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Intensive English Program

Program Description

The University of Central Missouri's English Language Institute offers the Intensive English Program, the first intensive English program in Missouri to be accredited by the Commission on English Language Accreditation. The program is designed for international students who would like to improve their English skills and attend a college or university in the United States.

Students studying intensive English

Program Highlights

The program features courses in reading, writing, grammar, communication skills, American culture, test-taking skills and:

  • Five 8-week sessions per year
  • Five entry points: January, March, June, August, and October
  • 20 hours of classroom instruction per week
  • Placement testing for new students
  • Orientation and airport services
  • Official certificate of completion and UCM transcript
  • Core curriculum in reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills
  • Test preparation
  • Conditional admission
  • ESL Pathway Program with concurrent IEP and academic enrollment
 
Accredited by CEA logo

The University of Central Missouri English Language Institute Intensive English Program is accredited by the Commission of English Language Program Accreditation for the period December 2015 through December 2025 and agrees to uphold CEA standards for English Language Programs and Institutions. CEA is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as a nationally recognized accrediting agency for English language programs and institutions in the U.S. For further information about this accreditation,  please contact CEA at 1001 North Fairfax St, Suite 630, Alexandria, VA 22314, (703) 665-3400, www.cea-accredit.org.

 

To Apply to the Intensive English Program: 

Spring Applications
Summer Applications
Fall Applications
Apply for January courses by October 1st

Apply for March courses by December 1st
Apply for June courses by March 1st


Apply for August courses by June 1st

Apply for October courses by August 1st

 

IEP Mission Statement

The mission of the Intensive English Program is to provide an intensive program which teaches a broad range of English language and study skills to non-native speakers of English so they can successfully pursue an academic degree program at the undergraduate or graduate level at a U.S. institution of higher education by demonstrating proficiency in reading, writing, grammar, listening, and speaking through a dynamic curriculum and cultural programming which responds to the needs of students.

IEP Details

  • The Intensive English Program (IEP) has 9 levels ranging from beginning to advanced.
  • Each level is 8 weeks, and student achievement is measured through student learning outcomes.
  • There are 20 contact hours per week.
  • Core courses include Reading, Writing, Grammar, Communication Skills, and Testing Skills.
  • Electives include Tutorial and Seminar in American Culture.
  • Two grade modes are available to students. Most students choose the Grade Point Average mode, which directly affects their GPA as undergraduate students Some students choose the Pass/Fail mode, which has no effect on their GPA when students consistently pass their IEP classes.
  • All students must achieve a minimum of 70% in each class in order to move up in level, and all IEP students receive official UCM transcripts.
  • Upon successful completion of the IEP, students receive certificates of completion and may move into their academic programs via the TOEFL Waiver Program. 

IEP Policies

Progression Statement:

IEP student progress is determined by demonstration of the SLOs for each skill at each level.

Information about English language proficiency scores for international admission is provided by Graduate and International Student Services

IEP Repeated Course Policy

If a student earns less than 70% in a class, they may repeat it up to 2 times, so long as the student is not suspended due to low GPA. Students who fail a fourth time will be referred to the ISS office for failure to make progress towards their degree per the IEP Satisfactory Progress Policy. A decision about the options available to the student will be made by the ISS Director and Assistant Director. The IEP director will provide a recommendation to the ISS Director. 

IEP Satisfactory Progress Policy

  • A student who fails more than 3 times in any class despite action plans and extensions of time to complete work is considered to have violated the IEP Satisfactory Progress Policy and is referred to the ISS office to discuss the possibilities of a reduced course load and transferring out.
  • If a student does not make satisfactory progress due to repeated academic dishonesty, they are referred to the ISS office to discuss transferring out and the Office of Student Experience and Engagement for disciplinary action. 
  • If a student does not make satisfactory progress due to conduct that violates UCM policies or laws, they are referred to the Office of Student Experience and Engagement for disciplinary action. 

IEP Maximum Length of Time in the IEP Policy

  • Students who place into the Advanced Level of English are expected to complete the IEP within 1 semester. ELIPS students may take an academic class(es) concurrently with their IEP classes in their last 3 sessions.
  • Students who place into the High Intermediate Level of English are expected to complete the IEP within 2 semesters. 
  • Students who place into Intermediate Level of English are expected to compete the IEP within 3 semesters including summer session. 
  • Students who place into Level 3 (Low Intermediate) are expected to complete the IEP program within 1.5 years including summer session. 
  • Students who place into Levels 1 or 2 should expect to complete the IEP within a maximum of 2 years.

