Responsible and ethical reporting builds public trust, ensures accurate information and protects people from harm. As a reporter, you can help prevent false news, hold those in power accountable and enable communities to make safe choices.
If you are inspired to pursue a career in Journalism, you can take the Duolingo English Test to demonstrate your English proficiency in your application process
Key takeaways
- Many highly ranked journalism universities accept the Duolingo English Test, but minimum scores vary between institutions and degree levels.
- Some universities accept the Duolingo English Test for undergraduate journalism programmes but not for graduate degrees, so applicants should check requirements for their specific programme.
- Beyond rankings, compare journalism degrees based on practical newsroom experience, multimedia training, industry placements, student publications and connections with media organisations.
Comparing English proficiency requirements
We have compiled a comparison of the best Journalism degrees that accept the Duolingo English Test as proof of English proficiency. See below to explore:
University | Journalism ranking* | Country | Journalism degree level | Minimum DET score | Programme-specific notes |
2 | USA | Bachelor's, Master's | UG: 105; PG: 110 | Bachelor's in Journalism and Media Production offered at the Dearborn campus. | |
4 | USA | Bachelor's | 130 | DET accepted for undergraduate admissions. | |
5 | USA | Master's | 125 | Applies to the Master of Liberal Arts in Journalism offered through Harvard Extension School. | |
9 | USA | Bachelor's, Master's | 115 | DET accepted for both undergraduate and graduate admissions. | |
10 | USA | Bachelor's, Master's | UG: 115; PG: 125 (130+ preferred) | Graduate applicants should submit DET sub-scores. | |
11 | Canada | Bachelor's | 120 | Requires an overall score of 120, including 120 in the Production subscore. | |
13 | USA | Bachelor's | 130 | DET accepted for undergraduate admissions. | |
14 | USA | Bachelor's | 135 | NYU’s bachelor's degree accepts the Duolingo English Test | |
15 | USA | Bachelor's, Master's | UG: 110; PG: 125 (recommended) | Graduate applicants are recommended to score at least 125. | |
16 | USA | Bachelor's | 130 | Undergraduate applicants admitted with only the DET must take USC's International Student Exam upon enrolment. DET not accepted for graduate admissions. | |
17 | USA | Bachelor's, Master's | No minimum published | No official minimum score. Competitive applicants typically achieve high scores across all sections. This also applies to the Medill master's programme. | |
19 | USA | Bachelor's | 120 | OSU accepts the Duolingo English Test for undergrad study | |
21 | USA | Bachelor's | 135 | DET accepted for undergraduate admissions. | |
27 | USA | Bachelor's, Master's | 110 | DET accepted for both undergraduate and graduate admissions. | |
29 | USA | Bachelor's, Certificate | UG: 135; C: 115 | UCLA accepts the DET for undergraduate admissions and for Certificates within the Extension School. |
* Discipline ranking for Journalism discipline as of August 2026, according to the Studyportals Meta Ranking.
How we selected the programmes
We selected the top Journalism programmes using a cross-checking method based on the Studyportals Meta Ranking for Journalism and Media Studies, and Duolingo’s official list of accepting institutions.
Disclaimer: As of August 2026, all listed options accepted the Duolingo English Test. Acceptance and minimum scores were verified on official university admissions pages. Institutions without confirmed acceptance for Journalism programmes were excluded.
If your chosen university does not specify whether it accepts the Duolingo English Test or if you have further questions, contact the relevant admissions office for the latest information.
Deep dive into 3 top Journalism degrees that accept the Duolingo English Test
Harvard University
You can study Journalism at Harvard through the Master of Liberal Arts, Journalism degree programme offered by Harvard Extension School. The programme is hybrid; 11 of its 12 required courses can be completed online, but you still get to enjoy the on-campus experience for a weekend or a three-week summer course.
The admissions process for Harvard’s MLA in Journalism is different from usual. Instead of submitting an application and waiting for a decision, you must take two online courses and achieve a final grade of B or higher to become eligible as a degree candidate.
The courses you complete before enrolling will count towards your degree, so you begin earning credits immediately.
To begin your admissions process, you must hold a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent and provide proof of English proficiency, which you can demonstrate with a minimum Duolingo English Test score of 125.
University of Toronto
Canada’s largest and most prestigious university, the University of Toronto, offers a four-year Honours Bachelor of Arts in Journalism joint programme with Centennial College.
As a student in this programme, you will spend the first two years building your academic foundation at the University of Toronto before moving to Centennial College in your third year for applied learning and fieldwork.
To be eligible for this programme, you must submit an overall Duolingo English Test score of 120, with a minimum subscore of 120 in Production.
University of California, Los Angeles
If sunny Los Angeles is your ideal destination, you can start your career in Journalism by majoring in Communication at one of the most prestigious University of California campuses. Before declaring Communication as your major, you must apply for undergraduate admission at UCLA with a Duolingo English Test score of 135 or higher.
If you prefer a more professional education, you can apply for a Journalism Certificate at the UCLA Extension School. The programme is fully online and offers three pathways: Entertainment Journalism, Multimedia Storytelling and Information Visualisation.
The minimum Duolingo English Test score accepted for application to the UCLA Extension School is 115.
What makes a good Journalism degree?
A good Journalism degree should combine strong academic foundations with ample opportunities to practise reporting in real-world settings. Look for programmes that provide opportunities such as
- Practical newsroom experience.
- Multimedia and digital journalism training
- Internships and industry placements
Student publications are another way to gain editorial experience during your university years.
If you are interested in specific journalism fields, such as investigative reporting, sports journalism or political coverage, look for universities with journalism clubs that match your interests.
What are the job prospects after a Journalism degree?
Journalism is a competitive field, particularly as traditional newsrooms reduce staff. According to the US Bureau of Labour Statistics, employment for journalists and reporters is projected to decline by 6% between 2025 and 2035, although around 3,400 openings are still expected each year. A Journalism degree can also lead to careers in editing, broadcasting, digital media, podcasting, fact-checking, public relations and organisational communications.
You can improve your prospects by completing internships and building a strong portfolio. Skills in multimedia storytelling, data research, verification and audio or video production are increasingly valuable.
What to know before applying with the Duolingo English Test
Like many degrees in Communication-related fields, Journalism programmes may have higher English requirements than general university admission. This may mean a higher overall proficiency score or a specific minimum subscore in Production. Make sure you check both the latest overall and sub-score requirements of the programmes you intent to apply.
Most universities do not accept self-reported scores, so you must enter the appointed university code under Duolingo’s “Share Score” function, which sends official confirmation of your test scores to your chosen schools.
Finding your ideal degree
With many prestigious universities now recognising the Duolingo English Test, you have much more flexibility in choosing the institution that will launch your career in Journalism.
Compare more Journalism programmes and find out which option suits you best.
