International Programs

American College English (ACE) Program

The American College English Program will serve both to offer instruction in English to beginners and intermediate ESL students and to provide a “bridge” through sheltered college classes to students who are striving to attain a high level of academic proficiency.

Admission to the Chatham University American College English Summer Program does not include admission to the Undergraduate Program for Women at Chatham University. However, ACE students who have obtained advanced competency in English (a minimum TOEFL score of 500 or 173 on the computer-based test) may apply for conditional admission as an undergraduate degree-seeking student at Chatham University through the American College English Program. Students who wish to apply for undergraduate admission but have not achieved the necessary TOEFL score (500 or 173 on the computer-based test) must have their academic qualifications evaluated in advance and agree to continue to take ESL classes if indicated.

Why Chatham?
International students are an important component to the Chatham community. Each year, Chatham hosts many international students from our partner institutions as well as other regions of the world. International students are attracted to Chatham's strong academic programs and close-knit campus environment. Limitless opportunities for intellectual and personal growth are coupled with personal attention from faculty who teach and mentor students. Chatham also offers a variety of cultural activities and community service opportunities which allow you to become immersed in the diverse American culture.

Students who participate in Chatham ACE will
 • obtain fluency in spoken and written English
 • interact daily with American students and instructors
 • understand conversations, lectures, and classroom discussions
 • express themselves clearly in spoken English and in writing
 • read and understand English academic texts
 • become familiar with the academic and social life of a U.S. college

Unique features of Chatham ACE
 • enjoy low student / teacher ratios (around 6:1)
 • participate in off-campus activities
 • guest lectures
 • visits to areas of cultural significance
 • benefit from the personalized, nurturing environment of Chatham
   College
 • gain a strong foundation for continued academic success
 • participate in a faculty led overnight trip – recent trips have
    included Washington, DC and Niagara Falls
• Students live in on campus in either apartments or residence halls.

Chatham ACE classes are non-credit and do not count toward a university degree. ACE students with sufficiently advanced English language skills who wish to take regular Chatham University classes for credit may do so with the permission of the instructor. At the end of each semester, these students will be issued an official university transcript, indicating their grades for these classes in addition to receiving their Certificate of Studies for their non-credit ACE classes. The Chatham University classes may count toward an undergraduate (B.A. or B.S.) degree at Chatham University.

Download the Application Form