Graduate Students

Courses for Graduate students are designed to advance skills in communication for research and professional purposes.

Courses

Core courses at the English Language Center Academic English Graduate Track include:

Fall and spring: 5 hours/week
Summer in-person: 10 hours/week
Summer online 6 hrs/wk + independent work

The goal for this course is for students to recognize and produce the language necessary for both reading and writing theses, research papers, and academic articles. Students read to analyze the language used to build and organize academic argument. Students write analyses and literature reviews to rehearse and apply linguistic and rhetorical strategies with attention to clear form and meaning relationships.

Fall and spring: 6 hours/week
Summer in-person: 10 hours/week
Summer online 6 hrs/wk + independent work

Students will improve their speaking skills to lead and participate in class discussions focused on specific readings, to describe a topic, define key terms, present research or an argument and ask and answer questions leading to fuller understanding of the topic under discussion and related readings.  Note: ELCA-026: Academic Speaking and Listening may be offered as a substitute for this course during certain semesters.

Fall and spring: 5 hours/week 
Summer in-person: 10 hours/week
Summer online 6 hrs/wk + independent work

Academic Language Analysis and Accuracy is designed for international students with an advanced level of English proficiency. The course presents a review of grammar topics and writing strategies to enhance students’ grammar, writing, and meta-cognitive skills.  The course prepares students for college level work in their academic classes.

Fall and spring in-person only: 3 hours/week plus out of class meetings

Students practice interactional communication.  Students participate in guided conversations with classroom conversation assistants and conversation partners.  Students also select an engagement project in an area of personal interest.

Summer Study Option

Three core graduate courses (ELCA-090, ELCA-091 and ELCA-093) are offered in the summer in both online and in-person.

Learn more about Summer Study at the English Language Center

Graduate Admissions Requirements

Many RIT graduate programs have English language requirements which are higher than RIT minimum requirements. Graduate programs may also require specific scores in each TOEFL/IELTS or PTE exam section (writing, speaking, writing and listening). Graduate programs may set additional requirements based on student performance.

If you are not yet admitted to RIT and have questions about graduate enrollment, please visit the RIT Graduate Admissions website.

Placement and Testing

Most new RIT Graduate students with English requirements typically take 1-3 courses of English in combination with degree study at the top ELC level, Academic English.

Students are placed into specific courses based on TOEFL, IELTS, DET or PTE-A scores and each individual exam sub-score in reading, writing, speaking and listening. Even if the overall score meets the program admission guideline, a student may still be required to take English coursework based on sub-scores.

Some graduate students may be placed in full-time English levels. You may also take the RIT English Language Exam if you’d like a chance to change your placement.

Dates and Costs

New graduate students complete English language courses during their first term or terms at RIT. Students may start in the fall, or complete English course early in the spring or summer term. Graduate students with part-time English courses (3 or fewer courses) will pay English language course fees by the course and RIT courses by the credit hour (see RIT part-time graduate tuition fees).

Fall 2025 Dates

  • Deadline to register for the RIT English Language Exam: August 1, 2025.  This exam is not required if you have TOEFL or IELTS scores.
  • Deadline to submit any new IELTS or TOEFL scores:  August 8, 2025.  No new scores are considered after this date.  
  • Orientation: August 22, 2025
  • Classes begin: August 25, 2025
  • Classes end: April 28, 2025  
     

Spring 2026 Dates

  • Deadline to register for the RIT English Language Exam: November 21, 2025.  This exam is not required if you have TOEFL, IELTS, DET or PTE-A scores.
  • Deadline to submit any new scores: January 2, 2026.  No new scores are considered after this date.  
  • Orientation: January 9, 2026
  • Classes begin: January 12, 2026
  • Classes end: April 27, 2026
     

Full-time English study expenses per term (2025-2026)

Full-time English language program tuition: $8,736
Housing and meals: $8,375 est.
Health Center fee: $300 est.
Health insurance: $1,916 est.
Books and materials: $350 est.

Graduate Study with Supplemental English study expenses per term

One ELC course: $2,184
Two ELC courses: $4,368
Three ELC courses: $6,553
RIT graduate degree program courses: $2,574 by the credit.
Most graduate courses are 3 credits each.
$7,722
Housing and meals: $8,375 est.
Health Center fee: $300 est.
Health insurance: $1,916 est.
Books and materials: $350 est.

Note: F-1 and J-1 visa graduate students must maintain the equivalent of 9 credit hours per term as defined by RIT. Please contact ritelc@rit.edu if you have specific questions about your situation.

All admitted graduate students with English requirements are considered full-time students at RIT. The program meets requirements for US F and J study visas. See the ELC Handbook for more information on status requirements.

English Language Center courses are zero-credit at RIT.

All English Language Center courses and course grades appear on official RIT transcripts.