Intensive English Program (IEP)
The Intensive English Program at Santa Monica College will help you improve your skills
in speaking, reading, listening to, and writing English. Classes start at the beginning of every month. The tuition cost is only $1,000 per month! (Note: While tuition is billed for number
of months enrolled, the College does not offer monthly payment plans.)
The Intensive English Program is only available to F-1 International Students with a valid I-20. To apply, please start with the International Application.
Intensive English Section Dates
Students may join the program on any of the start dates listed below for intensive preparation in academic English and campus culture. Twice each year, the program offers a Language and Culture session, which includes field trips into the community, an emphasis on developing social English skills, and learning about American culture both on and off campus. The Language and Culture sessions are open to new academic students as well as IEP students.
2023 - 2024 Intensive English Program Session Dates
Summer Sessions 2023
June Session
Monday, June 5 - Friday, June 30, 2023
July Session
Monday, July 3 - Friday, July 28, 2023
August Session (3 Week Language and Culture Session)
Monday, July 31 - Friday, August 18, 2023
fall sessions 2023
September Session
Thursday, August 31 - Friday, September 29, 2023
October Session
Thursday, September 28 - Friday, October 27, 2023
November Session
Thursday, October 26 - Wednesday, November 22, 2023
December Session (3 Week Language and Culture Session)
Monday, November 27 - Friday, December 15, 2023
winter sessions 2024
January Session
Tuesday, January 2 - Friday, January 26, 2024
spring sessions 2024
February Session
Thursday, January 25 - Friday, February 23, 2024
March Session
Thursday, February 22 - Friday, March 22, 2024
April Session
Thursday, March 21 - Friday, April 26, 2024
(No classes during spring break week: April 8 - April 12)
May Session
Thursday, April 25 - Friday, May 24, 2024
High Beginner/Intermediate Intensive English Program (Not For Credit)
These not-for-credit courses are intended for F-1 international students who have studied English in the past, but do not meet the minimum TOEFL or alternative proof of English proficiency to be admitted as an academic program F-1 international student. This multi-skills course is designed for high beginners and intermediate students who are literate in one language and interested in improving their English for academic communication, reading and writing, and ultimately for success in for-credit college classes.
The course provides an introduction to the basic structures of the English language and focuses on the reading, writing, listening and speaking skills necessary for living and studying in the US. The Intensive English Courses meet 20 contact hours per week. During the fall and spring semester months, classes meet 4 hours per day Monday – Friday. Students are assigned to a morning and an afternoon session. Please note that during the winter or summer session months, the schedule may be altered to take place Monday – Thursday for 20 contact hours per week. Participants will be notified of this schedule prior to the start of the session.
To apply for the Intensive English Program, visit the How to Apply to SMC page.
Important
All students accepted into the SMC Intensive English Program will participate in a mandatory orientation, which takes place before the start of classes.
You will need to arrive in the U.S. before your orientation date to secure your own housing. Students who do not arrive in time for their orientation program may be deferred to the following month, session, or semester at SMC.
SMC English as a Second Language (ESL)- For Academic Credit
Students who complete the INTENSIVE ENGLISH PROGRAM (IEP) may enroll in for-credit ESL courses once they are admitted to the academic program. Students may take other college-level courses while completing the higher levels of the ESL courses. To learn more about the for-credit ESL program, please visit the ESL Department website.