Summer Intensive English Program



Students and Staff from the Summer 2011 IEP

The Office of General Education of Southern Methodist University offers a six-week 120-hour Summer 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., and appropriate immigration status is required to apply for the program.  Please note that students transferring from another ESL program in the U.S. must first have received conditional admission from a school of SMU before they can be accepted into the IEP!

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 four class hours per day.  Most classes are held in the mornings from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. five days a week, Monday through Friday, for a total of 20 hours per week; a few classes will be held in the afternoons.  After taking an English language proficiency test, students 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 accept students younger than 18 years of age.

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, with most classes held in the historic Dallas Hall.  In a 2008 Reader's Digest survey, SMU scored an "A" and was ranked as the 16th safest college campus in the entire U.S. (visit the SMU Police Department website), as well as the safest private school in all of Texas regarding campus safety preparedness.


Features of the SMU Summer Intensive English Program:

  • Course of study comprising English for Academic Purposes (EAP), TOEFL/IELTS-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
  • Receipt of the official SMU IEP Certificate upon successful completion of all program requirements for each 12-week level (view general course requirements on the current Term Calendar)
  • Full F-1/J-1 visa support provided (a minimum of two months should be allowed for processing of application and shipment of I-20/DS-2019 to the home country)  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
    WARNING:  IF YOU ARE REQUESTING F-2 VISAS FOR DEPENDENTS, PLEASE EXPECT A MINIMUM TWO-WEEK DELAY IN PROCESSING YOUR I-20.
  • On-campus housing/meals package, on-campus parking, and use of on-campus athletic facilities available at extra charge - PLEASE NOTE THAT SMU HAS NO HOMESTAY OR OTHER SUCH PROGRAM FOR LONG-TERM RESIDENCE WITH A FAMILY!
  • Free SMU e-mail account plus Internet, campus library, and Self-Study Lab access
  • Free access to Mustang Express shuttle service; $5.00 one-time fee for an SMU Transit Pass 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


Please note that deadlines for application are not set in advance since the amount of time required for visa processing varies greatly from country to country.  Once the term begins, no more applications can be accepted!
 

Summer 2011 Costs:

        Application fee (non-SMU-affiliated students only) – $50.00

        Tuition and fees, 6/29/11 to 8/12/11 (includes all books and materials) – $1,480.00

        Health insurance (6/29/11 to 8/12/11) – $171.00 (see also SMU Memorial Health Center - required for F-1/J-1 visa students with no other comparable insurance of their own)


Optional Services:

        On-campus housing in double rooms including three meals per day - $2,460.00


Download the SUMMER 2011 IEP APPLICATION PACKAGE, fill in the necessary forms,
and fax, mail, or e-mail the completed application to the address on the first page of the form.

WITHDRAWAL/CANCELLATION POLICY
 


Trip to the 2011 Mesquite Rodeo
(Click on the picture for information on the Mesquite Championship Rodeo!)

 

 

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

Back to top of page