Proficiency in reading, writing, speaking, and understanding English is essential to your success at the OU Health Sciences Center. If English is not your first language, you will be required to demonstrate English language proficiency before admission. See the list of English proficiency requirements by academic program.
- Who is required to take TOEFL (iBT) or IELTS?
- Persons born outside of the U.S. including naturalized U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and international applicants.
- Persons born in U.S. territories where English is not the first language.
- Who is exempt from taking TOEFL (iBT) or IELTS?
- Applicants born abroad to parents with U.S. native citizenship with a U.S. birth certificate or passport.
- Applicants born in one of the OUHSC Approved Native English-Speaking Countries.
- Applicants with degrees awarded from the University of Oklahoma.
- Applicants with degrees awarded from Institutions other than OU, if listed on the English Proficiency Requirements chart.
- U.S. Naturalized citizens, permanent residents, green card holders, and U.S. military personnel who have spent the last two or more years working continuously in the U.S. (or with the U.S. military) are eligible for automatic waivers.
- How can I satisfy the English proficiency requirement?
- Submit minimum TOEFL (iBT) or IELTS scores listed on the English Proficiency Requirements chart.
- Complete the institutional TOEFL examination offered through the University of Oklahoma, Norman campus. To learn about registration and see a list of exam dates go to http://cidl.ou.edu/ or call (405)325-1208. Exams administered through institutions other than the University of Oklahoma will not be accepted.
- How should I send my official test scores?
- Send TOEFL (iBT) scores to the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center by going to the TOEFL website and following the instructions for score reporting. The institution code for OUHSC is 6902.
- Send IELTS scores by following the instructions on the IELTS website. OUHSC accepts paper Test Report Forms.
- What additional information should I know?
- Test scores expire after two years, so scores over two years old by the beginning of the term in which you wish to start are not accepted.
- The University of Oklahoma HSC has high standards for English proficiency; therefore, it does not waive the English proficiency requirement for transferring students with completion of twenty-four semester hours of coursework from the U.S. unless noted in the English Proficiency Requirements chart.
- An application is not complete until the University receives official scores from the testing agency, or the formal approval of a waiver request.
- How can I request a waiver exception?
- Applicants who do not meet the minimum TOEFL or IELTS requirement, but have compelling evidence of having English proficiency with supporting documentation, may REQUEST A WAIVER. The submission of a waiver request does not guarantee its approval. Allow 1-2 weeks for decision notification.