Top US medical and health schools that accept the Duolingo English Test

Sponsored content: created in partnership with the Duolingo English Test.

Following the Covid-19 pandemic, there has been a near-universal acceptance that healthcare is one of the most important issues of the day. Even so, the sector remains in flux. Across the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, spending on healthcare as a share of GDP has reached 9.3 per cent - above the 8.8 per cent seen before the pandemic. But demographic shifts, technological integration (such as AI-assisted diagnostics) and geopolitical uncertainty mean that volatility cannot be avoided. 

In this fast-changing environment, the demand for healthcare professionals has only increased. The World Health Organisation projects a global workforce shortage of 11 million between now and 2030. As a result, specialised fields are attracting attention from recruiters and university applicants, including biostatistics, biomedical sciences and public health leadership. 

For international students, attending a top-tier US university brings access to world-class clinical ecosystems, national funding streams and global health networks. Of course, for individuals who don’t speak English as a first language, securing a place at one of these institutions will depend on the completion of an English language proficiency test. 

More universities are accepting the Duolingo English Test as part of their application process, providing a pathway into a highly rewarding career in the healthcare sector. But first, students must select which elite institution to attend. 

We’ve highlighted the top Times Higher Education-ranked US medical and health schools that accept the Duolingo English Test. Read on to discover their strengths and any enrolment criteria that applicants should be aware of.

Harvard Medical School; Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health – Harvard University

• THE medicine rank 2026: 3
• Strengths: The Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health is recognised as a global leader in health policy, immunology and quantitative health sciences. While Harvard Medical School's medical doctor (MD) pathway relies on standard domestic degree verification, the Harvard T. H. Chan School accepts the Duolingo English Test across several of its degree offerings, providing an accessible route for international applicants.
• Read admissions information here.

Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; Bloomberg School of Public Health – Johns Hopkins University

• THE medicine rank 2026: 5=
• Strengths: Johns Hopkins is synonymous with elite public health scholarship. The Bloomberg School of Public Health accepts the Duolingo English Test for multiple graduate programmes, allowing prospective epidemiologists, biostatisticians and healthcare leaders to verify their language skills online.
• Read admissions information here.

Stanford School of Medicine – Stanford University

• THE medicine rank 2026: 5=
• Strengths: Situated in Silicon Valley, Stanford School of Medicine aligns technological innovation and medical impact. While the MD programme follows standard pre-med pathways, Stanford's biosciences graduate degrees accept the Duolingo English Test, supporting research in biomedical data science, stem cell biology and bioengineering.
• Read admissions information here.

Yale School of Medicine; Yale School of Public Health – Yale University

• THE medicine rank 2026: 7
• Strengths: Blending centuries of academic rigour with cutting-edge health research, Yale excels in environmental health sciences, global health policy, biostatistics and infectious disease modelling. While the MD pathway at Yale School of Medicine adheres to traditional US pre-med prerequisites, the Yale School of Public Health accepts the Duolingo English Test for its master of public health (MPH), master of science MS) and PhD programmes.
• Read admissions information here.

David Geffen School of Medicine; Fielding School of Public Health, University of California – Los Angeles

• THE medicine rank 2026: 14
• Strengths: Positioned in one of the world's most diverse metropolises, UCLA is a powerhouse for community health, health equity and health policy and management. Although admissions for the David Geffen School of Medicine evaluate domestic coursework rather than standard language tests, UCLA’s Fielding School of Public Health accepts the Duolingo English Test across various MPH, MS and doctoral health paths.
• Read admissions information here.

Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons; Mailman School of Public Health – Columbia University

• THE medicine rank 2026: 17
• Strengths: Located in New York City, Columbia University addresses pressing health challenges through an urban and global lens, with expertise in epidemiology, environmental health and healthcare management. Some of the most pioneering research taking place at the Mailman School of Public Health concerns the intersection of climate and health, with faculty and students leading an interdisciplinary response to the challenge. 
• Read admissions information here.

University of Michigan Medical School; University of Michigan School of Public Health – University of Michigan–Ann Arbor

• THE medicine rank 2026: 19
• Strengths: The University of Michigan-Ann Arbor is a major centre for computational health sciences, health informatics, nutritional sciences and health administration. While the Medical School’s MD programme requires standard undergraduate degree verification, the School of Public Health accepts the Duolingo English Test for international candidates seeking graduate-level health degrees.
• Read admissions information here.

University of Washington School of Medicine; University of Washington School of Public Health – University of Washington

• THE medicine rank 2026: 20
• Strengths: A cornerstone of Pacific Northwest healthcare, the University of Washington is globally recognised for its leadership in health metrics, epidemiology, environmental health and global health research. Demonstrating the school’s engagement with real-world events, students recently took part in an initiative monitoring the spread of foodborne illnesses and infectious diseases during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. 
• Read admissions information here.

Duke University School of Medicine – Duke University

• THE medicine rank 2026: 23
• Strengths: Combining world-class clinical capabilities with a global reach, Duke leads in global health implementation, clinical trial management, genetics and health data science. With the Duke Global Health Institute recently celebrating 20 years since its founding, various community-wide events have been launched, including a partnership with Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, which has overhauled cardiovascular care in Western Kenya. 
• Read admissions information here.

Washington University School of Medicine – Washington University

• THE medicine rank 2026: 26
• Strengths: Consistently ranked among the top research institutions in the US, Washington University is renowned for translational medical research, clinical epidemiology, disease prevention and health administration. Ranked third in the country for National Institutes of Health research funding, the School of Medicine takes part in more than 2,500 clinical trials a year.
• Read admissions information here.

MD or graduate health programmes: where does the Duolingo English Test apply?

Navigating the application process for US health programmes requires an understanding of how degree structures and language requirements differ depending on whether students are aiming to enrol in an MD or graduate health programme.

Medical school

MD programmes in the US almost universally require a four-year bachelor’s degree from an accredited US or Canadian institution. English proficiency is assessed through verbal reasoning performance in the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), college-level English coursework and interview evaluations. As a result, standard international English tests like the Duolingo English Test, TOEFL, or IELTS are rarely used for MD admissions.

Graduate and professional health programmes

Programmes such as MPH, MS and PhD in biomedical sciences, MS in nursing, and health data analytics welcome international applicants. For these courses, English proficiency tests are a standard component of admissions. This is where the Duolingo English Test comes in.

FAQs

What is the general English proficiency requirement for US health programmes?

Most top-ranked graduate health and public health programmes require a Duolingo English Test score between 115 and 130 (equivalent to a TOEFL iBT score of 82 to 103 or an IELTS of 6.5 to 7.5). Specific requirements vary by programme and department.

Which health programmes have the highest applicant demand?

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the public health degree career paths experiencing the fastest growth in job demand are:

• Health education and community health work
• Health service managers
• Environmental scientists
• Epidemiologists
• Biostatisticians

What if my target school does not list the Duolingo English Test on its website?

Admissions websites may not always display updated test policies. If the Duolingo English Test is not listed:

• Contact admissions: Email the department to ask if they accept the Duolingo English Test or would consider an online evaluation.
• Review university-wide policies: Central graduate divisions often accept the Duolingo English Test even if an individual department hasn't updated its list.
• Plan alternatives: If the Duolingo English Test isn't accepted, prepare to submit TOEFL or IELTS scores.

Can I use the Duolingo English Test for US medical school applications?

Generally, no. US MD programmes rely on a US or Canadian undergraduate degree, MCAT scores and interview evaluations to assess language readiness rather than English proficiency tests. However, the Duolingo English Test is widely accepted for graduate health degrees, including MPH, MS and PhD programmes at top-ranked universities.