Improve your English Skills
in the Intensive English (ESL) Program
Pierce College is ranked in
the top 10% of American
community colleges.
P
ierce College is ranked in the top 10 percent of American com-munity colleges. Pierce is a public, two-year institution accredited by the Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges and by the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges. Pierce College offers a two-year associate degree for universitytransfer, as well as professional/technical degrees and certificates. Pierce also has a first-rate Intensive English (ESL) Program and an outstanding High School Completion Program.
During my last year at Pierce, I was accepted to all of
the four-year universities I applied to, including my dream
business school, the Stern School of Business at New York
University. I graduated with top honors from NYU and
received several employment offers from prestigious
companies on Wall Street. My Pierce College education
made it possible.
- Yotsaphon Sangnil – Thailand
Graduate of Pierce College
and New York University
My first classes at Pierce College were
in the Intensive English Program. Because
of the wonderful teachers, all of my classes
were so much fun. I also really liked the
Conversation Partner Program. It was
helpful to meet an American student, to
chat, and it helped me learn English
quickly. Now I feel confident speaking
English.
After the Intensive English Program, I
started my college-level classes. I can easily
understand my teachers, do homework
and research assignments. I have to study
hard, but I’ve gotten high grades in all
my classes.
Beginning to advanced classes Focus on academic English for college success
Balanced, communica-tive training in reading, writing, grammar, conversation and pronunciation
Computer and internet skills
Guaranteed admission to Pierce College (successful program completion required)
Make American friends in the popular
Conversation Partners program
Receive one-on-one help in the Pierce College tutoring center Participate in music and theater
productions
Join the International Club, participate in student government, and play sports Enjoy social events, activities, and exciting trips
PIERCE COLLEGE INTENSIVE ENGLISH (ESL) PROGRAM
Pierce College’s Intensive English (ESL) Program helps you learn English quickly.
Whether your plan is to continue your education in the United States or to return to your home country for further study or a career, the Intensive English Program will help you
reach your goals.
Intensive English (E
SL) Program
Thi Nguyen, Vietnam
– Student in the
Intensive English
Program
Professors have TESOL qualification and international experience
Small classes (average 12 students)
Creative, fun projects and activities Interactive online learning Drama activities, including scriptwriting and filmmaking
20 Hours of
Language Classes
Per Week
Dedicated Teachers
Help You Learn
English Quickly
Have Fun While
Learning English and
American Culture
P
ierce College is well known as a university transfer college. Each year, hundreds of Pierce students transfer to universities in Washington and other states. You can begin most majors at Pierce College. Popular programs include business, engineering, digital design or film, art, and education.THE ASSOCIATE DEGREE FOR UNIVERSITY TRANSFER (2+2=4)
Finish the First Two
Years of a Bachelor’s
Degree
Complete the first two years of studies for a bachelor’s degree. Get a university-quality education at a
government-run school. Pay significantly less than at a university.
Enjoy small classes and personal attention from professors and advisors. The emphasis is on instruction, not research – Pierce professors are dedicated to teaching. More than 50 percent of American students begin their bachelor’s degrees in a community college.
• Lewis-Clark State College • Pacific Lutheran University • Portland State University • State University of New York – Plattsburgh • University of Montana • University of Oregon • University of Washington Tacoma • Washington State University
University Transfer
Pierce College has transfer agreements with other colleges and universities in Washington and other states. These allow you to earn an associate degree (the first two years of a bachelor’s degree) before transferring to a university to finish the final two years of a bachelor’s degree.
Transfer advisors can assist you with every step of the transfer process. Pierce College students have been admitted to universities throughout the U.S.A., including:
Transfer Degrees
• Associate of Arts • Associate in Business • Associate of Science Pierce College also accepts credits from accredited colleges and universities in other countries. The number and type of credits varies from case to case.
Conditional
Admission
Guarantee
When you are admitted to Pierce College, you can also receive a letter of conditional guaranteed admission to one of our partner universities. • Central Washington University
• City University • Concordia University • Evergreen State College • Johnson & Wales University
My journey in the
United States began at Pierce
College. There, I strengthened
my academic skills and
trans-ferred to the University of
Washington-Seattle with a
merit-based scholarship. I
worked as a research assistant
and was honored as an
Outstanding Scholar in
Economics. I graduated
summa cum laude and
entered the Ph.D. program at
Brown University with both a
fellowship and a teaching
assistantship. In 2017, I will
receive my doctorate, thanks
to my great start at Pierce
College.
- Cindy Shen Yang,
PR China
Graduate of Pierce College
• University of Washington Washington State University
• Columbia University • New York University • George Washington University
• Purdue University University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) University of California Irvine University of California Davis University of California San Diego University of Oregon • Carnegie Mellon • Fashion Institute of Technology, New York University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign State University of New York, Stony Brook University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire
• Indiana University Texas Tech University
University T
ransfe
r/
Professional T
echnic
al/
High School Completion
PROFESSIONAL / TECHNICAL
PROGRAMS
THE ASSOCIATE DEGREE FOR
UNIVERSITY TRANSFER
Complete the first two years of studies for a bachelor’s degree in:
Programs from 3 months to 2 years in duration that prepare students for work. Many courses transfer to four-year universities.
