CESL's Graduate U-Track Pathway Program (levels 8 & 9) at the University of Arizona provides graduate-bound students with advanced-level English courses, which are specifically designed to prepare them for the rigors of graduate-level course work. Many graduate programs also accept CESL's Endorsement.
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Program Details
In addition to their ESL courses, students in the Graduate U-track Pathway sit in on a UA graduate course in their intended field of study (with department approval) and receive support from a CESL instructor.
Full-time students in the Graduate U-Track Pathway are also eligible to apply for CESL's Graduate English Endorsement, which is accepted by most UA graduate departments and UA Graduate College as fulfillment of the English language proficiency requirement in lieu of the TOEFL or IELTS exams. Endorsement is only offered in Fall 2, Spring 2 and Summer sessions (unless it is a student's second session).
Questions?
Contact our admission team
cesl@arizona.edu
Important Dates (Spring I, 2025 session)
- Application deadline: December 7, 2024
- Early-bird (10%) discount deadline: December 7, 2024
- Confirmation form due: December 12, 2024
- Report date: January 7, 2025
- Late tuition fees begin: January 7, 2025 after 5pm
- Application
- Copy of Passport
- Financial Guarantee
- Financial Guarantee Authorization (if applicable)
- A documentation of completion of BA degree or equivalent
- Official English Test Score Report
Graduate University Track Pathway applicants who have not taken courses in CESL's Intensive English Program must provide one of following English test scores.
Recognized English Language Exams
All test scores must be dated within 2 years of your intended enrollment term to be considered valid.
- CEPT Full Academic
- Minimum Score: 90
- Website: CEPT Full Academic
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) Internet-Based Test (iBT)
- Minimum Score: 59
- Website: TOEFL iBT
- Please note that while MyBest scores are currently accepted, if any individual band score is lower than 13 or if any total score is lower than 56 (even if there is a MyBest score above 59), additional testing may be required to confirm eligibility. Fees may apply.
- International English language Testing System (IELTS)
- Minimum Score: 5.5
- Website: IELTS
- Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)
- Minimum Score: B1+ / B2
- Website: Cambridge Assessment
- The curriculum is designed to prepare students with the linguistic and academic skills necessary for success in graduate school.
- Each session is 8-weeks long. Students may spend 1-2 sessions in Graduate U-Track (endorsement is only available in Spring 2, Summer, and Fall 2 sessions for students who are in their first session of U-Track)
- When enrollments are sufficient, an independent Graduate University Track cohort is convened, which includes classes such as Graduate Reading or Graduate Writing (6 hours per week), Graduate Listening/Speaking (5 hours per week), and classes such as Graduate Case Studies or Reading and Writing for Academic Purposes (5 hours per week each; 10 hours total), plus an elective class (1 hour per week).
- In cases where enrollments for Graduate U-Track are not sufficient, the Graduate U-Track will co-convene, in whole or in part, with the Undergraduate U-Track, often with more advanced requirements for the Graduate students. Students sit in on (audit) a for-credit UA general education class (6 class hours per week/5 clock hours), a support class for the credit class (5 hours per week), two additional courses appropriate for academic English preparation (such as advanced speaking/listening course, an advanced writing course, a case studies course, or an advanced reading/vocabulary course) (5 hours each per week; 10 hours per week total), and an elective (1 hour per week)
Find the costs below for a single session lasting eight weeks as well as the financial guarantee requirement.
Application fee (non-refundable) $120
| Session Costs (8 week session) | |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $3460 |
| Student Services Fee | $300 |
| Technology Fee | $230 |
| Mandatory Campus Health Fee | $190 |
| Mandatory Student Health Insurance Fee | $190 |
| Total Payable to CESL | $4370 |
Dependents
If you bring dependents (legal spouse and/or children under 21 years of age) you will need to provide additional evidence of $1,600 per session for a spouse and $500 per session per child.
A financial guarantee is an official bank statement, scholarship offer, which promises to sponsor or pay for a student's academic studies. The amount to be covered includes tuition, fees, books, and the cost of living. If you are submitting a personal bank statement it must have been issued within the last 6 months. Bank statements must be in English. If it is not your personal bank statement you must include the financial guarantee authorization from the account holder.
Financial Guarantee Requirements
- Must be recent, within 6 months of being issued
- Needs to be in English
- Needs to be on official bank letterhead
- Needs to show account balance (not average in the account)
- Date of issuance
- Name of account holder
- Needs to be checking or savings
| Graduate U-Track Financial Guarantee | |
|---|---|
| Total Payable to CESL | $4370 |
| Living Expenses (living, transportation, food, etc.) | $4363 |
| Total Needed for Financial Guarantee | $8733 |
What do I need to enter the Graduate University Track Pathway (Grad U-Track Pathway)?
You need to have a qualifying TOEFL or IELTS score. See the CESL Placement Table for more information.
Will I take university classes?
As a Grad U-Track Pathway student, you will have the opportunity to observe a course in your intended major as part of CESL’s University Seminar class. Though you will not receive university credit for classes attended, this is a good way to see what graduate courses in the US are like, as well as to establish relationships with professors.
How long is each level?
8 weeks
How long will it take to finish my U-Track Pathway studies?
CESL recommends students study in the program for 2 sessions (1 semester).
How do I enter UA from the Grad U-Track Pathway?
Students who perform well in the Grad U-Track Pathway can receive CESL’s English Language Endorsement. This replaces the TOEFL or IELTS and is accepted by most graduate programs at UA.
Can I use CESL’s endorsement at another university?
CESL’s English Language Endorsement is for UA admission only. Contact CESL if you would like to find out more about graduate endorsement.
Do you offer scholarships or financial aid to help with tuition?
Unfortunately, we do not offer any kind of scholarship or financial aid for our programs. Students may seek private sponsorship from their governments or other organizations.
What are the steps to apply for the F-1 Student Visa?
- Apply to the CESL Program
- When you are admitted to the CESL program, you will receive your I-20
- Pay your SEVIS fee
- Complete your visa application
- Schedule and attend your visa interview