Admissions Quick Tips
TOEFL Requirements
Admission to SVSU requires either a TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score of at least 500 (173 computer-based, 61 internet-based) or successful completion of SVSU's English Language Program. Conditional admission is available. IELTS (International English Langauge Testing System) and other standardized English test scores are also accepted as evidence of language proficiency.
Please note that all fully admitted Undergraduate Students with passing English Proficiency exam results (i.e. TOEFL) will take a basic skills test during the orientation program. This test will evaluate English language proficiency, and students may be assigned English language courses dependent upon their test results.
Graduate Students admitted with passing English proficiency exam results will not be required to take the basic skills test. "Conditionally admitted" Undergraduate and Graduate Students will take English Language Programs placement testing during orientation.
| Program | TOEFL Score | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS Band | Paper | Computer | iBT | |
| English Language Program | ||||
| Bachelor's Program | 5.5 | 500 | 173 | 61 |
| Graduate Programs | ||||
| Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) | 6.5-7.0 | 550 | 213 | 79 |
| Master of Education (M.Ed.) | 6.5-7.0 | 550 | 213 | 79 |
| Master of Business Administration (MBA) | 6.5-7.0 | 550 | 213 | 79 |
| Master of Arts Communication and Digital Media Design (CDMD) | 6.5 | 540 | 207 | 76 |
| Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) | 6.0 | 525 | 197 | 71 |
| Master of Arts Administrative Science (MAS) | 7.0 | 580 | 237 | 92 |
| Master of Arts Instructional Technology (MAIT) | 6.5-7.0 | 550 | 213 | 79 |
| Master of Arts E-Learning (MAEL) | 6.5-7.0 | 550 | 213 | 79 |
| Educational Specialist (Ed.S) | 6.5-7.0 | 550 | 213 | 79 |
| Master of Science Health Leadership (MSHL) | 7.0 | 580 | 237 | 92 |
| Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) | 6.0 | 525 | 197 | 71 |
Those students without a TOEFL score or with a TOEFL score below 500 may be admitted to the English Language Program and conditionally admitted to a degree program. Graduate applicants with a TOEFL score of 525-580 (197-237) may be conditionally admitted to graduate work, but will be required to take at least one course in English as a Second Language during their first semester at SVSU, as required by the Graduate Program Coordinator and English Language Program Director.
Basic Skills Test
In addition to meeting admission requirements, undergraduate students have to demonstrate basic proficiency in reading, writing and mathematics before they will be allowed to register. For more information, see the Math and English Placement page for International Students.
Transfer of Credit
The Office of Registrar at SVSU will perform a credit transfer evaluation from an American or foreign institution if:
- The credits are from an accredited post secondary institution.
- The courses taken are the same as, or similar to courses offered at SVSU.
- The student received a grade of "C" or better in the course. (Where transcripts are based on a different grading system, SVSU will evaluate the grades to determine if they equal a "C" or better.)
- The Student provides an official transcript and course descriptions in English.
- The Registrar is able to determine the content of the course and the number of classroom hours in the course.
To assist in the transfer of credit, it is helpful to send to us (or bring with you) a copy of the course syllabi and course descriptions, school catalog and any on-line resources that may assist in the credit transfer evaluation.
Evaluation Companies
To speed up the process of credit evaluation, you may choose to have your transcripts evaluated by one of the following companies:
- Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE) www.ece.org
- World Education Services, Inc. (WES) www.wes.org
- North American Educational Group (NAEG) www.naeg.org