Frequently Asked Questions
This section has answers to some common questions you may have. If you have other questions, please contact us directly.
- What are the courses like?
- When does the program begin and end?
- How long does it take to finish the program?
- When are the classes held?
- How many students are in a class?
- How much is tuition?
- Is financial aid available for IEP tuition?
- Can I work?
- How do I find a job?
- What information is there for students who want to enter undergraduate school?
- What information is there for students who want to enter graduate school?
- Can students attend the IEP part-time?
- How long does it take for the IEP to evaluate an application and issue an acceptance letter?
- What is the weather like in Atlanta?
- Can I transfer to another English language program immediately (before attending the IEP at GSU)?
Much research and planning went into developing course content, materials and assignments. IEP classes include Reading and Listening for Academic Purposes, Extensive Reading, Writing for University Exams, Structure and Composition, and Oral Communication for Academic Purposes. Computer skills are an important part of the IEP curriculum. Students increase their knowledge of word processing, e-mail, and the Internet through class activities. Please refer to Courses for detailed information.
2. When does the program begin and end?
The IEP follows the academic calendar of the university closely. Fall semester (15 weeks) begins mid-August and ends early December; Spring semester (15 weeks) begins early January and ends late April or early May, and Summer semester (10 weeks) begins mid-May and ends late July. Please refer to Costs and Dates for more specific information.
3. How long does it take to finish the program?
The IEP has five levels. On the first day of orientation, you will take a placement exam to determine in which level you should be placed. Therefore, your starting level determines how long the program takes to finish. If you are full-time, you’ll progress one level each semester. There are three semesters in one year.
Classes are held in the morning Monday through Friday and in the early afternoon on Tuesday and Thursday. Refer back to the Daily Schedule for a weekly class schedule. A full-time student is in class for a total of 18 hours per week during fall and spring semester, and 25 hours per week during summer semester.
5. How many students are in a class?
The average class size is 17 students.
Tuition for program year 2007-2008 is $3006 per semester. Also, you’ll pay a fee, like all Georgia State students, for use of the library, computers, etc. Please refer to Costs and Dates for more information about educational costs.
7. Is financial aid available for IEP tuition?
No, unfortunately, Pell Grants, Hope Scholarships and other forms of financial aid are not available for your IEP tuition because you do not receive degree credit for IEP classes. If you are a U.S. resident and enter into degree programs at Georgia State, you can become eligible for financial aid.
IEP students who are residents of the United States or who have F-1 visas may work at the university. If you have an F-1 visa you are allowed to work at the university only up to 20 hours a week while you are a full-time student in the IEP. You are not allowed to work off-campus. During longer holidays, you may work up to 40 hours per week and during summer semesters, if you are a part-time student or if you are taking a vacation, you may work up to 40 hours per week.
If you have sent an application to change your visa status to F-1 but you have not yet received the new visa, you are not allowed to work until your change of status is official.
1. Go to www.gsu.edu/~wwwcjs from a computer on campus.
- Click on MonsterTrak.com on the right.
- Click on "Search Jobs and Internships"
- Click on Georgia on the map
- Select " Georgia State University " under Colleges and Universities
- Click on "Jobs and Internships"
- The next screen will request information to narrow the search. Under Job Type, select, "Part-time", under Location, select " Georgia ", under Limit Jobs Searched, select "on-campus non-work study".
2. Go to an orientation given by Georiga State's Career and Job Search Services. They will help you register and get access to more job listings on the Internet. See the orientation schedule for upcoming workshops.
3. Go to different places on campus and ask about jobs.
Many jobs on campus are found this way! In the past, IEP students have found jobs at the Georiga State University Bookstore in University Center, Georgia State University Computer Services in Library South, the library in Library North, the Child Development Center in Alumni Hall, the Student Recreating Center, etc.
4. You never know when a position may become available. The beginning of the semester is an especially difficult time to find a job, so if they don't have openings the first time, go back after a couple of weeks or a month.
5. Network.
Ask your friends or any student employees you see around campus how they found their jobs.
6. Ask questions.
Application procedures may vary from department to department, so ask them what you need to do.
10. What information is available if I would like to enter undergraduate school at Georgia State?
If you complete the Intensive English Program, you can enter undergraduate study at Georgia State without language proficiency scores. This means that TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Langauge) or GSTEP are not necessary and that the verbal portion of the SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) does not count. If you would like more information on the transition from the IEP to undergraduate study at Georgia State, please contact us directly.
11. What information is available if I would like to enter graduate school?
If you complete the highest level of the IEP, you have the potential to score around 213 on the computer-based TOEFL (550 on the paper-based TOEFL), which is the standard language proficiency score for entry to graduate school. Georgia State offers preparatory classes for graduate school entrance exams (GMAT, GRE). If you would like more information on the transition from the IEP to graduate study at Georgia State, please contact us directly.
12. Can I attend the IEP part-time?
Yes, part-time study is allowed (except if you have an F-1 visa); however, you must enroll for a minimum of nine course hours. Refer to the handout, Part-Time Enrollment, for part-time guidelines.
13. How long does it take for the IEP to evaluate an application and issue an acceptance letter?
If everything is complete, the IEP should be able to complete all the paperwork and issue you an acceptance letter and any necessary visa documents (like an I-20) in about a week.
14. What’s the weather like in Atlanta?
| Average High | Average Low | |
| January - March | 63°F | 36°F |
| July - September | 87°F | 50°F |
| October - December | 74°F | 35°F |
CLIMATE: Georgia has four seasons, with an average year-round temperature of 65°F, perfect for any outdoor activity. Winters are mild with an average high of 55°F, while summers are warm with an average high of 90°F and low of 71°F.
15. Can I transfer to another English language program immediately (before attending the IEP at GSU)?
If you enter the USA with an 1-20 from the Intensive English Program at Georgia State University and wish to withdraw or transfer before attending your first semester, there is a $500.00 withdrawal fee payable by money order or credit card only. When payment has been made, and an admission letter and transfer form from the new school have been received, the Intensive English Program will transfer your record to the new school. We cannot transfer any student until all outstanding fees are paid in full.
