You have big plans for your future, and a good place to start is improving your language skills. We've been helping students from all over the world for more than 40 years!

The Intensive English Program (IEP) at Southeast Missouri State University offers high-quality English language instruction to students all around the world. With highly qualified instructors, affordable tuition rates, and multiple learning platforms, IEP has something for anyone.

Programs Available

You can choose the location, focus and length of study in our Intensive English Programs.

Our high-quality program offers a life-changing cultural experience in beautiful Cape Girardeau. Be part of a safe and welcoming university community and focus on English language skills to meet your academic or professional goals. 
  • Study more than 20 hours each week and see real results quickly.
  • Academic and cultural advisors are available to students.
  • Students will get conversation practice and take part in social activities.
  • The program is accredited by CEA.
  • Conditional Admission to Southeast Missouri State University is available

Learn more about the dates and costs of the program.

This program is offered both online and on campus.

  • You can study the topic of your choice for 3-6 weeks.
  • Flexible schedules and costs to meet your goals.
  • Contact the IEP Director to learn more.

What You'll Study

Full-time language students take placement exams to measure their skills and make an academic plan. Students can move quickly through the program because they practice each skill at exactly the right level.

  • Continuously develop vocabulary including words used for familiar, daily activities; academic vocabulary; and idiomatic expressions
  • Can identify the meaning of unfamiliar words
  • Improve reading fluency through directed readings and extensive reading
  • Answer wh- questions about short texts
  • Differentiate between details and main ideas
  • Differentiate between facts and opinions
  • Match cause to effect
  • Infer meaning from text
  • Synthesize information from multiple texts
  • Use headings and subheadings to understand the structure of texts
  • Can identify point-of-view
  • Can make connections between ideas in one or more readings
  • Evaluate reliability and identify evidence of bias in texts

  • Use the simple past and past progressive
  • Use the future with will and be going to
  • Use perfect, progressive, and perfect progressive verb forms to make affirmative and negative statements, questions, answers, and imperatives
  • Use time clauses
  • Use prepositions of time and place
  • Use count and non-count nouns with appropriate articles
  • Use modals, gerunds, infinitives, and passive constructions
  • Use adjective, adverb, and noun clauses
  • Use comparative and superlative structure

  • Identify main ideas and details in short messages and media programs
  • Speak about their dreams, hopes, and expectations
  • Use a variety of techniques to take notes on lectures and presentations
  • Deliver presentations on personal, academic, and professional topics
  • Answer questions about the content of extended speech, including lectures
  • Use flexible and precise language to present descriptions of complex subjects
  • Infer connections between ideas in extended speech that is not clearly structured
  • Verbally cite sources in researched academic presentations

Special Topics class is on a rotating schedule. Students will improve both linguistic and academic skills by studying a variety of topics, such as pronunciation, keyboarding and word processing skills, community service, or leadership. This class is not an option for Grad CAP.

  • Recognize the letters in the English alphabet and use patterns to decode words
  • Recognize basic affixes and use them to understand word meanings
  • Respond to wh-, questions related to illustrated text
  • Match visual representations to words and phrases
  • Write and use words with a variety of sounds and spelling patterns (Dolch List)
  • Write simple sentences about the present and present progressive
  • Use present verb tenses to make affirmative and negative statements, questions, answers, and imperatives
  • Have a basic understanding of the parts of a sentence: nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, and prepositions
  • Ask and answer basic questions and make simple statements about concrete and familiar topics
  • Listen for keywords/phrases and specific information (names, dates, reasons, explanations)
  • Deliver basic presentations on selected topics

The IEP is more than just a language program!

  • High Quality Education

    Our mission is to support the internationalization goals of Southeast Missouri State University by preparing English language learners for success in undergraduate or graduate study through high-quality instruction in the English language and cultural orientation activities. The Intensive English Programs emphasize the linguistic skills, cultural awareness, and critical thinking skills necessary to succeed at an American university.

  • No TOEFL iBT Required

    Standardized English tests are never required for students in the Intensive English Program. You can begin your language program and get conditonal admission to Southeast Missouri State University without taking the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exam.

  • Choose Your Own Path

    Southeast’s Intensive English Program (IEP) offers seven academic levels for students with varying levels of English proficiency: one level for new students of English, five levels for undergraduate students, and another called Grad CAP for graduate students. Courses for all IEP levels are available both in-person (Premier Immersion program) and Online.

