Yes! Pratt School of Engineering uses a formula that evaluates your total DET score along with literacy and conversation sub-scores to determine the need for language support classes at Pratt. You may be required to take a speaking course, a writing course or both.
Generally, obtaining a 115 or higher in the Conversation sub-score and a 140 or higher in the Literacy sub-score will exempt you from GCIP course requirements. This a general guideline and should not be considered binding.
Yes, in most cases you will still need to take the DET. Students may be exempt from the DET requirement if they certify that English is a dominant language for them based on their daily proficient use of English in both academic and professional contexts, AND that they have completed at least 3 full years (6 semesters) of undergraduate or graduate education in English-only instruction in a country where English is an official language. This is often not the case for joint-institution programs, as the home country is typically not one in which English is an official language.
If you have spent only 3-4 years in an English-immersion environment, we still strongly advise taking the DET to see if you might benefit from language classes, as we are here to ensure that you are well-supported throughout your graduate study program. There are no fees for GCIP courses.
Absolutely not! As mentioned in FAQ #3, Pratt wants to ensure that all of our students are successful and well supported while they study with us and prepared well for communication demands in their professional field. GCIP courses are designed to help students, not only in improving their communication skills, but also in being better prepared to study in a graduate program in the United States, by understanding cultural expectations that come with a different style of education.
Students who take language support classes with GCIP report very positive experiences, as noted here:
“[A]s an international student, I would like to take this opportunity to express how much GCIP has inspired and engaged me since I entered Duke University. I have significantly benefited from all the efforts GCIP has put into helping us integrate into this new culture, which is totally different from what we are used to.”
Yes, you do have to take it. However, at USD65, DET is a fraction of the cost of other leading language assessments, offering reduced test time and convenient, secure, at-home exam sessions via the Duolingo dashboard. If cost is a barrier, please complete this brief survey:
You are required to submit Duolingo English Test (DET) scores by June 15, 2025. Please make sure to submit your scores to “Duke University Graduate Programs: Graduate School; Divinity; Engineering; Environment; Public Policy; Duke Kunshan” when you take the test.
If you did not include your DET score with your application, you will need to contact DET and submit your scores to “Duke University Graduate Programs: Graduate School; Divinity; Engineering; Environment; Public Policy; Duke Kunshan.”
You can disregard this prompt. We don’t need your application ID. Please see the above guidance regarding sharing your scores with us.
Please contact Duolingo directly. If you have any questions about the test, please see this guide to taking it.
It can take several days for your DET scores to be certified and shared with us, and it may take some additional time for our student portal to be updated. We appreciate your patience. If it has been more than two weeks since you submitted your certified scores, please email gcip-pratt@duke.edu.
- You cannot have any devices connected to your computer when you take the test. No external keyboards, headphones, monitors, or any other peripheral device can be connected either by wire or using Bluetooth or wireless connections. This will cause a test to not be able to be certified.
- No one else can be in the testing site with you. You must be in a room alone.
- Your ears must be visible to show you are not using any in-ear devices.
- Be sure to maintain eye contact with the camera as much as you can.
- Many students look at their hands while typing. Keeping your eyes on the screen to read what you are typing is a better strategy.
- When responding to speaking prompts, some students look off camera into the distance. Respond to these prompts looking into the camera as if you are looking into the eyes of a person you are talking to. You may want to practice this ahead of time if direct eye contact is uncomfortable for you.
Please contact GCIP immediately with the reason why your test was unable to be certified. You will be required to take a speaking course in your first semester and a writing course in your second semester at Duke. However, instructors will administer brief assessments during the first couple of classes to ensure that students are appropriately placed.
