6 Levels
Please refer to our new EAP home page for updated information:
https://international.missouristate.edu/ELI/Academic/
The English Language Institute's English for Academic Purposes (EAP) program is designed to help students improve their English language skills for American university studies. Aligned with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), English for Academic Purposes levels are structured for basic users (A2) through independent users (B2+) of English.
New students take a series of tests during orientation to ensure placement in classes that meet their specific language needs and proficiency levels.
Academically eligible students who plan an undergraduate course of study at Missouri State University should complete Level 5 for direct admission to the University.
Students who want to pursue a master’s degree must complete the Graduate Capstone Level to satisfy English proficiency requirements for most graduate programs at Missouri State University. Students will demonstrate proficiency at the CEFR B2+ level through exams and an integrated skills final project or portfolio. This final assessment piece, requiring students to show mastery of the level’s Student Learning Outcomes, will include components that mirror assignments they will encounter in their graduate coursework upon completing the EAP.
| English for Academic Purposes Level | CEFR Equivalency | General Description |
| English for Academic Purposes 1 | A2 | Basic user elementary |
|---|---|---|
| English for Academic Purposes 2 | A2+ | Basic user elementary high |
| English for Academic Purposes 3 | B1 | Independent user intermediate low |
| English for Academic Purposes 4 | B1+ | Independent user intermediate high |
| English for Academic Purposes 5 | B2 | Independent user upper intermediate low |
| Successful completion of English for Academic Purposes Level 5 satisfies proof of English proficiency for admission to Missouri State University for undergraduate studies. | ||
| English for Academic Purposes Graduate Capstone | B2+ | Independent user upper intermediate high |
| Successful completion of English for Academic Purposes Graduate Capstone satisfies proof of English proficiency for admission to most graduate degree programs at Missouri State University. | ||
5 Sessions
English Language Institute English for Academic Purposes program offers 5 sessions per year: Fall 1 & Fall 2, Spring 1 & Spring 2, and Summer, providing multiple options for arrival times throughout the year. Students who successfully complete all classes in their level may advance a level each session.
8 Weeks
Each session includes 3 days of orientation and placement activities for new students, 6.5 weeks of classroom instruction, and a week of final assessment.
20 Hours
Students in all levels receive classroom instruction for a total of 20 hours per week. The classes focus on developing academic skills in Writing (5hrs/week), Reading (5hrs/week), Listening (5hrs/week), and Speaking (5hrs/week). Grammar instruction and practice are embedded in each of the four skills classes.
Pre-Academic Level
For students who do not place into the English for Academic Purposes program because their English skills are at an A1 level or lower, the English Language Institute offers a Pre-Academic Level. In this program, based on Universal Design of Learning concepts, students advance at their own rate and are given the opportunity at the end of each 8-week session to test into the EAP 6-Level Program. The Pre-Academic Level is open not only to university-bound students, but also to adults who want to learn English for personal or work-related goals.