TIEC Study Year in Texas is designed to give students a unique academic experience and view of Texas and the United States. The two-part program begins with intensive English-language study at the Texas Intensive English Program (TIEP) in Austin, the capital of the state, and continues at one of seven Texas universities.

Each part of the program lasts four to six months, providing a full-year American academic experience.

This program offers international students a broad range of options, including academic programs, sizes of schools, and locations across Texas.

Quick Links:

• Admission Requirements
  • Educational background of international students
• Enrollment in the Texas Intensive English Program (TIEP)
  • Intensive English Training and Cultural Orientation
  • Visa Requirements
  • Length of Program
  • TIEP entry months
• Enrollment in a Texas University
  • Participating Universities
  • Advantages These Universities Offer
  • Selecting a University
  • Selecting Courses
  • Academic Credit
  • Tuition and Fees
  • Health insurance
  • University entry months

Admission Requirements

Educational background of international students

• Non-native speaker of English
• Current undergraduate student who has completed at least one year of college-level coursework, or a college or university graduate
• University or college grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.3 (out of 4.0)
• Internet-based TOEFL score of at least 55 (480 paper-based TOEFL)

Enrollment in the Texas Intensive English Program (TIEP)

Intensive English Training and Cultural Orientation

• Intensive English for Academic Purposes
  • English-language training and familiarization with the American higher education system, 20 hours per week.
• Academic Advising and Orientation
  • Ongoing counseling and support throughout the program.
• Enrichment Activities
  • Excursions to historic and cultural locations and participation in local cultural events.
• Optional Community Service
  • Part-time volunteer opportunities with non-profit organizations in Austin.

Visa Requirements

TIEC Study Year in Texas Students study on F-1 student visas. The I-20 form required for the visa application is issued by TIEP initially and by the universities upon transfer to their campuses.

Length of Program

Four to six months, determined by the student’s initial level of English proficiency and subsequent progress.

TIEP entry months

January, March, and August

Enrollment in a Texas University

TIEC Study Year in Texas students transfer from TIEP to an accredited participating university in Texas where they enroll as non-degree students. Transfer takes place after students have fulfilled the English-language requirement of the institution to which they are transferring. Most of the universities participating in the program will waive the official TOEFL score for advanced-level TIEP students.

Participating Universities

• Lamar University
• Sam Houston State University
• Stephen F. Austin University
• Tarleton State University
• Texas A&M International University
• Texas Tech University
• The University of Texas of the Permian Basin

Advantages These Universities Offer

• An American college life with campus involvement and a sense of belonging to a campus community
• Full access to excellent student facilities including dormitories/residence halls, cafeterias, health services, student unions, libraries, computer laboratories, gymnasiums, swimming pools, and sports arenas.
• Large selection of majors and courses
• Low percentage of international students on the campus and in the community
• Classes taught by professors rather than teaching assistants
• Small classes, low student/teacher ratio
• Individualized attention
• Location in cities with unique American and Texas character, and a low cost of living

Academic Credit

• Participants enroll full-time in undergraduate degree-level courses without enrolling in a full degree program.
• Students earn academic credit for their coursework and receive official university transcripts.
• Subject to the discretion of universities in their home countries, students may be able to use the credits they earn in the U.S. toward completion of their degrees at their home institutions.
• It is not be possible for students to earn an undergraduate degree in the United States on this program.

Selecting a University

• TIEC academic advisers assist students with selecting universities that match the students’ interests.
• TIEC advisers also assist students with application, transfer, and orientation to the university or college. TIEC advisors maintain ongoing communication with students during their university-study period in Texas.
• International student advisers at the universities provide support for students on-site.

Selecting Courses

• Students choose from a variety of undergraduate courses taken with American students.
• Specific courses available to them depend on the university and course prerequisites.
• To comply with F-1 visa regulations, students enroll for a minimum of 12 credit hours per semester.

Tuition and Fees

• Students pay State of Texas non-resident tuition and fees directly to the university they are attending.
• The average non-resident tuition and fees at participating universities for 15 semester credit hours for 2008-2009 is $7,600.
• Students may be eligible to work up to 20 hours per week on campus.

Health insurance

Students must either provide proof of medical insurance coverage or purchase a plan through TIEP or through the university.

University entry months

January, June, and August

 

For more information on TIEC Study Year in Texas, e-mail us at info@tiec.org