Additional Academic

Additional Academic Opportunities

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The Center for American English Language and Culture (CAELC) provides an array of services to help members of the University of Virginia community attain the level of linguistic and cultural proficiency needed for success at a research university in the United States. CAELC offers a number of ESL courses free of charge to students who have matriculated in a degree program at U.Va. Visiting scholars and research associates may enroll in CAELC classes as space allows. Completion of the University of Virginia English Language Proficiency Exam must precede placement in any CAELC class. Individuals can take the exam at the beginning of each semester and by appointment throughout the year. CAELC also administers the SPEAK Test in August, December, and May. The SPEAK Test is used to assess the oral proficiency of prospective graduate teaching assistants whose native language is not English. CAELC offers several courses designed to help prospective teaching assistants develop the communication skills needed for teaching in a U.S. college or university. CAELC offers an intensive English for Academic Purposes (EAP) program through the University’s Summer Language Institute, mid-July through mid-August. The EAP program is for entering students and research associates. CAELC endorses the NAFSA Principles of International Educational Exchange and the TESOL Standards for Post Secondary Programs. Information on testing, classes, and other services is available at www.virginia.edu/provost/caelc, caelc@virginia.edu, or (434) 924-924-3371.

The U.Va. Post-Baccalaureate Pre-Medical Program is designed for individuals with exceptional academic records who have not fulfilled their pre-medical prerequisites as an undergraduate and seek the science background to apply to medical school and a future career in medicine. This full-time, twelve month program’s focus is the education and immersion of students in the pre-medical science curriculum, the medical field, and medical practices and related opportunities. Topical medical seminars, as well as volunteer and paid medical-related experiences will acquaint students with the medical field in preparation for the MCAT entrance examination and medical school admission. For more information please visit the program online at www.uvapostbacpremed.info/.

Each summer, the University of Virginia offers a rich selection of programs and courses to over four-thousand students through its Summer Session. Many of these programs and courses are not available during the academic year, including the University’s well-known Summer Language Institute (SLI). U.Va. students commonly enroll in the Summer Session to fulfill degree requirements, double major, improve their GPA, shorten time to their degree, or explore new interests. Summer Session students have access to an array of support services and extra-curricular activities during their studies. The list of Summer Session 2009 courses can be viewed at www.virginia.edu/summer after November 26, 2008.

U.Va. students enrolled in the 2009 spring semester and not graduating at the end of that semester may register for Summer Session courses on-line through ISIS or in-person at the Summer Session Office anytime between April 27, 2009, and the first day of their class. U.Va. students who are graduated in May, 2009 must first complete the Summer Session application for visiting students. Note: Any individual who wishes to enroll in the Summer Language Institute must complete the SLI application process.

The Summer Session welcomes visiting students. The majority of these individuals are enrolled at another college or university and come to U.Va. to complete courses not offered at their home institution. Visiting students must apply for admission to the Summer Session. Rising high school juniors and seniors with distinguished academic records may also apply for admission to the Summer Session. Admission to the Summer Session does not constitute admission to the University of Virginia. Comprehensive information on the University of Virginia’s Summer Session and application materials are available at www.virginia.edu/summer. For more information contact the Office of the Summer and Special Academic Programs, Garrett Hall B019, University of Virginia, P.O. Box 400161, Charlottesville, VA 22904-4161; (434) 924-3371; summer@virginia.edu.

The Summer Language Institute (SLI) offers nine-week programs in Chinese, French, German, Italian, Latin, Russian, Spanish, and Tibetan. Students attend classes five days a week, six hours a day. Communication skills are developed in a student-centered environment. Participation in evening cultural activities is required five days/week. Individuals who successfully complete the Institute programs in French, German, Italian, Latin, Russian, Spanish, and Tibetan earn 12 credits, which satisfies the foreign language requirement at the University of Virginia. Participants in the SLI Chinese program earn 8 credits.

The Summer Language Institute also offers English for Academic Purposes. Participants in this 4.5-week program enjoy the intensive learning experience found in other SLI programs.

Information and application materials are available at www.virginia.edu/summer/sli. For further information, contact the Summer Language Institute, Office of Summer and Special Academic Programs, Garrett Hall B019, University of Virginia, P.O. Box 400161, Charlottesville, VA 22904-4161; (434) 924-6552; uvasli@virginia.edu.

English for Academic Purposes (ESL) The Center for American English Language and Culture (CAELC) offers an intensive language and culture program through the Summer Language Institute (SLI). The program is designed for non-native speakers of English who have been admitted to an undergraduate or graduate degree program at the University of Virginia. Incoming U.Va. research associates and visiting scholars are also welcome to apply for admission to the program. Participants fine-tune the language skills required for success in U.S. higher education through classes in academic writing, academic reading and vocabulary development, listening comprehension and note-taking, classroom discussion strategies, and presentation skills. A pronunciation assessment is conducted with follow-up work assigned as needed.

