Continuing Education at UMass/Amherst offers noncredit workshops, primarily for working adult professionals in the community.
Intensive English at Other Institutions of Higher Learning in Southern New England
There are accredited Intensive English Programs (IEPs) at UMass Boston, UConn, Northeastern, and CELOP (Center for English Language Orientation Program) at Boston University. These IEPs, in which students study only English, are equipped to provide student visas, place students on the appropriate specific level of language proficiency such as low beginning, and high intermediate. IEPs usually provide 6 or more levels of instruction. They offer specialized courses in the various language skills such as Speaking, Writing, and Grammar as well as electives such as TOEFL preparation. They usually offer these courses in conveniently shorter sessions, such as six or eight weeks, unlike the typical 14 week session followed by university ESL Program courses. IEPs also provide housing & mealplans as well as extracurricular field trips designed for learning about American culture.
IEPs often don't require a minimum TOEFL entrance score, which is a requirement for international students pursuing academic degrees at institutions of higher learning. At such institutions minimum SAT score is generally required of domestic students entering a university that offers ESL courses for matriculated students.
IEPs must charge fairly expensive tuition & fees. However, as officially accredited programs with well-established track records, they provide very good value for their customers.
