• Minimum 20 hours of classroom time per week
• 14 week intensive language program with courses in reading/writing, speaking/listening, as well as electives
• 7 week intensive language program with courses in reading/writing, speaking/listening, as well as electives
• Short-term professional courses, Pre-Legal Preparation
• Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
• Special Group Programs, which include ESL classes and recreational activities
• TOEFL preparation
• Small classes-15 students or less
• Academic advising for university admissions

Connect

Our staff, who have worked and studied abroad, know that choosing to study abroad can be one of the most challenging steps of your life. We are committed to helping you achieve academic and personal success while you are with us. At orientation, you will tour the university and San Diego, as well as meet international students from around the world who are studying at USD. To ensure your continued success, you will receive academic advising from the faculty and staff, as well as receive a certificate after completing the program.

ELA is housed in a modern new building on campus with state-of-the-art computer equipment, a dedicated teaching faculty, and close to all USD facilities.

Admissions Criteria

1. Academic Requirements
   Students who have completed high school in good academic standing may enter the English Language Academy (ELA). Classes are offered at the Beginning, Intermediate and Advanced levels. Students with a TOEFL score of 430 (paper score) or above should do well at ELA. Even if your TOEFL scores are high, you can still benefit from our study skills courses.
   
   
2. Concurrent enrollment at USD
   ELA students who meet the USD Admissions criteria may take regular university courses (up to six units) on a space available basis.
   
   
3. Conditional Acceptance at USD
   ELA can provide conditional acceptance to a USD degree program. Students who need conditional acceptance to obtain a student visa first must meet the admissions criteria established by USD.
   
   Students seeking conditional admissions should:
   • meet the TOEFL requirements established by the university
   • present acceptable scores on any entrance exams required by USD (SAT, GRE, GMAT, etc.)
   • complete any prerequisite courses for acceptance into a particular major, in addition to language training. These courses can be taken while the student is enrolled in the ELA program.
   
   If you need conditional acceptance, please contact the ELA Program Director for more information
   
   If you have already applied to USD and have been denied admission because of your TOEFL score, the Admissions Office will hold your application for two years to allow you to attain the USD TOEFL requirement of 78 iBT. Please note that individual undergraduate and graduate degree programs at the university require different TOEFL scores.

Housing

Enjoy

• World famous San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Park
• Miles of spectacular sandy beaches
• Ocean, desert, and mountain recreation
• Sunny and warm climate
• Mexico and Baja, California…25 km south
• Disneyland, Hollywood, and Los Angeles…150 km north

If you are interested in any of our programs and would like to request information, please contact us!

        

Visit the web site of University of San Diego - English Language Academy.