The Columbia College English for Academic Purposes (EAP) program is an academic unit of the Language and Communication Studies Department. It is offered only through the Day Campus. Prospective students must meet the English Proficiency Requirements set by the College in order to qualify for admission.
Mission
The mission of the Columbia College EAP program is to provide quality language instruction and shared cultural experiences to non-native speakers of English with an emphasis on the skills necessary for academic success and integration into the American college experience.
To carry out the mission, the goals of the program are to:
- Enhance the English language and study skills of students that will enable them to transition to mainstream academic courses;
- Develop intercultural awareness and understanding among students;
- Provide students, faculty, and staff at the College with opportunities for international learning and experiences; and
- Offer support, including services related to admission, advising, academics, and student life, which helps students take full advantage of the College experience.
English Classes for Credit
English classes at many colleges and universities do not carry any credit. Other colleges and universities offer credit only for a few select classes. All EAP classes carry academic credit that counts toward your degree at Columbia College.
EAP Tuition Grant
All students admitted to the EAP program and who register for at least twelve (12) semester hours of EAP coursework are eligible for an EAP Tuition Grant worth fifteen percent (15%) tuition per semester. The grant is limited to two consecutive semesters only.
Levels
Columbia College’s EAP program provides two 15-week levels of English study during the fall and spring semesters for non-native speakers of English: High Intermediate and Advanced.
Core Courses
Core courses are the foundation of the EAP program. They are designed to develop listening, speaking, reading, and writing and are offered each semester at both levels and consist of the following:
Incoming EAP students are also required to enroll in an 8-week orientation course, EAPP 100 - Foundations for Success , during their first year. This course is open to all international students.
Elective Courses
Elective courses are open to all international students. EAP students must enroll in at least one each semester:
Advanced-level students, when qualified, may be permitted to enroll in a selected (non-EAP) course. Enrollment in evening or online classes during the fall and spring semesters is strictly prohibited.
Course Grading and Advancement
In order to pass core and elective courses, students must earn a grade of “C” or higher. Students advance from one level to the next as a result of their final reported grades. If a student fails his/her Oral Communication Skills course but passes his/her Written Communication Skills course, for example, the student is permitted to advance to the next level in only the Written Communication Skills course. The student must repeat the Oral Communication Skills course the following semester. In this case, s/he will be a split-level student the following semester.
Level Advancement
Students advance from one level to the next as a result of their final reported grades. If students fail their Oral Communication Skills course but pass their Written Communication Skills course, for example, the students are permitted to advance to the next level in only the Written Communication Skills course. The students must repeat the Oral Communication Skills course the following semester. In this case, they will be split-level students the following semester.
If students complete the high-intermediate level and want to skip the advanced level, they must have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher and a TOEFL iBT score of 72 or higher (with no subset score lower than 16) or equivalent.
Certificate of Participation
A certificate of participation is awarded to students who complete courses in the EAP program.