All M.A. candidates demonstrate reading competence in one foreign language, ancient or modern, as may be required in the programs or area of concentration. This requirement may be satisfied by passing the ETS Graduate School Foreign Language Test with a score of 450 or better or by presenting an acceptable record of at least 12 semester hours (or its equivalent) in a language.Applicants must upload an unofficial copy of transcripts from prior undergraduate and graduate work as part of their online application for admission. Official transcripts are required only after an offer of admission is made and accepted.
The university requires that international students, whose native language is not English and who received their degree from a non-English-speaking university, take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) exam to demonstrate English proficiency. A score of 230 or better on the computer-based test (570 on the paper-based test and 88 on the internet-based test) is recommended for students pursuing graduate degrees at Vanderbilt.
The Graduate School recently began accepting IELTS (International English Language Testing Service) scores, and has not set an official minimum requirement. However, it is safe to say that a score of at least 7.0 is desirable.