Intensive English Program at St. Mary’s University
The Intensive English Program (IEP) at St. Mary’s provides international participants and other interested participants the English language training necessary to communicate in an academic and/or professional setting in English.
Program Overview
The Intensive English Program complements the St. Mary’s 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.
Students Explore Their Identities Through Art
Click on the video below to learn about how five students use art to explore their identities.
Opportunity and Success
- Master English language skills
- Online Courses
- Customized programs
- Professional and Academic options
- Pathway to enrollment in a U.S. University
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.
Admission Requirements
We are looking forward to welcoming you into the St. Mary’s Intensive English Program (IEP). To be considered for acceptance, applicants must:
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Academic English: Have graduated from high school.
- Legal English: Current or graduated law student in home country.
- Level of English proficiency is intermediate or low B1 level
All IEP students will complete the iTEP Placement test before arriving to St. Mary’s. Three weeks before the beginning of the semester, each student will receive an e-mail from the Associate Director with their log-in credentials. This test will assess your English skills. Students are placed in the level correct for their current English language proficiency.
Learning English allows you to communicate with more people. It also broadens your horizons.”
Genki
2025 IEP Student from Japan
Online Courses Offered
Online Academic English Integrated Skills
Online Academic English Integrated Skills Level 4. Through the integration of reading, writing and grammar instruction, students will strengthen their academic English reading comprehension and vocabulary.
They will also develop greater writing fluency with more complex grammar structures and vocabulary, producing and revising college-level multi-paragraph essays necessary for academic and professional communications. This course is designed to be an intermediate course. Students must be at a low B1 level of proficiency at the time of enrollment.
Classes will meet synchronously two days a week for one and a half hours each day. At the end of Term 1, students will take the iTEP Academic exam to measure their progress. If a student’s score indicates they have advanced to the next level, they may enroll in Level 5 for Term 2. If the scores do not show sufficient improvement to advance, the student will remain in Level 4 for Term 2.
Online Legal English
Legal English is an English preparatory online course for international law students. This course is designed to focus on language proficiency in relation to the four language skills:
- Public Speaking
- Listening
- Reading
- Writing
The class integrates all four language skills using functional, practical and task-based lessons and activities. This class is specifically designed to:
- Build English skills through reading, listening, writing, discussion and presentations.
- Understand and use legal vocabulary via readings while speaking in English, focusing on pronunciation and subject-verb agreement.
- Build an English-speaking pace with clarity.
- Prepare to deliver speeches and speak with English-speaking legal professionals in America.
Important Dates
IEP Online Academic English Integrated Skills Level 4 (IEP0346A)
Tuesday and Thursday, 6:30 to 8 p.m. CST (Days and times may be subject to change).
| Dates | Application Deadline | Classes Begin | Classes End | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring 2026 Term 1 | Jan. 6 to Mar. 6, 2026. No classes from Jan. 27 to Feb. 5, 2026. | Jan. 7, 2026 | Jan. 12, 2026 | Mar. 5, 2026 |
| Spring 2026, Term 2 | Mar. 16 to May 11, 2026 | Mar. 13, 2026 | Mar. 16, 2026 | May 13, 2026 |
Legal English for International Lawyers
Legal English for International Lawyers, Section A (IEP0345A) — Monday and Wednesday, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. CST.
Legal English for International Lawyers, Section B (IEP 0345B) — Friday and Saturday, 6 to 8 a.m. CST.
| Dates | Application Deadline | Classes Begin | Classes End | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring 2026 Term 1 | Jan. 5 to Mar. 5, 2026. No Classes from Jan. 26 to Feb. 4, 2026. | Jan. 2, 2026 | Jan. 5, 2026 | Mar. 5, 2026 |
| Spring 2026, Term 2 | Mar. 16 to May 11, 2026 | Mar. 13, 2026 | Mar. 16, 2026 | May 13, 2026 |
Helpful Information
| Tuition and Fees | Cost |
|---|---|
| Deposit | $100 |
| Online Course Tuition (per course) | $1,350 |
| Other Fees | Cost |
|---|---|
| Information Services fee (part-time) | $92 |
Full payment is required prior to the first day of class.
Tuition and Mandatory Fees
For information on withdrawal dates and refunds, please visit the St. Mary’s Registrar page.
Withdrawals and refunds
IEP Student Testimonials
Click on the videos below to view student testimonials.
Questions?
For more information on the Intensive English Program, email intensive_english@stmarytx.edu.