As a student in the Extended Accelerator Program:
The Extended Accelerator Program is a three-semester program for students seeking an immersive English-learning experience. The program gives students a firsthand practical and cultural understanding of the USC campus and the city of Columbia through its contextual curriculum.
Students may enter the program in the spring, summer or fall. Upon completion of the program, students progress into year two of their undergraduate education with a full year’s worth of academic credits.
- First-Year Program Length: 3 semesters
- Program Curriculum: Planned – almost all courses include domestic students
- Credits Earned Toward Degrees: 30+
- Progression Requirements: 2.25 GPA*
- Progression Into: Year 2 of degree
*Some academic majors may have a higher GPA requirement for progression.
Semester 1
The International Student in the University: Foundations
English for Academic Purposes A and B
Carolina Core: Oceans and Society or Fundamentals of Art
Carolina Core: Math course
Semester 2
The International Student in the University I
English for Academic Purposes 2 including Grammar in Context and Technology for Academic Purposes
Carolina Core: Lab science course
Carolina Core: Math course
Semester 3
The International Student in the University II
English for Academic Purposes 3
Carolina Core: History course
Carolina Core: Global Citizenship and Multicultural Understanding or Public Communication (choose from three courses)
Major academic track course
- GPA Requirement: 2.5
- One of these scores:
- Minimum TOEFL®: 60 – no subscore below 12
- Minimum IELTS™: 5.0 – no subscore below 4.5
- Minimum iTEP: 3.0 - no subscore below 2.5
Applications with scores below the published minimums are not automatically denied and will still receive consideration from the college.
*Note that colleges may set higher minimums for consideration of admission to certain programs. Please refer to the college’s requirements for additional information.
Important Dates
| Event | Fall 2020 | Spring 2021 | Summer 2021 | Fall 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Application Deadline | July 13, 2020 | December 9, 2020 | April 30, 2021 | July 16, 2021 |
| Payment Deadline | July 29, 2020 | December 24, 2020 | May 13, 2021 | July 29, 2021 |
| Move-in Date | August 12, 2020 | January 5, 2021 | May 25, 2021 | August 11, 2021 |
| Program Start Date | August 13, 2020 | January 6, 2021 | May 26, 2021 | August 12, 2021 |
All dates may be subject to change.
Estimated Costs
| Subject | Cost |
|---|---|
| Tuition* | $37,740 |
| Fees** | $3,237 |
| Health Insurance*** | $2,000 |
| Total | $42,997 |
*Tuition is set by the University Board of Trustees each year and is subject to change.
**Standard fees include visa processing, airport pick-up, tutoring as needed, signature student experiences, academic counseling and support, etc.
***This Health insurance is offered for IAP students only and is not the same as that offered by the University. Students will have access to the university health center.