International Center for Academic and Professional English

These students are academically qualified but need to increase their English proficiency to be able to be fully admitted into a university degree program. 

StepUp involves intensive pre-matriculation coursework that provides comprehensive English language and cultural training. Our goal is to help multilingual students develop high-intermediate to advanced levels of academic English language proficiency so they can communicate effectively with teachers and other students on campus and as socialize effectively into the culture of a U.S. university.

CONDITIONAL ADMISSIONS

At Lehigh University some Lehigh programs will offer conditional admissions to those students who do not have the required English language test scores. These students usually apply to their intended Lehigh University program before considering StepUp programming. However, other students might consider StepUp programming first in order to improve their English language test scores and work on their Lehigh applications with the help of ICAPE staff.

If you receive Conditional Admissions to Lehigh University, you must complete StepUp Application and submit the $515 deposit by the StepUp deadline each semester (i.e., two months or 60 days before the first day of ICAPE programming). Payments may be submitted using our secure online marketplace. Refunds are only granted in cases of visa denial/delay under certain unforeseen circumstances or updated official score reports such as TOEFL/IELTS for conditional admissions. In both cases, you must provide written notice to ICAPE (email is acceptable) by that 60 day deadline in order to receive any refund. If you have any questions about the conditions in your letter, please contact your graduate department or the ICAPE office (stepup@lehigh.edu). 

SUMMER STEP-UP BRIDGE COURSES FOR CREDIT: Students 17 years of age or older, including conditionally admitted students, may be eligible to take a limited number of English courses for transferable undergraduate credit if they submit official standardized English language test scores such as TOEFL, IELTS, or DuoLingo English. Summer credit courses include the following:

ENGL 003: Composition and Literature I for International Writers (3 CR): May 18-August 7

ENGL 016: Recitation for First year Composition (1 CR): May 18-August 7

ENGL 015: Speech Communication for International Speakers of English (1 CR): June 28-August 7

MINIMUM TEST SCORES FOR CREDIT COURSES:

TOEFL IBT-80; IELTS-6.0; DuoLingo English-100

*IMPORTANT: Students are accepted into English credit courses as non-degree-seeking students. Passing credit courses does not guarantee acceptance into a Lehigh University degree program. Interested students would need to apply to the university, submit sufficient test scores in their complete application dossier, and be considered for acceptance into a specific academic program as a fully admitted degree-seeking student. Undergraduate Admissions: https://www1.lehigh.edu/admissions

Schedule and Pricing

Spring 2020: February 5th to April 3rd (application deadline for I-20, if needed: December 9th)

Full Summer 2020 (for ENGL 003 & 016): May 18th to August 7th (application deadline for credit courses and housing, if neeeded: February 5th)

Summer II 2020: June 18th to August 7th (application deadline for I-20, if needed: April 20th)

Fall 2020: September 9th to November 13th (application deadline for I-20, if needed: July 9th)

PROGRAM PRICES:

You must complete StepUp Application and submit the $515 plus $78 reigistration fees by the StepUp deadline noted below. Payments may be submitted using our secure online marketplace.  Full-time Intensive Step-Up program price is $4,900.

StepUp Bridge Credit Price: See the following webpage for current per-credit rates.

*We can also offer, upon request, additional two-week non-credit StepUp Bootcamp English programming ($800) as an optional add-on in between StepUp sessions for students who need to extend their intensive English language training. 

Individual Part-Time Courses

IELTS/TOEFL Practice, 4 hours per week: $1,500

Integrated Academic Writing and Reading, 6 hours per week: $1,500

Integrated Speaking and Listening, 6 hours per week: $1,500

Communicating on Campus, 2 hours per week: $725

Academic Study Skills, 2 hours per week: $725

Language Focus Workshops, 2 hours per week: $725

Reading and Discussion, 2 hours per week: $725

Sample Schedule

How to Apply

Complete the StepUp Application online and pay the application fee of $78 and the nonrefundable deposit of $515. If you are accepted into the StepUp Program, we will send you a program acceptance letter, instructions on payment, and instructions on obtaining your I-20 and visa if you need one.

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