International Year One in American University Washington

Quick overview:

• Age of participants: from 17 years;
• Duration: 2 or 3 semesters (9 or 12 months);
• Classes start: January, August;
• Language level:
  • Academic Program: IELTS 6.0 (not less than 5.5) / TOEFL 74 / Pearson 50;
  • Extended Program: IELTS 5.5 (not less than 5.0) / TOEFL 68 / Pearson 46.
• Level of education: completed secondary school;
• Language of instruction: English.

About the educational program: Every year, tens of thousands of students from different countries of the world enter the US higher educational institutions, and all of them face certain difficulties related to the language barrier, a new style and methods of teaching and a new society for themselves. To resolve these difficulties, a special International Year One (or Academic Accelerator) curriculum for academic students, including academic subjects, English classes, adaptation and active support, is being implemented at many universities, including American University Washington. In total, there are 2 types of eduaction, the desired one is chosen based on language proficiency and academic indicators (if necessary, you can increase the level in special classes):

• Academic Accelerator Program (AAP)) (2 semesters);
• Extended Accelerator Program (EAP) (3 semesters).

Each contains 3 directions, international students choose one of them:

• Humanities and Social Sciences;
• Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and Information Sciences;
• Business and Finance.

Main advantages:

• Flexible educational plan;
• Сomprehensive support;
• Small educational groups;
• American cultural experience;
• Open and closed classes. 

For all without exception, special seminars "Live, learn, grow," are a kind of "core" for the personal and academic growth of first-year students. Seminars include:

• Adaptation to the university life style;
• Acquiring orientation skills in campus opportunities;
• Maintaining Academic Performance;
• Development of interethnic and intercultural understanding;
• Promotion of personal and professional growth;
• Promotion of healthy lifestyles;
• Development of employment and career skills.

Each type of program includes a set of disciplines in the direction. In addition, English is actively studied, including the skills for university teaching and the correct use of terms in written and spoken language. All students earn a certain number of credits. Upon completion, students move to the third or fourth semester of the chosen specialty.

Types of education and an approximate curriculum:

Academic course (AAP)): 2-semester plan for applicants with a good level of knowledge, but wanting to get additional support. Includes a balance of university and special classes, intensive support in English. Open and closed lectures are supported; the curriculum is made taking into account the needs of the student.

Disciplines (an example for the direction "Business"):

• Seminars "To live, learn, grow" (1 and 2 level);
• Written speech for college (lectures and seminars);
• Intercultural interaction and mutual understanding;
• Culture of Higher Education in the USA;
• Macroeconomics;
• Applied Computing;
• Microeconomics;
• Introduction to Business Statistics;
• Experience of studio art;
• Nature of the Earth.

Advanced course (EAP): 3-semester education for applicants who need extended language support. Includes fundamental support in language and disciplines, a large number of adaptive activities, intensive English classes and individualized assistance.

Disciplines (approximate plan for the direction of "Science"):

• Seminars "To live, learn, grow" (level 1, 2 and 3);
• English for Academic Purposes;
• American University in the World;
• Media and Culture;
• Mathematics;
• Academic writing;
• Higher Education System in the USA;
• Intercultural interaction;
• General chemistry (1 and 2);
• Pre-Calculations;
• Letter for the college;
• Calculations;
• Principles of physics.