
The TOEFL is available at the ASU Testing Center. When taking the exam off campus, the report code for A-State is 6011. The TOEFL iBT Home Edition is also accepted.
The Accuplacer Exit ESL is administered through International Programs. You can reach International Programs at 870-680-8342 for more information or visit the International Program Building, Room S301.
All test scores are valid for two (2) years.
Exemptions may apply: See A- State Undergraduate and Graduate admission pages for more information.
English as a Second Language
Students who do not meet the required English language proficiency may enroll in ASU’s English as a Second Language (ESL) program in the International Center for English. Potential nursing students enrolled in the ESL program must maintain an average of 85 or higher in levels 0 through 4. In the final or 5th level of the ESL program an average of 90 or higher must be maintained. On completion of the ESL program, the potential nursing student must take the internet-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Upon successfully meeting the proficiency requirement, potential students are eligible to apply to the School of Nursing.