English Proficiency

No single factor in the consideration for admission is more important than a student's ability to read, write, speak and understand the English language. Course work demands university-level English language proficiency and skills. The University requires all applicants whose native language is not English to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exam before they can be considered for final admission. Students should have their test results sent directly to The Catholic University of America.

English Proficiency Testing Services

TOEFL Educational Testing Service

www.ets.org/toefl/

Email: [email protected]
Phone: 609-771-7100

P.O. Box 6155

Princeton, NJ 08541 USA

TOEFL Code Number -5104

International English Language Testing System (IELTS)

www.ielts.org

Email: [email protected]
Phone: 626-564-2954

100 E. Corson St., Suite 200

Pasadena, CA 91103

International English Language Testing System 

englishtest.duolingo.com/test_takers

Email: [email protected]
Phone: 412-567-6602

5900 Penn Ave, Second Floor 

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15206

Pearson PTE English Language Tests

www.pearsonpte.com

Email: [email protected]

330 Hudson St.

New York City, NY 10013

*For exams taken before January 21, 2026, the Minimum total score: 80 

For exams taken after January 21, 2026, the Minimum total score: 4.5

Campus Mailing Address

• Office of Undergraduate Admission
  Father O’Connell Hall, Rm 102
  620 Michigan Ave, N.E.
  Washington, D.C. 20064

  Phone: 202-319-5305
  Toll-Free: 800-673-2772

  [email protected]

• Attn: Enrollment Operations
  620 Michigan Ave, N.E.
  Washington, D.C. 20064

  Phone: 202-319-5057
  Toll-Free: 800-673-2772

  [email protected]

When / How can test scores be waived?

The English language testing requirement can be waived on a case-by-case basis should the applicant have appropriate documentation of successful completion of one of the following:

1. A college-level English Composition class determined to be the equivalent of or more advanced than Catholic University's English Composition 101 course, with a grade of B or above for applicants to undergraduate programs.
2. A graduate degree, a Bachelor's Degree (B.A. or B.S.), or an Associates Degree (A. A.) from an accredited U.S. institution of higher education or a high school diploma. Graduates from a U.S. high school are required however to submit SAT/ACT scores.

For additional questions or more information, please reach out to the Office of Graduate Admissions at [email protected].