Example Schedule

  • Spring 2022: Level 2 and Level 3
  • Summer 2022: Level 4
  • Fall 2022: Level 5 and Level 6
  • Spring 2023: Level 7 and Level 8
  • Summer 2023: Level 9 plus up to 1 academic class
  • OR Fall 2023: Level 9 plus 3 academic classes

IEP Attendance Policy

As per the definition of an Intensive English Program, students are expected to attend classes regularly. Once a student has reached three (3) unexcused absences (defined as any absence not related to flu, Covid-19, or that is not identified by the office of Student Experience and Engagement) in a class, the instructor will report the absence to the director via the attendance reporting spreadsheet/email process. The director will then advise the student that they are in danger of going below the 80% attendance rate required for F-1 students per the SEV-P Guidelines. If an additional absence is acquired, the student will be referred to International Student Services office for advising and the creation of an action plan. 

Sample Weekly Schedule

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

Reading Skills

9-10:50 a.m.

Communication Skills

9-10:50 a.m.

Reading Skills

9-10:50 a.m.

Communication Skills

9-10:50 a.m.

IEP Activities,

Study Groups


Writing Skills

11 a.m.-12:50p.m.

Grammar Skills

11 a.m.-12:50p.m.

Writing Skills

11 a.m.-12:50p.m.

Grammar Skills

11 a.m.-12:50p.m.

Lunch Break Lunch Break Lunch Break Lunch Break

Elective Course

2-2:50 p.m.

Elective Course

2-2:50 p.m.

Elective Course

2-2:50 p.m.

Elective Course

2-2:50 p.m.

Reading Lab

3-3:50 p.m.

 Communication Skills

Lab

3-3:50p.m.

Writing Lab

3-3:50 p.m.

 Grammar Lab

3-3:50p.m.

Lab times and elective times may switch.

2024-2025 IEP Tuition and Fees

Estimated Costs (based on 9 months)

Tuition and Fees $15,540.00 ($570.00 per credit hour)
Living Expenses $9,768.00
Other Costs $1,290.00
IEP Activity Fee $1,000.00 ($200 per session)
TOTAL $27,598.00


For more information on Tuition and costs, go to https://www.ucmo.edu/future-students/tuition-and-costs/ 

IEP Application Deadlines, Orientation Dates: 2025-2026

Semester Application 
Deadline
Orientation 
Dates
Airport Pick Up Session Dates

Spring 2025

October 1, 2024

Session 1: 
January 7 – January 10

Session 2: 
March 17 – March 18

Session 1: 
January 6

Session 2: 
March 16

Session 1: 

January 13 to March 7

Session 2:

March 17 to May 9

Summer 2025

April 1, 2025

June 2 - June 3, 2025

June 1, 2025

June 2 to August 1

 

Fall 2025

 

Session 1:

June 1, 2025

Session 2: 

August 1, 2025

Session 1

August 12– August 15

Session 2

October 9 – October 10

Session 1:

August 11


Session 2

October 8

 

Session 1: 

August 18 to October 7

Session 2:

October 13 to December 12

 

Spring 2026

 

Session 1:

October 1, 2025

Session 2: 

December 1, 2025

Session 1

January 6– January 9

Session 2: 
March 16 – March 17

Session 1:

January 5

Session 2: 
March 1

Session 1:

January 12 to March 6

Session 2:

March 16 to May 8

IEP Only Student Application Fee

All IEP Only students are expected to pay a $75 application fee. For more information about this fee, please contact the IEP Director, Valerie Heming at iep@ucmo.edu.

IEP Commitment to Student Services

The IEP is committed to demonstrating support of UCM's student services for IEP students through language assistance in the following areas: 

  • Housing
  • Health Insurance
  • Admissions
  • Counseling
  • Advising
  • Orientation
  • Registration/Enrollment
  • Cultural Activities
  • Promotional Materials

English Language Institute Pathway to Success (ELIPS)

The ELI offers a pathway to success program for eligible students. ELIPS students take academic classes and intensive English language classes together. IEP students who meet the proficiency test requirements for part-time academic course-work in addition to a modified IEP schedule take 10.5 credit hours of IEP over one semester. Additionally, they may take 1-2 academic classes in their field. Undergraduate courses are selected by the academic advisor, with scheduling support from the IEP director. Please see the table for scores (in red) needed for ELIPS eligibility. 

 

 

 

 

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