Graduate Student English Proficiency Courses

The Ohio Program of Intensive English provides varying levels of instruction and support to graduate students at Ohio University.

  • Non-native speakers of English who do not have sufficient test scores may apply for English Provisional admission. English Provisional admission is a combination of admission to the Ohio Program of Intensive English (OPIE) and future admission to a graduate degree-seeking program.

Graduate students apply directly to the program they are interested in, and minimum TOEFL and IELTS scores apply for admission.

How to Apply to Graduate Programs at Ohio University

Non-native speakers of English must submit official results of one of two standardized tests: the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), as part of the application packet.

How to Apply to Ohio University Graduate Programs

Note: Graduate students can only meet their English Proficiency requirements to begin academic studies on the basis of test scores; OPIE grades may not be used for this purpose. TOEFL ITP with Composition Test, TOEFL iBT, and IELTS test scores are all accepted. To complete your language proficiency requirements and to be unconditionally admitted as a graduate student, you must meet the requirements of your academic department.

How to Apply as English Provisional

If you are admitted as English Provisional, you will enroll in English language courses through the Ohio Program of Intensive English (OPIE) upon your arrival at Ohio University. You will have up to two years to achieve an English proficiency score of at least 525 TOEFL (or as specified by the graduate degree program). Students admitted under English Provisional status are not eligible to register for graduate courses or apply for any type of graduate appointment (such as a tuition waiver and/or stipend) until full admission status has been achieved.

To apply for English Provisional admission: Indicate English Provisional Admission on your application in the Testing section, and submit all application materials except the TOEFL as outlined in the application instructions.

Graduate Student Placement Testing

See OPIE English Placement Testing for information about the Institutional TOEFL (ITP) at Composition Test at Ohio University.

Teaching Assistants Oral Proficiency Assessments

Oral Proficiency Assessment for Teaching Assistants

Graduate Course Offerings

OPIE 5715D Oral Communication in University Classes

The goal of this course is to improve students' oral communication skills in English for success in the U.S. academic community. Students explore aspects of language, the U.S. academic culture, and strategies for effective discussion and presentation. Students will have the opportunity to learn and practice the individual sounds, rhythm, intonation, and stress associated with spontaneous and planned spoken English. Students learn about the expectations for oral communication, including group discussion, teamwork and formal presentations in the context of the American university classroom. Students learn about and practice appropriate ways to agree, disagree, interrupt, critique, offer alternative perspectives or suggestions and facilitate both group discussions and team decision-making.

For more information, contact Rebecca Challenger.

OPIE 5806D Techniques for Gathering and Evaluating Research Information and for Research Writing

The goal of this course is to provide international students with basic and, in some cases, advanced, level information gathering and evaluating skills while at the same time improving their English language ability. Students will incorporate source material into their academic writing and will practice citing their sources. They will also become familiar with the basics of qualitative and quantitative research and carry out a small-scale research project.

For more information, contact Aaron Schwartz.