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The American Culture and English Studies (ACES) Program is a comprehensive English as a Second Language (ESL) program with year round intensive language instruction and cultural immersion. The program is designed to prepare students to enroll in a degree program, enter a competitive job market, or simply improve their listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. In our Intensive English Program, full-time students study for 23 hours a week and must enroll for a minimum of four weeks. Classes are kept to an average of 10 students to ensure students receive a lot of personal attention. In addition to classroom learning, a college campus provides a total immersion experience; ESL students can interact with American students, live in the residence halls, participate in clubs, sports, campus activities and explore NYC.  Felician's ACES program also offers short term camps and programs, in addition to the traditional IEP program.

ACES Programs

Intensive English Program

Year round and intensive, students are challenged to progress quickly by studying for 23 hours a week. The Intensive English Program offers five, 12 week levels from beginner to college bridge. Non F-1 students may also choose to study our Intensive English Program part time, if your schedule does not permit the full course of study.

Program Highlights

  • 23 hours of English instruction per week
  • Small class size
  • Classes in reading, writing, conversation and grammar
  • Elective classes such as US Culture, Film, Vocabulary, and Pronunciation
  • Five levels of instruction; 12 weeks per level
  • TOEFL preparation
  • Placement exam upon arrival
  • Cultural activities including trips to New York City and Philadelphia
  • Customizable programs
  • Scholarships for undergraduate study
  • Conditional Admission
  • On campus housing with other American and international students

Part-Time Intensive English Program

Non F-1 students have the option to study in our ESL program on a part-time schedule.  Part-time students can choose to study between 1 to 3 English core courses and/or 3 hours of elective courses at their appropriate English level.  Students who are part-time can only study less than 18 hours per week.  Costs for this program can be found under ACES Tuition & Fees.

Summer Camps for High School Students

High school students spend two weeks learning English in a fun and relaxed environment by combining language classes with cultural activities, trips and games.   Summer high school programs are offered in July and participants must be between the ages of 14 and 18. Students receive three hours of English instruction in the morning and enjoy cultural programming in the afternoons and on weekends. Trips and activities may include visits to the Statue of Liberty, Central Park, Broadway, Philadelphia, amusement parks, arcades, shopping centers, and much more.     

The 2013 High School Summer Camp will occur from July 21 - August 3, 2013.  The cost is $2400 per student, which includes English instruction, all activities, Newark airport pick up, on-campus accommodation, and most meals.  If interested, please email oip@felician.edu.  All applications are due by May 15, 2013.

Short-Term University Programs

University students on winter or summer break can participate in an ACES four-week intensive English program.  This program is designed to combine English instruction and cultural activities in one complete package.  The Winter Program generally occurs in January/February and activities include ski trips, hockey games, ice skating and camp fires.   

The Summer program for 2013 will occur from July 7 - August 3.  Activities will include Broadway show, Statue of Liberty, Woodbury Common outlet shopping, Six Flags Amusement Park, & a day trip to Philadelphia or Amish Country.  If interested, please write to oip@felician.edu to find out more!

Customized Programs

Schools and universities can work with ACES to design customized programs for groups of students.   Past programs have been designed to meet the needs of students with a variety of goals by combining English instruction, college level content classes and cultural activities.  Feel free to contact the Office of International Programs for more information. 

Sitting in on College Classes

Felician College also offers the opportunity for advanced ESL students to participate in college-level classes on an audit basis for an additional cost. These classes are not taken for credit, but for the challenge and experience of participating as a member of a true college level course. Students can audit classes in almost any subject including art, history, computer science, music, philosophy, sociology, global peace and justice, political science, communications, and more.

Conditional Admission to Degree Programs

Successful completion of Felician's ACES program (including passing an internally administered proficiency test) will allow students to enter our degree programs without taking the TOEFL or IELTS. Students who have not taken the TOEFL/IELTS or with low scores can be admitted to a degree program with this conditionally admit status.

Scholarships for College

The ACES Alumni Scholarship is awarded to outstanding students who complete all five levels of the ACES Program and would like to attend an undergraduate program at Felician College.  Students who qualify can receive a minimum of $5,000 to put towards Felician College tuition and fees for any of our undergraduate programs. Programs include nursing, education, communications, English, criminal justice, computer information systems, biology, and many more.  Unsure if you would like to continue at Felician?  Students in the upper levels of the ACES program can take undergraduate classes at an additional fee for an extra challenge.