Intensive English Program (IEP)

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.