Online Intensive English Programs

Students in IEP’s Online program take several placement exams at the beginning of each new session to measure their language proficiency in speaking, listening, writing, and reading; and their knowledge and use of vocabulary and grammar. A committee of IEP teachers reviews all exam scores to decide the best levels for each student to study IEP classes. Students can move quickly through the program because they practice each skill at exactly the right level. 

In Reading and Vocabulary class, students 

• 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 

In Writing and Grammar class, students 

• 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 structures 

In Listening and Speaking class, students 

• 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 required for Grad CAP students. 

In English Foundations class, students 

• 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 

International students in online only programs are not eligible for F or J student visas.  That means there are no restirctions on the number of courses they can be enrolled in each session.  Online students have an opportunity to receive up to 22 hours of language instruction each week in four classes: 

• Listening & Speaking 
• Reading & Vocabulary 
• Writing & Grammar 
• Special Topics 

IEP Online courses offer flexible scheduling with a mix of both real-time and asynchronous coursework. IEP instructors will work with all the Online program students to schedule any real-time activities at a time that works for all participants.   

Conditional admission for bachelor's (undergraduate) students 

If a student meets all admission requirements for a Southeast bachelor's (undergraduate) degree program except demonstrated language proficiency, they are eligible for conditional admission. Students with undergraduate conditional admission can meet the English language proficiency requirement by completing Level 5 of all four IEP content areas.  The Bridge program is not available to IEP Online program students. 

Conditional admission for master's (graduate) students 

If a student meets all admission requirements for most Southeast master's (graduate) degree programs except demonstrated English proficiency, they are eligible for conditional admission. Students with graduate conditional admission can meet the English language proficiency admission requirement by successfully completing the Graduate Conditional Acceptance Program (Grad CAP).  Grad CAP is taught in one full sixteen-week semester beginning in either August or January (Grad CAP is not offered during the summer session). A conditionally admitted student who completes Grad CAP with an average grade of B or better and no grades below C will have met the University’s English language admission requirement.  Full-time enrollment in the Online Grad CAP program is required in order to meet the conditional admission requirements.   

Conditional Admission is possible for the following Graduate Programs: