Academic English Program

Saint Louis University's Academic English Program provides students with first-rate English language instruction and the necessary academic skills to succeed in college. Courses in Levels 1 and 2 are theme-based, while courses in Levels 3 and 4 employ sustained content-based instruction.

Objectives

Students in the Academic English Program will regularly participate in the following learning activities:
  • Present spoken and written ideas accurately and effectively in English
  • Write academic papers using citations and references
  • Read, understand and evaluate academic texts
  • Understand and use vocabulary common to academic disciplines
  • Take accurate notes in academic settings
  • Understand U.S. values in an academic setting

Entry Requirements for Academic English

Sub-score requirements may apply.

Level TOEFL IELTS PTEA Duolingo
Level 1: Beginner < 35 < 4.0 < 36 < 55
Level 2: High Beginner 35 4.0 36 55
Level 3: Intermediate 40 4.5 38 65
Level 4: High Intermediate 50 5.0 40 75

Academic English Program Requirements

  • A student may start their studies in the Academic English Program at any level. Placement is determined by their study plan and their English placement scores.
  • To progress to the next level in Academic English and remain in good standing, a student must:
    • earn a minimum semester GPA of 2.50
    • earn a C or better in each course of a level
    • meet minimum attendance requirements
  • To complete the Academic English Program and progress to an undergraduate or graduate pathway program, a student must meet the above requirements in Academic English Level 4.

One-Semester Academic English

AEP 0400Writing and Grammar Level 4: High Intermediate3
AEP 0411People, Places, Connections: An Introduction to Human Geography3
or AEP 1410 People, Places, Connections: An Introduction to Human Geography
or AEP 0410 Contemporary Issues Level 4: High Intermediate
AEP 0420Reading and Vocabulary Level 4: High Intermediate3
AEP 0430Listening and Speaking Level 4: High Intermediate3
Total Credits12

Two-Semester Academic English 

AEP 0300Writing and Grammar Level 3: Intermediate3
AEP 0310Exploring Cultures Level 3: Intermediate3
AEP 0320Reading and Vocabulary Level 3: Intermediate3
AEP 0330Listening and Speaking Level 3: Intermediate3
AEP 0400Writing and Grammar Level 4: High Intermediate3
AEP 0411People, Places, Connections: An Introduction to Human Geography3
or AEP 1410 People, Places, Connections: An Introduction to Human Geography
or AEP 0410 Contemporary Issues Level 4: High Intermediate
AEP 0420Reading and Vocabulary Level 4: High Intermediate3
AEP 0430Listening and Speaking Level 4: High Intermediate3
Total Credits24

Three-Semester Academic English 

AEP 0200Writing and Grammar Level 2: High Beginner4
AEP 0220Reading and Vocabulary Level 2: High Beginner4
AEP 0230Listening and Speaking Level 2: High Beginner4
AEP 0300Writing and Grammar Level 3: Intermediate3
AEP 0310Exploring Cultures Level 3: Intermediate3
AEP 0320Reading and Vocabulary Level 3: Intermediate3
AEP 0330Listening and Speaking Level 3: Intermediate3
AEP 0400Writing and Grammar Level 4: High Intermediate3
AEP 0411People, Places, Connections: An Introduction to Human Geography3
or AEP 1410 People, Places, Connections: An Introduction to Human Geography
or AEP 0410 Contemporary Issues Level 4: High Intermediate
AEP 0420Reading and Vocabulary Level 4: High Intermediate3
AEP 0430Listening and Speaking Level 4: High Intermediate3
Total Credits36

Four-Semester Academic English 

AEP 0100Writing and Grammar Level 1: Beginner4
AEP 0120Reading and Vocabulary Level 1: Beginner4
AEP 0130Listening and Speaking Level 1: Beginner4
AEP 0200Writing and Grammar Level 2: High Beginner4
AEP 0220Reading and Vocabulary Level 2: High Beginner4
AEP 0230Listening and Speaking Level 2: High Beginner4
AEP 0300Writing and Grammar Level 3: Intermediate3
AEP 0310Exploring Cultures Level 3: Intermediate3
AEP 0320Reading and Vocabulary Level 3: Intermediate3
AEP 0330Listening and Speaking Level 3: Intermediate3
AEP 0400Writing and Grammar Level 4: High Intermediate3
AEP 0411People, Places, Connections: An Introduction to Human Geography3
or AEP 1410 People, Places, Connections: An Introduction to Human Geography
or AEP 0410 Contemporary Issues Level 4: High Intermediate
AEP 0420Reading and Vocabulary Level 4: High Intermediate3
AEP 0430Listening and Speaking Level 4: High Intermediate3
Total Credits48

Continuation Standards

Students must earn a minimum semester GPA of 2.50, receive no grades lower than a "C" in a given level, and meet minimum attendance requirements to remain in good academic standing.

