Description of Courses
During their first quarter at Seattle University, students at the beginning of their academic careers are usually expected to take courses in English Grammar (ELCB 860 ), Academic Reading and Writing (ELCB 870 ), Academic Oral Skills (ELCB 880 ), and one additional class based on the recommendation of their advisor. In their second quarter, first-year students are usually required to take Basic Writing (ENGL 1010 ) and two additional courses.
Students who transfer to Seattle University during their subsequent years of study, as well as graduate students, are expected to take courses that advance their strategic vocabulary, grammar and reading (ELCB 800 ), reading and writing (ELCB 900 ), and academic speaking skills (ELCB 910 ) essential for success in their disciplines. Transfer and graduate students with TOEFL scores ranging from 190/520/68 to 210/547/78 (inclusive) are required to take the Academic Vocabulary and Grammar course (ELCB 800 ) before they can enroll in Advanced Academic Writing (ELCB 900 ). The course work for transfer and graduate students concentrates on American academic culture and specific preparation for requirements at Seattle University. Undergraduate business majors and graduate students enrolled in the Albers School of Business attend a supplemental course in conjunction with a five-credit-hour class, BCOM 2800 . These students are required to take Advanced Academic Discourse (ELCB 910 ) during their first quarter at Seattle University and have the option of taking Advanced Academic Writing (ELCB 900 ) in the same or the subsequent quarter.
The Program Schedule
The program is offered during the fall, winter, and spring quarters. Courses are not offered in the summer.
English Proficiency Admission Requirements (Policy 2008-01)
All non-native English speakers whose TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score (or a MELAB/IELTS equivalent) is between 190/520/68 and 233/577/91 (inclusive) are required to take the Placement Essay Test upon their arrival at Seattle University. Results of the Placement Essay Test combined with proficiency scores may require that students be enrolled in the English Language and Culture Bridge Program to ensure their academic success at Seattle University.
Placement Essay Test
The purpose of the Placement Essay Test is to allow students an opportunity to demonstrate the quality of their writing. Placement Essay Tests are evaluated by the university faculty and the staff of the English Language and Culture Bridge Program based on such considerations as language fluency, rhetorical development, logical organization, and sentence structure.
Students whose writing skills require additional improvement need to take courses in the English Language and Culture Bridge Program. If students’ writing in English appears to be in need of substantial work, they may be required to enroll in Academic Reading and Writing (ELCB 870 ) and the CLB section of Basic Writing (ENGL 1010 ). Moderate writing skills, as determined by the essay evaluators, require students to take the Basic Writing course (ENGL 1010 CLB section). On the other hand, students whose writing abilities are deemed sufficient for success in their academic studies do not need to enroll in the program.
Students whose TOEFL scores are 237/580/92 or above are not expected to take the Placement Essay Test or enroll in the Culture and Language Bridge Program. However, they have the option of taking classes in the program.
Academic Progression
In the English Language and Culture Bridge Program, students’ work is evaluated with the goal of preparing non-native speakers for success in their studies at Seattle University. In keeping with this objective, a student must earn a grade of C or better in all ELCB courses required based upon the individual’s TOEFL score and Placement Essay Test. Grades below C are considered to be insufficient for progression and thus must be repeated until a grade of C or better is achieved.
Courses numbered under 1000, which include all courses with the ELCB designation, do not count for credit toward an undergraduate degree. Moreover, grades in these courses do not affect a student’s undergraduate GPA. On the other hand, the ELCB section of Basic Writing, ENGL 1010 , follows the university grading system and a grade of D- or better earns a student five general elective credits toward an undergraduate degree. This course does not, however, satisfy the university core writing requirement.
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