Policies

The student handbook has all the information you need to make your English studies at the American Language Program useful, enjoyable and memorable. It also explains how to follow the rules and how to make the most of facilities on and around campus.

Download Student Handbook

Some ALP registrants have a choice of a Letter Grade or Pass/Fail:

• Fall and Spring Intensive
• Summer Advanced Academic Preparation
• Part-time Academic Writing

Letter grades are considered the default setting— teachers always submit letter grades. However, if students want Pass/Fail, they have to officially do so by submitting a Registration Adjustment form. In that case, the letter grade submitted by the teacher will automatically be changed to Pass/Fail by the Registrar. Note: Check Office of the University Registrar Calendar for the deadline to submit a Pass/Fail request.

A = excellent; exceeds Student Learning Objectives for the level; grade of 90-100

B= good; masters Student Learning Objectives for the level; grade of 80-89

C = fair; partially masters Student Learning Objectives for the level; grade of 70-79

D = poor but passing; shows little or no mastery of Student Learning Objectives; grade of 50-69

F = failing; has failed to meet attendance, work, and/or progress requirements for the class

UW = unofficial withdrawal; has not attended any teacher’s class for 2 weeks or more, without explanation

Some ALP courses have a “Pass/Fail Only” designation in the University Registrar’s system. For these courses, it does not matter in which school the student is registered. ALP courses for which P/F is the only option are:

• Listening and Speaking
• ALP Summer A, B, and C
• Pronunciation
• International Teaching Fellows Training
• English for Professional Purposes: Business
• English for Advanced Legal Studies

Some ALP courses have a “Letter Grade Only” designation in the University Registrar’s system. For these courses, it does not matter in which school the student is registered. The ALP courses for which a letter grade is the only option are:

• English for Professional Purposes: SIPA
• Advanced Academic English for Graduate Students
•  

Non-ALP registrants (in GS, GSAS, SIPA etc.) mandated to take ALP classes must take their course(s) for a Letter Grade only, with the exceptions for “Pass-Fail Only” courses listed above. Non-ALP registrants must take Letter Grade only if they are in:

• Academic Writing 
• Advanced Academic Writing for General Studies (Z1007)

For more information on grades, visit:

Office of Student Affairs: Grades

Promotion decisions are based solely on each student's proficiency in the various language skills. In general, oral fluency and listening comprehension are the most important skills at the lower levels, while writing becomes increasingly important from Level 5 or 6 up. Promotion decisions are not based on a student’s effort, attitude, attendance, or participation. These are not reliable indicators of a student’s ability to handle the academic challenges of a particular level.)

A “typical” promotion in the intensive program and the part-time Academic Writing course is considered to be one full level (4b to 5b, for example) after 14 weeks of solid progress. Anything more than that is highly exceptional. 

There are no level promotions after individual four-week summer intensive sessions. It is not enough time to make progress to handle a new level. Only exceptions: Students who have completed A+B+C (12 weeks) may be eligible for a level promotion. Promotions (if any) will be based on a final exam and instructor recommendation. This will be the ONLY way students can receive a full level promotion. Students taking Advanced Academic Preparation may receive a level promotion, if they choose to take an optional final exam, but this is not the main aim of the course, and there is no guarantee enough progress will be made to receive a level promotion after only 8 weeks.

For complete information on promotions click here.

Some students may need more time at a level before they are ready for a promotion, especially at the upper levels of the intensive program. The ALP permits students to repeat a level more than once, provided they are attending regularly and are in good academic standing. A student who does not receive a promotion after two full semesters may be placed on Academic Probation. A student who does not receive a promotion after three full semesters may be asked to withdraw or face Academic Dismissal.

Students on an F-1 student visa are required to make regular progress in order to maintain their immigration status.

1. Intensive language program applicants who, upon arrival at the ALP, test into ALP Level 10 may study for one term only in the highest intensive level available at that time; normally, this is a class at Level 8-9.
2. Students who are promoted to ALP Level 10 at the end of an intensive class have completed the ALP program. This is a great achievement and demonstrates a very high level of English proficiency. Students who have completed our program may not repeat intensive level 8-9, unless the next session is Summer, in which case they are permitted to continue or take the Advanced Academic Preparation course. 
3. Columbia University degree candidates referred to the ALP for language instruction in the intensive program must take the ALP Essay Exam at the end of the semester to determine promotion level. The promotion score on these exams will determine whether the English proficiency requirement set by the degree program has been met, or whether further study with the ALP is required.

Students are expected to attend all classes. An attendance certificate is given to intensive program students who attend 90% or more of the classes. For students who arrive later than the first day of class, absences are counted from the day the student begins.

Attendance is reported on the final grade reports.

Lateness

Students are expected to arrive on time for all classes. If a student is more than 10 minutes late, they will be marked an hour absent for that hour. It is the instructor’s right to deny entry until break if students are regularly late for class.

