Intensive English Program

Curriculum & Costs

I. Structure

The Intensive English Program (IEP) offers four levels of intensive English language instruction:

Level 1: Beginning
Level 2: Intermediate
Level 3: Advanced
Level 4: Advanced Plus

Each level of instruction is designed to be completed in one semester (Fall, Spring, or Full Summer) and consists of courses in core skill areas and content-based courses that have been designed to meet student needs. Language study is directed by a set of student learning outcomes (SLOs). These outcomes build on each other to ensure that IEP students are working toward the skills they will need at a university. These SLOs have been selected and organized based on research and recommendations for best practice in English language instruction.

Classes meet for a total of 18 hours of instruction per week in the Fall and Spring Semesters and 30 hours per week in the Summer semester. Students in levels 1, 2, and 3 take skills courses:

• Speaking & Listening
• Reading
• Writing
• Grammar
• Pronunciation
• Cultures in the U.S.

Students in Level 4 take six courses designed to introduce them to academic work in American universities, including:

• English for Academic Purposes
• English in the Sciences
• Business English
• Literature Written in English

Additional content-based courses include topics such as American Culture, Southern Culture, and Intercultural Communication. All courses incorporate modern technologies that assist in language learning.

Depending on their course schedules, IEP students receive between 12 and 21 hours of UM credit for the successful completion of courses each semester.

II. Length of Program & Progression through Levels

The Intensive English Program is designed to be completed in 18 months (four semesters) for students entering at the Level 1 and making satisfactory progress through the program. Students may progress at the rate of one level per semester (Fall, Spring, or Summer Semester).

Sample timeline

For example, a Level 1 student entering in Fall 2024 would follow this timeline:

Level 1: Fall Semester (entry August 2024; completion December 2024)

Level 2: Spring Semester (entry January 2025; completion early May 2025)

Level 3: Full Summer (entry late May 2025; completion July 2025)

Level 4: Fall Semester (entry August 2025; program completion December 2025).

Progression from one level to the next is accomplished by fulfilling all curricular requirements and earning a minimum level average of C (average of all courses at that level; equivalent to a semester GPA of 2.00). Students may progress out of the program by completing Level 4 with a minimum level average of B (average of all courses at that level; equivalent to a semester GPA of 3.00). Students may attempt a level no more than three times.

For each course taken, students receive a letter grade of A, B, C, D, or F, as per the official IEP Grading Scale below.

The grade point value of each letter grade is determined by the UM standard grading system (follow the link to view the UM scale). Note: the IEP does not use the optional +/- grading convention of the University.

The IEP follows the UM Academic Calendar for the Fall Semester (August to December), Spring Semester (January to early May), and Summer Semester (late May to July). Fall and Spring Semesters include 15 weeks of instruction with one final exams week, and Full Summer is an accelerated semester to be completed over 8 weeks of instruction. Dates for all classes and holidays follow The University of Mississippi Academic Calendar.

III. Intensive English

See the entire list of specific Intensive English (IE) courses in the catalog. 

Course Types and Levels

Listening, Speaking, & Pronunciation

Levels 1, 2, 3

Students in these courses work toward conversing (both listening and speaking) in basic social situations, as well as practicing production, fluency, and accuracy. The content is focused on the listening and speaking skills needed to be a successful student at The University of Mississippi, including academic language and culture appropriate to US educational institutions.

Reading & World Cultures

Levels 1, 2, 3

Students read the types of texts typically found in university classes, learn to make connections to prior learning, and connect reading and writing, all in the context of various world cultures. Students will read and discuss culturally relevant texts on a wide range of cultural topics, and these discussions may take place in oral and/or written forms.

Writing & Grammar

Levels 1, 2, 3

Instruction of writing focuses on content, rhetorical organization, written sentence structure, mechanics (e.g., punctuation, capitalization, format, spelling) and cohesion.

Grammar

Levels 1, 2, 3

Instruction of grammar focuses on language form and meaning through context appropriate use.  The purpose of teaching grammar is for students to recognize the discrete forms of English and the corresponding meaning.

English for Academic Purposes

Level 4

Students focus on writing skills needed to be a successful undergraduate student or graduate student at the University of Mississippi. Besides researching and writing academic papers, students can benefit from learning to write a professional CV/Resume and statement of purpose.

English in the Sciences

Level 4

This course helps students improve and reinforce their academic English reading, writing, listening and speaking skills through the use of authentic texts focusing on science and technology. This course is to prepare the student for American academic college level course work and in particular science/engineering courses.

Business English

Level 4

This course is designed to help students build upon their fundamental English language communication skills by using professional and formal business tools, such as reports, case analyses, and oral presentations in structured business environments.

Literature Written in English

Level 4

This course is designed to practice and improve reading comprehension skills and strategies (skimming; scanning; gist; inference; etc.); vocabulary expansion skills (context clues; word families; collocations; etc.); critical thinking skills (recognizing attitude and feeling; supporting opinions; making judgments; inferring; interpreting; identifying assumptions; hypothesizing; comparing & contrasting; drawing conclusions); and literary interpretation.

Content–based Courses

Levels 1, 2, 3, 4

Students take between two and three content courses each semester. The schedule of courses offered is determined by student need. Courses that may be offered include American Culture, Southern Culture, and Intercultural Communication.

Intensive Program Costs for Academic Year 2025 – 2026

The cost to attend the Intensive English Program is based on the length of each term, whether a Fall/Spring Semester, 4 Week, or 8 Week term. Tuition, housing, insurance, and estimated fees for each length of term are listed in the chart below, and you may click the term below to see the full schedule.

*Notes on Fee Calculation

• The cost of housing reflects the actual cost of on-campus housing at UM. While the IEP can help connect students to off-campus housing providers, we can only guarantee students housing on-campus, and those wishing to live off-campus must make their arrangements (usually including signing a lease agreement) directly with the housing provider.
• The on-campus Housing Application Fee is not required in Spring if you pay it in Fall.
• Spring Health Insurance automatically covers the entire Summer. Students continuing from the Spring Semester through the Summer sessions will not be charged for additional health insurance in the Summer.
• Health insurance does not cover all health-related costs. Students may visit the Student Health Center free-of-charge, but they may be required to pay for prescriptions, tests, and other health services according to the terms of the insurance plan.
• All fees are estimates based on current rates and are subject to change.

**Some fees vary depending on student choices (e.g. optional meal plans), length of enrollment, and health requirements. The estimated additional fees in the chart above represent a typical new student choosing an average meal plan. The list below shows the common fees for IEP students. Please contact us at StudyEnglish@olemiss.edu if you have any questions or to request a customized estimate of the cost of attendance for any program.