Testing Requirements for Graduate & Post-Baccalaureates
Graduate Writing Test (GWT)
All persons who receive undergraduate, graduate, or external degrees from Cal Poly Pomona must pass the Graduation Writing Test (GWT). Credential students may waive the GWT, but will need to pass it to be admitted to the master's program.
Graduate Record Exam (GRE) and Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT)
Some departments require new graduate students to take the General and/or Subject Test of the GRE before admission.
The GMAT is required for those who seek the Master of Business Administration degree or the degree of Master of Science in Business Administration. Some departments also require the Subject Test of the GRE in their subject matter areas. Other departments require a locally developed qualification exam.
Admission generally will depend upon test scores.
Required Admissions Tests
| Program | GRE (General) |
GRE (Subject) |
GMAT |
| Ed.D. in Educational Leadership | X7 | ||
| M.S. in Agriculture | X1 | ||
| Master of Architecture | X | ||
| M.S. in Biological Science | X | ||
| Master of Business Administration | X | ||
| M.S. in Business Administration | X | ||
| M.S. in Chemistry | X | ||
| M.S. in Computer Science | |||
| M.S. in Economics | |||
| M.A. in Education | |||
| M.S. in Electrical Engineering | X3 | ||
| M.S. in Engineering | X3 | ||
| M.S. in Engineering Management | X3 | ||
| M.S. in Hospitality Management | X6 | X | |
| M.S. in Geological Sciences | X11 | ||
| M.S. in Mechanical Engineering | X3 | ||
| M.S. in Civil Engineering | X3 | ||
| M.A. in English | |||
| M.A. in History | |||
| Master in Landscape Architecture | X4 | ||
| Master of Interior Architecture | X10 | ||
| M.S. in Mathematics | |||
| M.S. in Kinesiology | |||
| M.S. in Psychology | |||
| Masters of Public Administration | X9 | ||
| M.S. in Regenerative Studies | X5 | ||
| Master of Urban and Regional Planning | X8 |
1 GRE only required for Nutrition and Food Science Option; Sports Nutrition Option.
2 GRE general test score 1600 or higher.
3 Under 3.0 undergraduate GPA in upper division courses in math, science and engineering; or undergraduate degree from a non-ABET accredited curriculum.
4 Send scores directly to the Department of Landscape Architecture Graduate Programs by Feb. 15.
5 Under 3.0 undergraduate GPA degree awarded from a non-accredited university or college (includes foreign institutions) or if the applicant has not attended an accredited institution within the past seven years.
6 Either accepted; GMAT is highly recommended.
7 GRE general test score 1000 or higher.
8 Applicants with a GPA between 2.5 and 3.0 must submit GRE results at the time of application.
9 Under 3.3 undergraduate GPA.
10 Recommended but not required.
11 GRE score in the 50th percentile or better on the verbal and quantitative components.
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)*
Applicants with a bachelor's degree from a college or university where the principal language of instruction was not English, must request official results of the TOEFL to be mailed directly to the Office of Admissions and Outreach prior to admission. If you graduated from an institution where the primary language of instruction is English, you may be waived from the TOEFL/IELTS. You must send proof from a school official to the Office of Admissions and Outreach.
All scores submitted must have been earned within two years of the application date. Further information on TOEFL testing may be obtained at no charge by writing to 'Test of English as a Foreign Language, Box 889, Princeton, New Jersey 08541 USA' or on their website.
Minimum TOEFL score required for all programs:
- a score of 550 (paper-based); or
- a score of 213 (computer-based); or
- a score of 80 (internet-based)
Please note the following exception:Program Paper-based Score Computer-based Score Internet-based Score Master of Public Administration (MPA) 580 237 92-93 Master of Urban and Regional Planning 580 237 92-93 Master of Arts in English 585 238 93-94
Note: the essay portion is mandatory in certain programs.
*IELTS may be considered in lieu of TOEFL. Contact International Admissions staff at Cal Poly Pomona for assistance.
Students must demonstrate competency in writing skills to receive an undergraduate, graduate, or external degree from Cal Poly Pomona. Graduate students are eligible to take the GWT upon entrance to Cal Poly Pomona and are required to take the GWT by the quarter following the completion of 8 units.
Students who have passed the GWT in undergraduate status at Cal Poly Pomona will not be required to take the test again when they change to graduate status.
Check for up-to-date information on GWT requirements