Program Overview

The Intensive English Program (IEP) at St. Mary’s University is designed to provide international participants and other interested participants the English language training necessary to learn English in order to prepare them to communicate in an academic and/or professional setting. Additionally, for family members of our international students, the IEP provides an opportunity to develop English language skills during their time in San Antonio.

The Intensive English Program complements the St. Mary’s University mission by creating opportunities for improved communications between peoples from different societies and cultures. Communication is the cornerstone of understanding, and understanding is essential for leadership. The Intensive English Program supports international students by sharpening their oral and literate communication skills so that they will be successful in future academic and professional endeavors.

Important Dates

SessionApplication DeadlinePlacement Testing and OrientationFirst Day of Class and Tuition DueLast Day of ClassIEP Final / Exit Program
Fall 2024June 1, 2024iTEP in student’s home country using Lock Down Browser will be July 29 through Aug. 9 2024. St. Mary’s University must receive scores by Aug. 9, 2024. Orientation TBD.Tuesday, Aug. 20Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024Monday Dec. 9, and Tuesday Dec. 10, 2024. Exit Program: Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024
Spring 2025Nov. 1, 2024iTEPS in student’s home country using Lock Down Browser Dec. 16 through Jan. 4 University must receive scores by Jan. 5, 2025. Orientation Monday, Jan. 13, 2025.Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025Thursday, May 8, 2025Monday, May 11, 2025, and Tuesday, May 12, 2025. Exit Program: Thursday, May 14, 2025
Dates are subject to change at any time. Placement testing and orientation is required of all students. Application deadlines are for students who need an F-1 visa. Students already in the U.S. who have an eligible visa to enroll in the program (e.g., F-1 transfer students, permanent residents, F-2, A-2, L-2) must apply no later than a week ahead of each session’s orientation date.

Helpful Information

International students are welcome and included on our campus and have access to all the on-campus services and amenities like student health services, the library, intramurals, on-campus clubs, and campus housing and campus dining.

TuitionFall 2023
Full-time tuition (4 classes)$3,800
Part-time tuition (3 classes)$2,850
Part-time tuition (2 classes)$1,900
Part-time tuition (1 class)$950
InsuranceFall 2023
All students (part-time or full-time)$1,335
ID Card ReplacementCost
All students (new card or replacement)$10
Other feesFall 2023
Student services fee$496
Textbook cost$200

Notice:

  • Total tuition and fees are due for each semester/term
  • Costs for room and board can be found in “Housing and Meals Cost”
  • Health insurance is mandatory
  • Tuition and fees can change without notice
Financial Requirements to Issue an I-20 for an F-1 Visa IEP Studies (one semester)
Tuition and Fees (one semester)$5,841
Living Expenses (one semester)$6,012
Total$11,853
Financial Requirements to Issue an I-20 for an F-1 Visa for IEP Studies (academic year)
Tuition and Fees (academic year)$11,692
Living Expenses (academic year)$12,024
Total$23,696
Tuition and Mandatory Fees

All costs are per semester.

Housing$3,553-$4,225
Determined by which dormitory you are placed in.
Residential Student Meal Plan Options — 2022-2023
Meal PlanCost per semester (includes tax)
Rattler All-Access 5$2,118 (includes $300 Dining Dollars*)
Rattler All-Access 7$2,415 (includes $250 Dining Dollars*)

*Dining dollars can be used at any of the on-campus restaurants (Subway, Chick-Fil-A, etc.)

The costs for housing, meals, tuition, student services feed, any mandatory fees (including lab fees), as well as insurance costs are subject to change every year as published and approved.

Housing and Meal Costs

Estimated Expenses for Intensive English Program – International Students

Fall 2023

One 14-week semester of full-time studies (12 credit hours)
Tuition$3,800
Student fees$496
Health insurance$1,335
ID card$10
Books$200
Living expenses$6,012
Total$11,853
One academic year of full-time studies (12 credit hours)
Tuition$7,600
Student fees$992
Health insurance$2,670
ID card$10
Books$400
Living expenses$12,024
Total$23,696
Dependents (per individual/per academic year)
Spouse$5,000
Child$3,000

The Estimated Cost of Attendance, also referred to as the student budget, is our best approximation of what each student at St. Mary’s will need each year. A standard student budget is assigned to every enrolled student. Note that these annual costs are estimates. St. Mary’s University charges tuition and fees on a semester basis, not annually. 

Cost of Attendance

For information on withdrawal dates and refunds, please visit the St. Mary’s Registrar page.

Withdrawals and refunds

Each class is 2:15 in instructional length per day (with a 10-minute break, classes are 2:25 in length). 

Fall session: 16 weeks
Orientation:  Friday, Aug. 16, 2024
Placement Testing: Two weeks before arriving on campus, students will complete the language proficiency test, iPET, from their home countries using a lock-down browser.  On July 29,  the department will issue the test, if the application fee has been paid.
First day of class: Tuesday, Aug. 20
Elective Courses:  On Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, students will have the opportunity to choose  a topic to study for an eight week flex class.  .  At the end of the first flex class, students will choose a second topic.  Some electives may be taken a second time depending on the topic. 

MondayTuesdayWednesdayThursdayFriday
9 to 11:30 a.m.Core Skills*Core SkillsCore SkillsCore SkillsNo class
12:30 to 1:35 p.m.Communication Skills**ElectivesCommunication SkillsElectivesNo class


*Academic Writing, Grammar for Accuracy, Reading for Critical Thinking/Vocabulary

**Listening / Speaking, Pronunciation

General Course Schedule – Fall 2024

On top of offering quality English language instruction to master English language skills, students in our program learn other skills necessary to be successful university students, in and outside of the classroom.  Students will have the opportunity to ride San Antonio city busses to visit the many historical sites, museums, restaurants, sporting events and parks.  Field trips are offered to experience the San Antonio, Texas, and American culture. Examples of previous trips include: the San Antonio rodeo,  Texas Hill Country (hiking, picnicking),  the Poteet Strawberry Festival,  Spurs, the five time NBA champions, games, San Antonio Fiesta activities, and Broadway shows at the Tobin Performing Arts Center and Majestic Theatre.

Classes are small and personalized. Classes have 15 students or fewer for better instruction. Individual tutoring help is also available. For prospective students, our IEP is an option for those international students who do not have the required TOEFL/IELTS scores necessary for admission to St. Mary’s or other institutions of higher education where English is the primary language of instruction. We can help you!


How does it work?

  • Before classes begin, the IEP staff will test students to determine which level best fits their needs.
  • The Intensive English Program at St. Mary’s has four levels: Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, Level 4 and University Preparation.
  • Each level has 18 hours of coursework per week and students are expected to spend a minimum of 8-12 hours studying outside of class per week for homework.
  • University Preparation courses may also offer the following: IELTS/TOEFL/GRE classes, academic presentation skills and advanced academic writing.
  • Our program offers classes that are appropriate and engaging for each level.
  • Our grading system follows St. Mary’s policy:

    • 95-100 A = passing
    • 90-94 A- = passing
    • 87-89 B+ = passing
    • 84-86 B = passing
    • 80-83 B- = passing
    • 77-79 C+ = passing
    • 70-76 C = passing
    • 60-69 D = not passing
    • Below 60 F = not passing

Contact

For more information on the Intensive English Program, email intensive_english@stmarytx.edu.

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