The demonstration of English proficiency is required of all applicants for whom (1) English is not their native or birth language or (2) who were not born in the United States of America. This applies even if the applicant is a United States citizen, has attended an American or English-speaking school, and/or is a long-time resident of an English-speaking country.
Waivers for this English proficiency requirement will only be given to applicants who have completed both High School and an accredited bachelor’s program in the US. Additionally, the Admissions Committee reserves the right to require an official TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test score from any applicant whose correspondence and/or application materials do not evidence the necessary level of English Language proficiency for graduate study.
Applicants demonstrate their proficiency in English by submitting satisfactory scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or the Duolingo English Test (DET) taken within two years of the date of application.
TOEFL
The Admissions Office accepts the following:
- TOEFL iBT
- TOEFL iBT Home Edition
- TOEFL iBT Paper Edition
- TOEFL ITP Plus for China
Note: The Admissions Office does not accept MyBest score or TOEFL Essentials.
The minimum score on the Internet-based TOEFL (iBT) for the CGS, MBTS, and all MA programs is 86, with subscores of 21 for Reading and Listening and 22 for Speaking and Writing. The minimum requirement for the ThM, STM, and all doctoral programs is 90, with subscores of 22 for Reading and Listening and 23 for Speaking and Writing.
Information about the TOEFL may be obtained from: www.ets.org/toefl. The TOEFL institution code for Dallas Theological Seminary is 6156.
A helpful study guide for the TOEFL can be found here.
IELTS
The minimum overall score requirements for the CGS, MBTS, and all MA programs is 6.5 with subscores of 6.0 in Writing, and 6.5 in Reading, Speaking, and Listening. The minimum requirement for the ThM, STM, and all doctoral programs is 6.5 with subscores of 6.0 in Writing, 7.0 in Speaking, and 6.5 in Reading and Listening.
You should plan to take the IELTS Academic test. Information about this test can be obtained from www.ielts.org. To ensure DTS receives your scores, please use the following information when you register for the test:
Dallas Theological Seminary
Office of Admissions
3909 Swiss Ave
Dallas, TX 75204
Duolingo English Test
The minimum overall score requirement for the GCCS, MBTS, and all MA programs is 115 with subscores of 120 in Reading, 120 in Listening, 125 in Speaking, and 130 in Writing. The minimum overall score requirement for the ThM and STM is 120 with subscores of 120 in Reading, 120 in Listening, 130 in Speaking, and 135 in Writing. Please be aware that the Duolingo English Test will not be accepted for admission into doctoral programs. Information about the Duolingo English Test can be found here: https://englishtest.duolingo.com/test_takers
