English as a Second Language
Overview
SCAD offers an intensive, five-level English as a Second Language program for intermediate and advanced non-native speakers of English who need or want greater proficiency in the English language before progressing into the academic programs of SCAD. The SCAD ESL program is approved by the American Association of Intensive English Programs American Association of Intensive English Programs and offers courses in all English language skills for academic purposes. ESL instruction also is available for students who want to improve their English skills without enrolling in academic programs at SCAD.
Students are placed into the appropriate level of the ESL program by taking the ACTFL Proficiency Tests in their home countries or by taking the SCAD ESL test during orientation. Students can prove proficiency in English and receive a waiver for ESL by meeting one of a number of specific conditions before enrolling for their first academic quarter at SCAD. Specific requirements for ESL waiver are available online. Students who do not meet the requirements for ESL waiver must take the proficiency test upon arrival at SCAD.
The SCAD ESL program is offered year-round and is designed to prepare students to use English in an academic setting and to become conversant in topics related to the courses of study offered at SCAD. To that end, ESL instructors provide assistance with study skills and strategies, and introduce students to the United States university classroom environment where active student participation and critical questioning are accepted, encouraged and expected.
The ESL program provides levels of English language instruction appropriate to the needs and proficiency of students. ESL coursework is supplemented by an ESL peer tutoring program focusing on conversation skills, pronunciation skills and cultural exchange. Tutorials are required in ESL levels II, III and IV and are highly recommended for ESL levels V and VI. Peer tutors possess native proficiency in English and are trained in the tutorial process. Field trips, guest speakers and cultural activities augment the ESL curriculum and provide creative insights into the study of language and culture.
The SCAD ESL program is offered year-round and is designed to prepare students to use English in an academic setting and to become conversant in topics related to the courses of study offered at SCAD. To that end, ESL instructors provide assistance with study skills and strategies, and introduce students to the United States university classroom environment where active student participation and critical questioning are accepted, encouraged and expected.
The ESL program provides levels of English language instruction appropriate to the needs and proficiency of students. ESL coursework is supplemented by an ESL peer tutoring program focusing on conversation skills, pronunciation skills and cultural exchange. Tutorials are required in ESL levels II, III and IV and are highly recommended for ESL levels V and VI. Peer tutors possess native proficiency in English and are trained in the tutorial process. Field trips, guest speakers and cultural activities augment the ESL curriculum and provide creative insights into the study of language and culture.
ESL classes do not carry credit toward a degree program. Students placed in levels II, III and IV are required to enroll as full-time ESL students to gain the English proficiency necessary to advance into a degree program at SCAD. These students are required to attend two hours of ESL tutoring per week in addition to their ESL class instruction, for a total of 22 hours per week of English language instruction.
Undergraduate Level V ESL students may take one studio class per quarter for credit while enrolling simultaneously in two non-credit ESL classes. Students in Level VI may take two academic courses for credit while enrolling simultaneously in one non-credit ESL capstone course. Graduate students placed in Level VI ESL may take thesis writing, career preparation or contemporary art history for credit while enrolled in ESL.
Undergraduate Level V ESL students may take one studio class per quarter for credit while enrolling simultaneously in two non-credit ESL classes. Students in Level VI may take two academic courses for credit while enrolling simultaneously in one non-credit ESL capstone course. Graduate students placed in Level VI ESL may take thesis writing, career preparation or contemporary art history for credit while enrolled in ESL.
ESL tuition
Completion of ESL courses lengthens the amount of time the degree-seeking student must commit to completing a course of study at SCAD and, thus, increases the total cost for the student.
Ten-week regular session
Apply to the ESL Program!
Ten-week regular session
- Levels II, III and IV (four ESL courses) - $,2,200
- Level V (two ESL courses)* - $1,100
- Level VI for graduate students (one ESL course)* - $550
Apply to the ESL Program!
ESL waiver
All new international students for whom English is not a first language are required to pass an English language proficiency test administered by the ESL department or meet one of a number of specific conditions before enrolling for their first academic quarter at the college. Students who do not meet the requirements for ESL waiver must take the proficiency test. Read the requirements for the ESL waiver.
Student visas
Non-immigrants entering the United States must enter on an F-1 visa in order to enroll in SCAD's ESL program. Students must present a valid Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) I-20 to their nearest U.S. consulate in order to apply for an F-1 visa. Read a list of U.S. consulates worldwide.
In addition to the valid SEVIS I-20, students may be required to present the following:
In addition to the valid SEVIS I-20, students may be required to present the following:
- Current, valid passport
- Current, dated financial documentation
- A non-immigrant visa application
- Proof of SEVIS fee payment.
- Current passport photograph
- Proof of permanent address in home country and proof of plans to return to home country
Transfer students
Students who are transferring F-1 status from another institution in the United States to SCAD must be properly transferred by their current college/university to SCAD through the SEVIS system. Once the student's record has been received through SEVIS and he or she arrives at SCAD, the transfer process is complete.
Entering the United States
Non-immigrants in F-1 status may not enter the United States more than 30 days prior to the start of the ESL program. Applications received later than two months before the start date will be accepted and processed; however, students who apply later may find it difficult to secure the necessary F-1 visa for entry into the United States. For more information, visit the U.S. Department of State's Web site, call a SCAD international student adviser at 912.525.7303 or e-mail International Student Services.
International student services
Students from approximately 100 countries attend SCAD. To ease the transition into American culture, the university provides a staff of international student services advisers. Orientation in Savannah or Atlanta for new international students takes place at the beginning of each quarter. International student services advisers may address questions concerning academics, college life, communication with the home country, cross-cultural issues, employment, health care, housing, safety, immigration, insurance, scholarships, taxes, travel and personal matters. The advisers also provide information on upcoming events and changes in immigration or visa-related regulations. Learn more about international student services.
Contact Admission
- admission@scad.edu
- Hong Kong/Savannah/eLearning: 800.869.7223 or 912.525.5100
- Atlanta: 877.722.3285 or 404.253.2700
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