TOEFL Requirements

Applicants who only have international academic degrees must demonstrate English language proficiency by submitting official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores. The following minimum scores apply to applicants to Harvard School of Dental Medicine Advanced Graduate Education (AGE) and Advanced Standing programs.

HSDM TOEFL minimum test scores

*Acceptable scores have been slightly adjusted from the official TOEFL score conversion ranges to ensure compliance with Massachusetts dental licensure regulations while maintaining HSDM’s previous minimum score standards. 

TOEFL waiver criteria

HSDM will waive the TOEFL requirement for applicants who have earned a qualifying degree from an accredited post-secondary school where the curriculum and textbooks were in English.

Eligible degrees include:

• Bachelor’s degree (e.g., BA, BS)
• Master’s degree (minimum two-year program; e.g., MS, MA, MPH)
• Doctoral degree (e.g., PhD, EdD)
• Dental degree (DDS or DMD)

Acceptable test formats

HSDM accepts TOEFL iBT scores only. Applicants may submit MyBest scores, which combine an applicant’s highest section scores across multiple TOEFL iBT test dates. Tests taken in person are preferred, though the TOEFL iBT Home Edition is also accepted.

Scores must be from tests taken within the past two years.