Advanced Academic English for Graduate Students

Available in Summer

This six-week intensive program is intended to prepare international Master's students entering Columbia University in Fall for the rigorous demands of their graduate coursework.

The curriculum is specifically designed to reflect the type of work completed in master's degrees in professional schools of study. It will focus on all language skills, with an emphasis on spoken interaction, helping students speak more fluently, accurately and intelligibly so they are better able to participate in their graduate courses. It also aims to familiarize students with the graduate student experience at Columbia University.

The course is for international students whose first language is not English.

The curriculum will combine linguistic and academic objectives.

Participants will:

Deliver individual, pair, and group presentations on topics related to their fields
Receive extensive feedback on their oral skills (from various stakeholders)
Learn strategies for correcting errors in grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation
Learn how to present oral and written data commentary
Expand their academic vocabulary
Learn how to explain concepts of their field to non-experts
Become familiar with professors' expectations
Learn American email etiquette

This class changed me, and was much more than I expected it to be…I learned far more than I ever thought I would. I know that I will probably never have another opportunity like this to practice my speech or have teachers help me correct my English pronunciation with such care.”

- Ruth, China

Modality

The course is offered both in-person and online. Taking the class in-person when possible is strongly recommended, but the online course offers the same content and goals.

Note 1: International students currently outside of the US who are required by your school to take this class, see below for important information about obtaining your Columbia I-20 and F-1 visa. This may impact your decision whether you take the class online or in-person.

Note 2: International students already in the US who will be transferring to Columbia for the fall semester are only eligible to take the in-person course. 100% remote study on an F-1 visa is not permitted.

In-Person AAEGS

18 hours of class per week, Monday - Friday (4 x 3 hours; 1 x 6 hours)

Online AAEGS

15 hours of live, on-camera, synchronous instruction per week via Zoom, Monday - Friday 7:00-10:00am Eastern Daylight Time + weekly meetings with course instructors

Dates and Prices

Click on the box for full details.

Tuition and fees are subject to Board of Trustee approval and may change.

For a full explanation of fees, see below.

Application Deadline: May 29

Course Dates: July 13 - August 21

Tuition and Fees
Fee	Cost
Tuition	$5,532
Activity Fee	$100
Instructional Support Fee	$90
ALP Student Services Fee	$40
Technology Fee	$35
Health & Related Services Fee	$250 (est)
Estimated Living Expenses	$4,200 (This is what you can expect to spend to live in NYC)
Estimated Total Cost of Study	$10,250

Explanation of Fees*

**Important note: Students enrolled in the in-person AAEGS will not be eligible and will not be billed for the Columbia Summer Health Insurance plan because ALP registration will happen after the Columbia Health Insurance enrollment deadline for Summer has passed. If Columbia Health changes this policy, ALP will notify you immediately.

Activity Fee: this covers expenses relating to orientation, handbooks, events and activities.
Instructional Support Fee: this covers class materials and expenses such as photocopying and guest speakers
ALP Student Services Fee: this covers internal I-20 processing fees and other SEVIS transactions.
Technology Fee: this covers SPS technology expenses, including access to online course management software, Canvas, and tools used to develop online course content.
Health and Related Services Fee: All ALP students are required to pay the Health and Related Services Fee. This fee covers access to Columbia health services such as medical, counseling, wellbeing, sexual violence response and disability services.
Estimated Living Expenses: this includes food, transportation, everyday expenses, and Housing. This gives an idea of how much money is needed to live in New York so you can plan financially. Students are not billed for living expenses.
Estimated Total Cost of Study: When you apply for an I-20 you must show you have this total amount on your financial document.

*Note: not all fees are refundable if students withdraw from the program. For a full explanation see the Withdrawal and Tuition Refund page of the ALP website.

Application Deadline: April 25

Course Dates: May 18 - June 26

Tuition and Fees
Fee	Cost
Tuition	$5532
Activity Fee	$100
Instructional Support Fee	$90
Technology Fee	$35
Health and Related Services Fee	$250 (est)

Explanation of Fees*

**Important note: Students enrolled in online AAEGS will not be billed for Summer health insurance because participants are not based in the US.

Activity Fee: this covers expenses relating to orientation, handbooks, events and activities.
Instructional Support Fee: this covers class materials and expenses such as photocopying and guest speakers
Technology Fee: this covers SPS technology expenses, including access to online course management software, Canvas, and tools used to develop online course content.
Health and Related Services Fee: All ALP students, regardless of location, are required to pay the Health and Related Services Fee. This fee covers access to Columbia health services such as counseling, wellbeing, sexual violence response and disability services.

*Note: not all fees are refundable if students withdraw from the program. For a full explanation see the Withdrawal and Tuition Refund page of the ALP website.

Application Requirements

This course is open only to incoming Master’s students entering Columbia University in the Fall.

I-20 Information: In-Person AAEGS

In general, an F-1 (student visa) is required for study in the US. All international students taking Advanced Academic English for Graduate Students in person must have an I-20 issued by the ALP (not the Master's program) in order to obtain their F-1 visa. At the end of the summer, we will transfer your I-20 from the ALP to the International Students & Scholars Office (ISSO) so that you can begin your studies in your Master's program.

If you are already holding an F-1 visa and attending another school you must also transfer your SEVIS record from your current school to the ALP. Please speak with your advisor at your current school.

I-20 Information: Online AAEGS

International students mandated by their MS program to take AAEGS must complete the course before receiving an ISSO I-20. The ALP is not able to provide an I-20 for online study, and ISSO cannot issue one until the ALP course is successfully completed.

SPS will issue an updated admission letter after you finish the course. You will then use this to apply for your I-20 from ISSO. Note that this pushes the F-1 application process into late June or early July, so may not be the best option for everyone.

Transfer students already in the US are not eligible to take AAEGS online.

Ready to apply to AAEGS? Click this link:

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Learn more about American Language Program at Columbia University School of Professional Studies, or contact the program advisor.

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Joel Chaffee, Assistant Director of ALP Admissions

212-854-3584
alp@sps.columbia.edu

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