Absences

Students may miss up to 10% of classes without penalty. See below for the number of permitted absences in each session:

• Fall and Spring Semesters (14 weeks each) - 10% = 25 hours
• Summer A, B, and C (4 weeks each) - 10% = 7 hours
• Advanced Academic Preparation (8 weeks) - 10% = 14 hours

Whatever the reason, an absence is an absence: there are no 'excused' absences. Every absent hour counts toward the 10%, so use them carefully.

Keeping good attendance:

90% attendance means “90% at all times during the session.” For example, it does not mean “I have 25 hours I can use any time.” 25 hours = by the end of the semester.

Lack of attendance = violation of visa status.

If you do not attend classes and maintain your immigration status, you may be dismissed from the ALP, and your I-20 and visa may be canceled.

A student in good standing at the American Language Program is one who:

• regularly attends class (90% of class hours)
• regularly completes in-class and out-of-class work at an average level or higher
• respects University behavioral standards and academic discipline
• makes progress in English
• receives a final grade of “B-” or better

A student is not in good standing if one or more of the criteria stated above is not being met during the term or by the end of the term. The student may be given a First Warning and may be placed on Academic Probation.

First Warning means that the student is referred by the Lead Teacher to the ALP Director for advisement. The student’s progress is then monitored for the rest of the term.

A First Warning may be given to a student who fits one or more of these criteria:

• Has missed more than 11-14% of class
• Is not regularly completing in-class and out-of-class assignments
• Is making little or no progress in English
• Not good academic behavior
• Receives a final grade C or C+

Academic Probation is an official warning from the School. If significant progress is not made following probation, Academic Dismissal may result.

A student may be placed on Academic Probation if:

• There is no improvement following the First Warning.
• At any point of the semester, the student fits one more of these criteria:
  • Has missed 15% or more of classes
  • Has not completed in-class and out-of-class work at an acceptable level
  • Has made no significant progress in English after 2 semesters
  • Inappropriate ( =very bad) academic behavior
  • Receives a final grade of “C-”
• Significant progress = a level promotion at the end of the semester. Two semesters = Fall + Spring or Spring + Fall. [ALP summer is considered different because of the shorter sessions, and the main focus is not a level promotion. However, grades and level may be taken into consideration for students studying the full summer: ABC or A+AAP.]

At any time, a student may be placed on Academic Probation and may face Academic Dismissal if they demonstrate disrespect for University behavioral standards and academic discipline.

A student may face Academic Dismissal if:

•  No improvement since Academic Probation
•  Missed more than 20% of class at any point in the session
•  Received a final grade of UW, D, or F

Academic Dismissal means that the student is required to leave the university and may not enroll in any future courses at the American Language Program. The dismissal will remain on the student’s permanent university record and may affect acceptance into any other program at Columbia University. If students are dismissed and have an F1 student visa, their SEVIS record and I-20 are terminated immediately.

Columbia University expects students to act with honesty and proper behavior and to respect the rights of others at all times, both on campus and off. Any academic dishonesty in any form, or any personal behavior that disrupts the life of the University hurts members of the University community will not be accepted and will result in serious action.

Because the School of Professional Studies takes matters of intellectual honesty very seriously, academic dishonesty is not tolerated. Acts of academic dishonesty include but are not limited to:

• Cheating on examinations, including the American Language Program’s English placement test and ALP Essay Exam.
• Making up (inventing) information in any course or laboratory work.
• Misrepresenting (giving incorrect information) about one’s academic record at Columbia or elsewhere.
• Plagiarizing (copying) another’s work or one’s own, including the submission of work prepared or purchased (bought) from another.
• Helping others in plagiarism.
• Lying in connection with any academic matter, including applications for admission or financial aid.
• Creating, changing or misusing University documents.
• Improperly using libraries or the materials they contain.

The School also prohibits behavior that interferes with the operation of the University or with the activities of other members of the University community. Examples of these behaviors include but are not limited to:

• Harassing (annoying) or intimidating (scaring) others.
• Making rude, abusive, or insulting comments about another person’s gender, race (skin color), nationality/ culture, religion, disability, age or sexual orientation.
• Interfering with research or instruction.
• Improperly using (not using correctly) University services, equipment, or facilities, including University e-mail and telephones.
• Failing to follow (not following) a legitimate order of the University authority.

Academic and behavioral misconduct carry severe punishment. Plagiarism (copying someone else’s writing or one’s own writing), whether or not it is intentional, results in a failing grade on the assignment and in the course. For degree candidates in the School of Professional Studies, it also means immediate dismissal from their program of study. Students enrolled through other divisions of the University, if accused of any of the offenses mentioned above, may be referred to their home schools for disciplinary hearing and possible suspension or dismissal.

Ignorance of, (not knowing) the School’s policy concerning academic dishonesty is not a defense in any situation. The American Language Program and the School of Professional Studies hold each member of the community responsible for understanding these rules and for following them.