The West Virginia University Intensive English Program has received national accreditation from the Consortium of University and College Intensive English Programs.

“WVU’s program is one of only 72 institutions, public and private, whose intensive English programs are accredited by UCIEP, marking the 31-year-old program as one of the best in the country,” said Robert Jones, dean of the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences.

The consortium is an independent group of university and college-administered intensive English programs in the United States. Founded in 1967, its purpose is to advance professional standards and quality instruction in intensive English programs at universities and colleges in the U.S. Member programs are committed to the consortium’s effort to ensure that students receive the highest quality intensive English instruction from trained, professional teachers. Each program undergoes a rigorous application process, including a site visit by an external reviewer, before being accepted.

Stacy Fint, Director of the Intensive English program at WVU, had to submit a thorough study of the program for it to be considered for acceptance. Every five years, each program must submit a substantial self-study document to an evaluation committee, which reviews it to verify that the program continues to meet the standards of the consortium.

West Virginia University’s program brings international students to Morgantown to study English and culture. Students in the program may be enrolled for one semester or a full academic year. The program includes academic and social components for total immersion in our language and culture. Students are enrolled in courses and also travel to New York and Washington, D.C. Once they have completed the coursework and passed the Test of English as a Foreign Language, they may apply to WVU to become undergraduate or graduate students. Some students instead return, with English skills, to universities in their home countries.

Since its inception in 1979, the Intensive English Program has grown from a small group of Japanese students to its largest enrollment to date.

“We are very pleased to be recognized for our growth and excellence in intensive English programming,” said �ngel Tuninetti, chair of the Department of World Languages, Literatures and Linguistics. “Currently we enroll more than 250 students from about 15 different countries. These students bring diversity of language and culture to the campus. The cultural exchange provides for a rich, multicultural atmosphere in the Department of World Languages, Literatures and Linguistics and the University as a whole.”

For more information, contact Ms. Stacy Fint, Director of the IEP at 304-293-3604 ext. 1103 or stacy.fint@mail.wvu.edu

-WVU-

jl/11/2/11

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