Foreign Languages
American Sign Language French Japanese Korean Spanish Geography Geology Health Education/Wellness Health Science pre-dentistry pre-medical pre-nursing pre-occupational therapy pre-pharmacy pre-physical therapy History
Human Services and Substance Abuse Humanities Journalism Law (pre-) Mathematics Microbiology Music Oceanography Philosophy Physical Education Physics Political Science Psychology Social Services/ Mental Health Sociology Anthropology Archaeology Art Astronomy Atmospheric Science Biology Business Accounting Administration Finance Management Chemistry Communications Studies Construction Management Criminal Justice Digital Design Digital Film Drama Economics Education Engineering Aeronautical Bioengineering Chemical Civil Computer Electrical Environmental Industrial Materials Mechanical English Environmental Science Accounting Alcoholism/Drug Abuse Business Customer Service Entrepreneurship Fashion Merchandising Human Resource Management Marketing Retail Management Sales Supervision and Management Business Information Technology Administrative Assistant - General Office - International Business - Integrated Business Tech. - Office Management Administrative Assistant: Medical
Child Nutrition Program Management Computer Network Engineering Computer Systems Administration Construction Management Construction Safety Technician Criminal Justice Dental Hygiene* Diagnostic Health and Fitness Technician Digital Design
Early Childhood Education Health Information and Intergrated Technology Human Services and Substance Abuse Language Interpreter Maintenance Technology Nursing (ADN)*
Social Service/Mental Health Veterinary Technology* * Special admissions requirement
Erim Pala,
– High School Completion
Program Student from Turkey
Dual Credit
International Fast Track Program
The fast way to complete a Washington State high school diploma and earn credits toward a
bachelor’s degree
This program enables students to earn a Washing-ton State high school diploma and, at the same time, earn credits towards their bachelor’s degree. Students in the Pierce College International Fast Track Program follow the course requirements for the Associate (university transfer) Degree; they receive both high school and college/university credit for their classes.
Save time and money! Students in the Interna-tional Fast Track program can start college before they finish high school. They earn a Washington State High School Diploma and transferable university credits at the same time. And, they pay once for classes that count towards a high school diploma and a bachelor’s degree. It takes
approxi-mately two years to complete this program (depending on English proficiency). Students then transfer to a university to complete the last two years of study needed to earn a bachelor’s degree. Eligibility:
1. Students must be at least 16 years of age by the first day of instruction.
2. Students are not eligible for the International Fast Track Program if they have already received a high school diploma in their home country or the U.S.A.
Language requirements: Students whose English is not at college level can start with classes in the Pierce College Intensive English (ESL) Program, and then continue on in the International Fast Track Program. Students who are proficient in English can begin their International Fast Track classes directly if they submit proof of proficiency with their application.
HIGH SCHOOL COMPLETION
I’m very happy with the High School
Completion Program at Pierce College; it is a
very good option for students who want to
finish high school and start their bachelor’s
degree at the same time. The classes are
challenging – but a challenge is good. For
instance, this is the first time I have taken
economics, math and history classes in English
– but that also helps me improve my English.
And it is not that you are on your own – lots
of people will help you, if you just ask. The
teachers are really helpful, especially with
English -- they help me if I don’t understand
every word. There are also really great
academic advisors, and tutors to help me in
the Tutoring Center.
I also like the fact that the program is flexible
– I have a choice in the classes I take in order
to graduate, and this is a whole new
experi-ence for me. With the High School
Comple-tion Program, I can get my high school
diploma and associate degree really quickly
and then move on to university.
Cost / How to Apply / High School Completion
GENERAL APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
Intensive English (ESL)
Quarter
Classes begin*
Classes end
Recommended application deadline
Academic Classes
US$2,750 US$8,250 US$3,164 US$9,492
250 750 300 900
210 630 210 630
1,800 5,400 1,800 5,400
750 2,250 750 2,250
US$5,760 US$17,280 US$6,224 US$18,672
Fall 2013
September 23
December 11
August 15, 2013
Winter 2014
January 6
March 21
November 15, 2013
Spring 2014
March 31
June 13
February 15, 2014
Summer 2014
June 23
August 19
May 15, 2014
Fall 2014
September 22
December 12
August 15, 2014
* Academic tuition and fees are based on 15 credits and vary according to the number of credits taken.** This fee can be waived if you provide proof, in English, of your own health insurance (minimum coverage of US$100,000 per illness or injury) from one of these companies: Marsh, AIU, AIG or Lewer.
*** Students may also choose to live in rented apartments near the college. We do not have dormitories or on-campus housing.
Academic Calendar
Estimated Cost for the 2012 - 2013 School Year
(September 2012 - August 2013)
1. Completed Pierce College International Student Application.
2. Application fee of US$50 (non-refundable). Instructions for credit card payments are on the application. No other payment is required until you register for classes.
3. Bank statement showing sufficient funds to cover all expenses for your first academic year – US$18,672 for academics (university transfer, professional/technical, or high school completion) and US$17,280 for the Intensive English Program. (For only one or two quarters of study, you can show less in available funds. See chart below.)
4. High school transcript (for high school completion applicants) or proof of high school graduation or university/college attendance (for Intensive English and academic program applicants).
5. If you are younger than age 18, you must submit a Liability Release, which is available at
www.pierce.ctc.edu/international/ref/files/liability.pdf. (Note: You must be at least 16 years of age by the first day of classes.)
No TOEFL score is required for the Intensive English Program. Upon successful completion of this program, your admission to Pierce College’s academic programs is guaranteed (if all requirements listed above are also fulfilled).
For direct admission to academic programs, proof of English proficiency is required. You may submit a TOEFL score of 61 (IBT)/173 (CBT)/500 (PBT) or IELTS of 5.5 with no band below 5. For other ways to prove English proficiency, go to www.pierce.ctc.edu/international/engproficiency.
*New students should arrive about one week before classes begin for testing, registration and orientation.