The program includes a series of workshops that provides a general introduction to U.S. higher education. Workshop topics include library and research skills, university computing resources and facilities, academic culture, student-faculty relationships, cross-cultural awareness, and student services. Cultural proficiency is developed through a combination of workshops and activities. Activities include social gatherings, sporting events, field trips, and frequent meetings with conversation partners. A minimum TOEFL score of 550 (PBT), 213 (CBT), and 79-80 (iBT) is recommended. An overall band score of 6.0 is recommended for individuals who take the IELTS.

For further information, contact CAELC, Garrett Hall B019, University of Virginia, P.O. Box 400161, Charlottesville, VA 22904-4161; (434) 924-6552; caelc@virginia.edu; www.virginia.edu/provost/caelc.

University of Virginia views Study and Independent Research Abroad as an important educational endeavors, enriching both academically and personally, and crucial in preparing students for success in the global world. Overseas learning experience combines intellectual pursuits with first hand exposure to different peoples and their cultural traditions. It provides the students with an opportunity to gain an international perspective on their chosen academic field or career path and to learn and practice important life skills - critical thinking, independence, flexibility, resilience, and the ability to interact and communicate across differences.

ISO provides professional advising and guidance to the students throughout the process of choosing the program best suited for the student’s needs and preparing the student for a meaningful sojourn. The International Studies Office is additionally charged with maintaining records of all U.Va. students participating in the wide variety of international programs.

Study Abroad Programs: The International Studies Office offers a number of study abroad programs, some of which are open to graduate students. These include exchange programs, U.Va. programs, and ‘outside’ programs. Programs vary in duration, destination, content, and the degree of immersion into the local culture.

 

•   U.Va. Programs: University of Virginia faculty members have developed and are directing close to 50 study abroad programs. Several programs offer graduate credit. Depending on the program, students receive either U.Va. credit or transfer credit. Costs differ by program.
•   U.Va. Exchanges: U.Va. has established over 40 bi-lateral and multi-lateral agreements with foreign universities. Under these agreements, U.Va. students enroll into partner institutions as visiting students, while students from partner universities study at U.Va. Faculty both from U.Va. and the partner universities communicate about department requirements and curricula to ensure maximum benefits for the student. If English is not the language of instruction at the host university, U.Va. students need to meet a prescribed language requirement prior to participating in the exchange. U.Va. students on exchange programs pay regular U.Va. tuition and fees; room and board expenses are paid abroad.
• Outside Programs: Programs run by other US or foreign universities may also be available for graduate student participation. Students would work in collaboration with the International Studies Office to enroll through that program sponsor and receive transfer credit toward the completion of their U.Va. degree.

Independent Research & Travel: Graduate students wishing to conduct research or academic projects outside of the US are encouraged to do so. Faculty advisors and researchers can provide excellent resources and contacts abroad. Graduate students who have set up their research projects overseas should submit information about their research destination, travel plans, and emergency contacts to the ISO.

Eligibility:

• Any U.Va. degree-seeking graduate student, who is in good academic and disciplinary standing, is eligible to study abroad.
• Please note that some programs may have admissions requirements higher than the general study abroad eligibility requirements.

Financial Considerations: U.Va. is committed to making study abroad affordable and accessible to all its students. Graduate students receiving financial aid through Student Financial Services can apply that funding towards their study abroad programs, provided courses taken abroad satisfy the student’s degree requirements. Additional funding is available through several study abroad scholarships administered through individual schools and university-wide offices, including the Center for Global Health.

Health and Safety in Study Abroad: The International Studies Office and the Office of the Provost work closely with the U.Va.’s Office of Risk Management and the Overseas Advisory Council of the State Department to ensure maximum safety of U.Va. students on study abroad programs. U.Va. policy limits graduate student academic travel to areas of the world for which an active State Department Travel Warning is in effect. Special documentation justifying the study or research in a travel warning zone as essential to the graduate student’s academic program is required. Through mandatory pre-departure orientations ISO and the Elson Student Health Center ensure that all students are aware of possible health dangers and have access to required and recommended vaccinations and medications.

More information on all types of programs, specific program details, deadlines, costs, study abroad advising hours, as well as the application materials is available at http://www.studyabroad.virginia.edu/. With further inquiries, contact the International Studies Office, 225 Minor Hall, Charlottesville, VA, 22904, (434) 982-3010, studyabroad@virginia.edu.