Roadmaps are recommended semester-by-semester plans of study for programs and assume full-time enrollment unless otherwise noted.  

Courses and milestones designated as critical (marked with !) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation. Transfer credit may change the roadmap.

This roadmap should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor/mentor each semester. Requirements, course availability and sequencing are subject to change.

One-Semester Academic English 

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
FallCredits
AEP 0400 Writing and Grammar Level 4: High Intermediate 3
AEP 0411
People, Places, Connections: An Introduction to Human Geography
or People, Places, Connections: An Introduction to Human Geography
or Contemporary Issues Level 4: High Intermediate
3
AEP 0420 Reading and Vocabulary Level 4: High Intermediate 3
AEP 0430 Listening and Speaking Level 4: High Intermediate 3
AEP 0350 English through Service Level 3: Intermediate 1
 Credits13
 Total Credits13

Two-Semester Academic English 

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
FallCredits
AEP 0300 Writing and Grammar Level 3: Intermediate 3
AEP 0310 Exploring Cultures Level 3: Intermediate 3
AEP 0320 Reading and Vocabulary Level 3: Intermediate 3
AEP 0330 Listening and Speaking Level 3: Intermediate 3
AEP 0350 English through Service Level 3: Intermediate 1
 Credits13
Spring
AEP 0400 Writing and Grammar Level 4: High Intermediate 3
AEP 0411
People, Places, Connections: An Introduction to Human Geography
or People, Places, Connections: An Introduction to Human Geography
or Contemporary Issues Level 4: High Intermediate
3
AEP 0420 Reading and Vocabulary Level 4: High Intermediate 3
AEP 0430 Listening and Speaking Level 4: High Intermediate 3
 Credits12
 Total Credits25

Three-Semester Academic English 

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
FallCredits
AEP 0200 Writing and Grammar Level 2: High Beginner 4
AEP 0220 Reading and Vocabulary Level 2: High Beginner 4
AEP 0230 Listening and Speaking Level 2: High Beginner 4
 Credits12
Spring
AEP 0300 Writing and Grammar Level 3: Intermediate 3
AEP 0310 Exploring Cultures Level 3: Intermediate 3
AEP 0320 Reading and Vocabulary Level 3: Intermediate 3
AEP 0330 Listening and Speaking Level 3: Intermediate 3
AEP 0350 English through Service Level 3: Intermediate 1
 Credits13
Summer
AEP 0400 Writing and Grammar Level 4: High Intermediate 3
AEP 0411
People, Places, Connections: An Introduction to Human Geography
or People, Places, Connections: An Introduction to Human Geography
or Contemporary Issues Level 4: High Intermediate
3
AEP 0420 Reading and Vocabulary Level 4: High Intermediate 3
AEP 0430 Listening and Speaking Level 4: High Intermediate 3
 Credits12
 Total Credits37

Four-Semester Academic English 

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
FallCredits
AEP 0100 Writing and Grammar Level 1: Beginner 4
AEP 0120 Reading and Vocabulary Level 1: Beginner 4
AEP 0130 Listening and Speaking Level 1: Beginner 4
 Credits12
Spring
AEP 0200 Writing and Grammar Level 2: High Beginner 4
AEP 0220 Reading and Vocabulary Level 2: High Beginner 4
AEP 0230 Listening and Speaking Level 2: High Beginner 4
 Credits12
Summer
AEP 0300 Writing and Grammar Level 3: Intermediate 3
AEP 0310 Exploring Cultures Level 3: Intermediate 3
AEP 0320 Reading and Vocabulary Level 3: Intermediate 3
AEP 0330 Listening and Speaking Level 3: Intermediate 3
 Credits12
Year Two
Fall
AEP 0400 Writing and Grammar Level 4: High Intermediate 3
AEP 0411
People, Places, Connections: An Introduction to Human Geography
or People, Places, Connections: An Introduction to Human Geography
or Contemporary Issues Level 4: High Intermediate
3
AEP 0420 Reading and Vocabulary Level 4: High Intermediate 3
AEP 0430 Listening and Speaking Level 4: High Intermediate 3
AEP 0350 English through Service Level 3: Intermediate 1
 Credits13
 Total Credits49