Intensive English Program (IEP)

2008-2009 Academic Year

Students and Staff from the Winter 2008 IEP

The Office of General Education of Southern Methodist University offers a year-long Intensive English Program (IEP). The overall goal of the course of study is to prepare students for academic success at the university level. Enrollment in the program is open to students and professionals outside of the University community preparing for future studies in higher education in the U.S.

Applicants accepted into the program are given an English language proficiency test during the first week of each term and are placed into one of the following levels: upper beginning, lower intermediate, intermediate, upper-intermediate, advanced, and upper advanced. Please note that we do not normally accept students younger than 18 years of age, or students at the very beginning level. Each level can be completed during a twelve-week term of study (total 240 classroom hours), and students may join the program at the beginning of any one of the four available terms. Application for any number of terms is welcome; however, joint Summer I/Summer II enrollment is recommended.

The curriculum is divided into two main components: Academic Skills (2-1/2 hours per day) and Communication Skills (1-1/2 hours per day), making a total of 4 class hours per day; class hours are slightly longer in the summer I and summer II terms. Classes are held five days a week, Monday through Friday, for a total of 20 hours per week. During the fall and spring terms, the class schedule is Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m., and Tuesdays/Thursdays from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m.; summer I and summer II term classes are held Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., including breaks. All program-related activities are conducted on SMU's lovely Main Campus (maps and directions) in University Park located within the large, modern city of Dallas TX, and most classes are held in the historic Dallas Hall.

Features of the SMU Intensive English Program:

Course of study comprising English for Academic Purposes (EAP), TOEFL-related skills, and American culture
Concentrated work on reading, writing, listening, speaking, pronunciation, giving presentations, and study skills
Native English speaking instructors with extensive ESL teaching experience and related qualifications
Average maximum class size of 10 students (classes often much smaller)
Receipt of the official SMU IEP Certificate upon successful completion of all program requirements for each 12-week level
Full F-1 visa support (a minimum of one to two months is recommended for all student visas) - Visa interview tips! NOTE: AN I-901 FORM INCLUDED WITH NEW I-20/DS-2019'S MUST BE FILED ALONG WITH THE APPROPRIATE FEE BEFORE YOU CAN RECEIVE YOUR VISA! DO NOT SEND THE FORM TO THE SMU IEP; PLEASE USE THE ADDRESS PROVIDED ON THE PAPER FORM OR YOU CAN SUBMIT THE FORM AND FEE ONLINE
On-campus dormitory/meals package available only during the summer II term of the IEP; apartment complexes near SMU are connected by the free Mustang Express shuttle service - PLEASE NOTE THAT SMU HAS NO HOMESTAY OR OTHER SUCH PROGRAM FOR LONG-TERM RESIDENCE WITH A FAMILY!
Free airport pick up service offered by the International Friendship Program
Use of on-campus athletic center and parking facilities available at extra charge
Free SMU e-mail account plus Internet, campus library, and Self-Study Lab access
Periodic cultural and social activities, including optional Conversation Buddy
$5.00 one-time fee for an SMU Transit Pass, which provides unlimited access to all Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) buses, trains, and light rail services
Full-service United States Post Office conveniently located on campus

A Trip to the State Fair
(Click on the picture for information on the State Fair of Texas in Dallas!)

2008-2009 Dates and Costs:

Application fee (required once per academic year) - $50.00

Tuition and fees: (includes all books and materials - slightly reduced for continuing enrollment)
	Fall Term (12 weeks, 9/10/08 to 12/5/08) – $2,593.00
	Spring Term (12 weeks, 1/14/09 to 4/17/09, with one-week spring break) – $2,593.00
	Summer I Term (6 weeks, 5/13/09 to 6/26/09) – $1,391.00
	Summer II Term (6 weeks, 7/1/09 to 8/14/09) – $1,436.00

Health insurance: (required for F-1 visa students with no other comparable insurance of their own)

Fall Term (8/13/08 to 1/4/09) – $622.00

Spring + Summer I/Summer II Terms combined (1/4/09 to 8/13/09) – $622.00

Summer II Term (5/12/09 to 8/13/09) – $320.00

Full 12-month academic year (8/13/08 to 8/13/09) – $1,244.00

Download the 2008-2009 IEP APPLICATION PACKAGE, fill in the necessary forms, and fax or mail the completed application to the address on the first page of the form.

Please note that deadlines for application are not set in advance of each term since the amount of time required for visa processing varies greatly from country to country.

If you have any questions or require further information, please send an e-mail to
Mr. John E. Wheeler at jwheeler@smu.edu.