  • Learn On-Campus or Online

    Practice specific skills in the U.S. or study online for University admission. In short-term programs, you’ll study in small groups to improve specific skills like writing, giving presentations or networking for business. Or enjoy a combination of convenient live classes with your teacher and classmates, plus on-demand learning that fits your schedule. However you choose to study, you'll make connections through conversations and activities.

Become a Redhawk

Interested in becoming a Redhawk? Get your application in now!

Cost of the Program

The cost of the program includes lessons per week, tutoring, and access to SEMO clubs, the recreation center, and cultural events.

Dates and Deadlines

Schedule SUMMER 2024 FALL A 2024 FALL B 2024 SPRING A 2025 SPRING B 2025
Orientation June 6-7, 2024 August 14-16, 2024 October 10-11, 2024 January 8-10, 2025 March 13-14, 2025
8-week session June 10-August 1, 2024 August 19-October 8, 2024 October 14-December 10, 2024 January 13-March 4, 2025 March 17-May 6, 2025

IEP Student Resources

Southeast’s Intensive English Programs (IEP) provide individual academic advisors, conversation partners, cultural activities, and modern study spaces. 

IEP Curriculum and Student Resources

Hear from our students!

"I love IEP at SEMO! I came to US and my English language was very bad. Then, I enrolled at IEP and I finished the graduate level. Indeed, I got my master degree in TESOL at SEMO, too. Today, I have become a very good English teacher because of the IEP. Moreover, all the staff and English teachers were always smiling, so I feel like it is a little family. Hence, I'm not only saying that IEP the best place to improve your English skills, but also to make your dreams come true, and I am one of them. Thank you IEP!"

Hussain S. Al-ghawi, Saudi Arabia

Hussain S. Al-ghawi, Saudi Arabia

FAQs

Conditional admission is for students who meet the academic requirements for admission, but don’t have an exam score that meets the English proficiency requirement. If you apply for conditional admission, you’ll take English classes until you’re ready to start your academic program. Students with conditional admission don’t need to take the IELTS Academic or TOEFL iBT exams. 

All Southeast’s undergraduate programs, and most graduate programs, offer conditional admission. Be sure to check the other admission requirements for your program before you apply. 

Yes! Apply for “IEP only” and study 

Your total study time will depend on your goals and your scores on placement exams. You can expect to complete 1 level in 2 months (8 weeks) for English Foundations and academic levels 1-5. Grad CAP is 4 months (16 weeks), and not available in summer. Most students complete their program in about six months. We can develop short-term programs to work with your group’s schedule. 

  • IEP-only students, including visiting students from partner universities, can complete their studies in October, December, March, May, or July. Don’t worry—even if you don’t complete every level before you return home, you can request a certificate to show your highest level completed.
  • Students with conditional admission to an undergraduate (bachelor’s) program must complete IEP level 5 for full admission. Some advanced students who do not complete level 5 before the next semester (August or January) can study 1-2 academic courses while they are finishing level 5. This is called “bridging.” Other students fully complete level 5 and take only academic classes in the next semester (August or January). Your IEP academic advisor will help you plan your first academic semester.
  • Students with conditional admission to a graduate (master’s) program must complete Grad CAP for full admission. Grad CAP is a full-semester program (August-December or January-May). Completers will take academic classes in the next semester (August or January). Bridging is not possible for Grad CAP students.

IEP has a special rate for each 8-week session. Read more here. We can develop short-term programs to work with your group’s budget. 

When you arrive, you will take a placement test to find the best level for you. IEP students never have to take standardized tests like TOEFL iBT or IELTS Academic, even if they are conditionally admitted to Southeast Missouri State University. 

Learn more here.

Southeast Missouri State University Intensive English Programs is accredited by the Commission on English Language Program Accreditation from December 2021 through December 2031 and agrees to uphold the CEA Standards for English Language Programs and Institutions. The U.S. Secretary of Education recognizes CEA 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, 1001 N. Fairfax Street, Suite 630, Alexandria, VA 22314, (703) 665-3400, www.cea-accredit.org.

If you need to file a complaint please use the Filing a Complaint Against a CEA Accredited Program form.

Location
Office
1025 N. Sprigg
Cape Girardeau, MO 63701
Mailing Address
One University Plaza, MS 2000
Cape Girardeau, MO 63701