English Preparedness

The English Preparedness Program exists to prepare students from multilingual backgrounds at Lindenwood University with the language proficiency, academic skills, and cultural knowledge needed to meet the challenges and rigor of university coursework and responsibilities.

In addition to meeting admission requirements established by University Admissions, all new international students undergo on-site English language evaluation to assess classroom readiness and to assure appropriate placement in English composition classes. Based on the English language evaluation scores, a student may (1) enter directly into General Education courses, (2) enroll in a combination of six EPP credit hours and a minimum of six General Education credit hours, or (3) enroll in a combination of nine EPP credit hours and three General Education credit hours.

These students’ schedules are not confirmed until they have taken the English language placement exam, and they will be enrolled in a placeholder (PPT 10000 Pending Placement Testing – English) until the exam has been completed and evaluated. Students arriving after the placement exam has been administered should be referred to EPP faculty for information regarding immediate placement testing.

Placement into English composition courses depends on students’ placement test scores, writing samples, language background, and previous experience at institutions of higher education in the United States. Students whose placement exam scores indicate a beginning or intermediate English proficiency will be placed in the appropriate EPP courses. All students who are enrolled in EPP courses will be co-advised by EPP faculty and a professional advisor until they are prepared to be assigned to a content-area advisor.

Students whose placement exam scores indicate advanced language proficiency will be placed in General Education or other introductory content courses but may still be recommended for placement in EPP 11000 or EPP 15000 if their placement exam scores indicate that they would benefit from English courses with attention to multilingual and international student experiences. Students whose English proficiency is assessed to be native-like will be recommended for placement in ENGL 15000.

Students who place into EPP courses progress through the EPP curriculum based on exit exam scores, portfolio reviews, and/or instructor recommendations.

See the course descriptions section of this catalog for a complete description of the EPP courses listed below.

EPP 10100, EPP 10500, EPP 10600, EPP 12000, and EPP 12500.
These courses count toward the student’s 120 credit hour requirement for graduation but do not fulfill general education requirements.

EPP 11000
Based on English placement scores, this course may be required prior to EPP 15000 or ENGL 15000. This course counts toward the student’s 120 credit hour requirement for graduation but does not fulfill the Composition I (ENGL 15000) general education requirement and is counted as an elective.

EPP 15000
Equivalent to ENGL 15000, with attention to multilingual and international student experiences. This course counts toward the student’s 120 credit hour requirement for graduation and fulfills the General Education Composition I (ENGL 15000) requirement. This course is equivalent to (not a prerequisite for) ENGL 15000 and gives attention to multilingual and international student experiences. Students receiving a C or better in this course are eligible to take ENGL 17000.

The program also offers English preparedness instruction for non-F1 undergraduate students who use English as an additional language.