Intensive English Program (IEP) classes are now being taught 100% in-person Monday through Thursday. IEP classes are taught in-person at our main Ocean Campus only.

About the Intensive English Program (IEP)

San Francisco is an international city where English has been taught for over 100 years. City College of San Francisco's highly trained and dedicated instructors are greatly respected and widely known for their excellence in teaching. All have advanced degrees, and many have taught and studied internationally.

The Institute for International Students, which was founded over 25 years ago, is an Intensive English Program (IEP) that offers an academic-focused English program for students who have not yet achieved 483 on the Institutional TOEFL score, 56 on iBT, 5.5 on IELTS, or 85 on Duolingo. The language program prepares students to become effective, confident speakers of English in academic institutions and professional settings as well as in everyday life. The IEP coordinator, student advisor, and staff are always ready to assist students in reaching their goals.

Students are tested at the beginning of each session, counseled, and placed in the level most appropriate to their needs. The program entails twenty hours per week of intensive instruction focusing on reading/writing, grammar, listening/speaking, and academic skills.

The Intensive English Program is also designed to prepare students for the undergraduate (Academic Program) at City College of San Francisco. Students of this program who reach the required TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo score are given priority consideration for admission into the Academic Program. The IEP will assist with the smooth transfer to this program.


Dates and Fees

Spring 2024

Full semester course (18 weeks)

  • Date: Jan. 16, 2024 - May 21, 2024
  • Time: Monday - Thursday, 11:00am - 4:00pm
  • Tuition and fees: $3,015 total

Half Semester Courses (9 weeks)

  • Date: Jan. 16, 2024 - Mar. 14, 2024 or Mar. 18, 2024 - May 21, 2024
  • Time: Monday - Thursday, 11:00am - 4:00pm
  • Tuition and fees: $1,615 total

Fall 2024

Full semester course (18 weeks)

  • Date:  Aug. 19, 2024 - Dec. 17, 2024
  • Time: Monday - Thursday, 11:00am - 4:00pm
  • Tuition and fees: $3,015 total

Half Semester Courses (9 weeks)

  • Date: Aug. 19, 2024 - Oct. 16, 2024 or Oct. 17, 2024 - Dec. 17, 2024
  • Time: Monday - Thursday, 11:00am - 4:00pm
  • Tuition and fees: $1,615 total

The above total cost includes the $20 health service fee for Spring/Fall semester courses ($16 health service fee for Summer).

Additional Cost (not included in totals above): Students under F-1 status are required to purchase the mandatory F-1 Health Insurance. For more information on this requirement, Click Here 

NOTES REGARDING IEP TUITION PAYMENTS:

A few weeks after being admitted, we will send you an email with information on how to pay your IEP tuition and other important steps.

Tuition payment is due in one full payment before the first day of IEP classes. No payment plans are offered.

We cannot accept cash or personal checks. A cashier's check, non-U.S. credit card (paid through Flywire), U.S. Credit/Debit (VISA, MASTERCARD only, paid through a CCSF Payment Form), or money order is required.

Cashier's checks should be made out to City College of San Francisco. An extra $25 will be charged for all returned payments. An activity fee will be collected on the first day of school. Please do not include this fee with your payment. 

There is no refund after the first week of class.


Deadline to Apply

  • Out-of-country applicants: 8 weeks before the start of the program
  • In-country, transfer applicants: 2 weeks before the start of the program

Steps to Apply

Step 1
Pay the required non-refundable $50 application fee on https://www.flywire.com/pay/ccsf and save the receipt. You will be required to upload the receipt in the online application (see Step 2 below). If you experience any issues with this payment method, please email international@ccsf.edu 

Step 2
Submit an online application for the Intensive English Program (IEP) (click here)In the online application, please upload all the required documents (see "Required Documents" sections below) including your payment receipt for the $50 application fee. 

Step 3
Wait up to 4 weeks for our office to review your application, payment and documents. We will email you once our review is complete. You may be required to submit additional information and/or documents. 

If you are admitted, you will be required to go through the Intensive English Program (IEP) orientation. You will receive a detailed email about this shortly after being admitted. 


Required Documents

  • Payment receipt for the $50 application fee (Not refundable) - https://www.flywire.com/pay/ccsf (if you experience any issues with this payment method, please email international@ccsf.edu
  • Copy of your valid Passport (biographic page only)
  • Financial Support Form
    • Completed and signed OIP's Financial Support Form (click here to download the form). Please note that the name(s) provided on this form must match exactly the name(s) of the account holder(s) as they appear on the bank statement or bank letter submitted.
  • Official Bank Statement or Bank Letter with a minimum balance of $32,000 USD or equivalent in other currencies
    • Bank Statement or Bank Letters must clearly show full name(s) of account holder(s)
    • Must be dated within the last 6 months
    • For accounts outside of the United States, the bank statement/letter must be signed or stamped by a bank official
    • Must list at least $32,000 US Dollars in cash (liquid assets), or equivalent to this amount in other currency (currency must be listed)
    • Must be in English or officially translated into English by a certified translation company with legal interpreter’s stamp (you must then submit a copy of both the original language version AND the English translation of it)
    • Please do not submit multiple pages of transactions. A simple 1-2 page bank statement or bank letter is fine.
    • Screenshots of documents will not be accepted.
    • Note: The account holder name(s) on the bank statement or bank letter submitted must match the name(s) provided on the Financial Support Form.
  • Additional documents for certain applicants only:
    • Transfer-in applicants: F-1 visa copy, most recent I-94, and copies of all previous I-20 Forms.
    • Change-of-status applicants: Copy of current U.S. visa page and most recent I-94 (Click here for the I-94 website)Applicants currently under a J-1 visa must also submit a copy of their valid Form DS-2019.
    • Students under the age of 18: Copy of high school diploma (for Conditional Admission applicants only) and completed Legal Guardian Consent Form (Click here)
      • Legal Guardian must be 21 years or older, live in the San Francisco Bay Area and must provide a copy of their U.S. legal photo I.D. or passport.
    • Students who obtained a degree in the U.S.: Personal statement (1-2 pages), explaining why you would like to study at CCSF and your academic goals in the U.S.