Cover/Signature Page - Abbreviated Template/Abbreviated Template with Curriculum
Institution Submitting Request: Dixie State University
Proposed Title: Certificate of English Proficiency
Currently Approved Title: N/A
School or Division or Location: Dixie State University School of Humanities
Department(s) or Area(s) Location: Humanities Department
Recommended Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) Code1 (for new programs): 13.1401
Current Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) Code (for existing programs): N/A
Proposed Beginning Date (for new programs): 12/12/2015
Institutional Board of Trustees’ Approval Date: MM/DD/YEAR
Proposal Type (check all that apply):
Regents’ General Consent Calendar Items
R401-5 OCHE Review and Recommendation; Approval on General Consent Calendar
SECTION NO.
ITEM
5.1.1
Minor*
5.1.2
Emphasis*
5.2.1
X
(CER P) Certificate of Proficiency*
5.2.3
(GCR) Graduate Certificate*
New Administrative Unit
Administrative Unit Transfer
5.4.1
Administrative Unit Restructure
Administrative Unit Consolidation
5.4.2
Conditional Three-Year Approval for New Centers, Institutes, or Bureaus
New Center
5.4.3
New Institute
New Bureau
5.5.1
Out-of-Service Area Delivery of Programs
Program Transfer
5.5.2
Program Restructure
Program Consolidation
5.5.3
Name Change of Existing Programs
Program Discontinuation
5.5.4
Program Suspension
Reinstatement of Previously Suspended Program
5.5.5
Reinstatement of Previously Suspended Administrative Unit
*Requires “Section V: Program Curriculum” of Abbreviated Template
Chief Academic Officer (or Designee) Signature:
I certify that all required institutional approvals have been obtained prior to submitting this request to the Office of the
Commissioner.
______________________________________
Signature
Date: MM/DD/YEAR
Printed Name: Name of CAO or Designee
1
CIP codes must be recommended by the submitting institution. For CIP code classifications, please see http://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/Default.aspx?y=55.
Program Request - Abbreviated Template
Dixie State University
09/09/2015
Section I: Request
The DSU ESL Program would like to offer two English Proficiency Certificates (Intermediate and Advanced) to
students who have taken and succeeded in our core classes given at each level.
Section II: Need
There are a number of international students who only come to DSU for a few semesters before returning to their
home countries, and they would benefit from having a tangible record of achievement. Obtaining an official certificate
of English proficiency will help these students to apply for jobs or academic programs requiring specific levels of
proficiency in English. In addition to assisting our recruitment efforts in general, a certificate program would also
encourage existing international students to take additional ESL classes (e.g. conversation/speaking courses)
beyond the basic requirements needed to attend regular DSU courses. This could have a strong impact on the
student’s overall success at Dixie and later in the workplace.
There are no similar certificates from university ESL programs offered in Utah, but there are existing English
proficiency certificate programs in other states. UNLV is the closest university which has an English proficiency
certificate program. UNLV offers four levels of certificates: Intermediate, High Intermediate, Advanced, and Academic
Proficiency levels. Students are required to attain 15 credits at 3.2 GPA. North Hennipen Community College
(Minnesota) offers an English language proficiency certificate requiring 22 credits (16 credits from four required
courses and 6 credit hours of electives). Students need to get a C grade or above in all required courses. Both
Berkeley City College and Mt. San Jacinto College (California) have one semester certificates (11-12 required credit
hours) for intermediate and advanced students.
In this proposal, the following courses would be required for an Intermediate English Proficiency Certificate:
Intermediate Speaking (3 credits), Intermediate Academic Communication (3 credits), Intermediate Reading (4
credits), Intermediate Writing (4 credits) and Intermediate Grammar (4 credits) for a total of 18 credits.
The proposed Advanced English Proficiency Certificate would require the following courses: Advanced Speaking (3
credits), Advanced Academic Communication (3 credits), Advanced Reading (4 credits), Advanced Writing (4 credits)
and Advanced Grammar (4 credits) for a total of 18 credits.
To receive the certificate, students would need to pass each class with a B or higher grade. The courses could be
taken in one or more semesters, but all courses must be completed within a two-year period.
Section III: Institutional Impact
The certificate program is expected to have a positive effect on enrollment as it increases the appeal of our program
to international students who are only interested in improving their English, and not necessarily in graduating from an
American university. As the program will primarily affect enrollment of new students, it would have little if any impact
on affiliated departments and programs. As the proposed program is composed entirely of existing courses, no
changes to the curriculum or faculty are needed, nor are any new facilities required.
Section IV: Finances
Some costs for the design and creation of the certificates are anticipated, but this will be done through Dixie State
University facilities to keep costs minimal. No other expenses are anticipated.
As mentioned earlier, the certificate program should make the program more appealing to international students and
thus should bring in more funds to the school.
Section V: Program Curriculum
***THIS SECTION OF THE TEMPLATE REQUIRED FOR EMPHASES, MINORS, AND CERTIFICATES ONLY***
All Program Courses (with New Courses in Bold)
Course Prefix and Number
Title
Credit Hours
Required Courses for
Intermediate Certificate:
ESL 0400
ESL 0411
ESL 1500
ESL 1550
ESL 1560
Intermediate Academic Communication
Academic Speaking 3
Intermediate Reading in English
Intermediate Academic Writing
Intermediate English Grammar
3
3
4
4
4
18
Required Courses for Advanced
Certificate:
ESL 0600
ESL 0611
ESL 2700
ESL 2750
ESL 2760
Advanced Academic Communication
Academic Speaking 4
Advanced Reading in English
Advanced Academic Writing
Advanced English Grammar
3
3
4
4
4
18
Track/Options (if applicable)
NA
Program Schedule
All required courses are offered in the fall and spring semesters. All required courses could be taken in one
semester, or divided among multiple semesters. Some of the courses will be available in the summer, but the actual
courses offered vary according to enrollment and the availability of professors. There is no generally recommended
sequence of courses.