English and Academic Preparation – Grad Track
English and Academic Preparation: This certificate course is designed to help both domestic and international students communicate more effectively in spoken and written contexts, read and comprehend scholarly texts, and take notes more efficiently.
About this Course
The English and Academic Preparation – Grad Track non-credit course is for students who wish to strengthen their academic skills in preparation for graduate studies. Ideally, prospective students have completed or are near completion of a bachelor’s degree and would like to study for a master’s or doctorate degree in the United States.
The total length of time required to complete the course is approximately 4 weeks. Students should expect to spend about 3-4 hours per week working with the materials and assignments.
The course is made up of 4 modules:
- Listening, Speaking, and Critical Thinking
- Writer’s Workshop
- Reading and Note-taking
- Capstone Project
Each module consists of video lessons, opportunities for practicing English and academic skills, interactive discussion boards with classmates, and graded activities. The course is asynchronous, which means that the lessons and their activities can be completed at any time of day or night.
What You Will Learn
- Academic English language skills to communicate effectively in spoken and written contexts
- Strategies to read academic materials and take notes more efficiently
- Guidelines for common assignments in graduate courses such as academic presentations and critical reviews of a scholarly text
Skills You Will Gain
- Academic Writing
- Speed Reading
- English Language
- Presentation
- Note Taking
Syllabus
WEEK 1
7 hours to complete
English and Academic Preparation: Listening, Speaking and Critical Thinking
In this module, we will learn some skills necessary for listening to and speaking about academic topics at the graduate level.
5 videos (Total 28 min), 5 readings, 7 quizzes
WEEK 2
7 hours to complete
English and Academic Preparation: Writer’s Workshop
In this module, we will learn some skills necessary for writing about academic topics at the graduate level.
4 videos (Total 22 min), 8 readings, 8 quizzes
WEEK 3
8 hours to complete
English and Academic Preparation: Reading and Note-taking
In this module, we will learn some skills necessary for reading and note-taking about academic topics at the graduate level.
4 videos (Total 16 min), 7 readings, 8 quizzes
WEEK 4
4 hours to complete
English and Academic Preparation: Capstone
The Grad-Track capstone project is the final module of the English and Academic Preparation Program. In this module, you will not learn new information as you did in the previous modules, but rather apply the knowledge and skills you learned from the other modules in this academic certificate in order to complete a series of tasks. The word “capstone” was historically used to signify the completion of a building.
The capstone was considered the most important and last stone placed on a newly constructed building. In keeping with this tradition, your successful capstone project signifies you have completed the certificate program and earned a crowning achievement.
2 videos (Total 11 min), 2 readings, 3 quizzes
