Frequently Asked Questions
If English is not your native language, or if the majority of your education has not been taught in English, you are required to submit proof of your English proficiency as part of your application.
Please review USF's requirements for undergraduate students.
If you are interested in a graduate program, please review the requirements for graduate students and contact their program directly with questions.
College of Arts & Sciences - asgraduate@usfca.edu
School of Education - schoolofeducation@usfca.edu
School of Management - management@usfca.edu
School of Nursing and Health Professions - health@usfca.edu
School of Law - lawadmissions@usfca.edu
The number of AEM courses a student must take depends on their TOEFL, IELTS, or PTEA score when admitted, and the results of the English Placement Test, taken on campus when they arrive. Typically, students take between 4 and 12 units of AEM courses per semester.
Yes, all AEM courses count for elective credit. AEM courses are included in the cumulative GPA, but not in the major GPA.
Students will have two advisors. Undergraduate students who are taking AEM classes are advised by AEM faculty for AEM courses and by advisers in their major for non-AEM courses. An AEM faculty advisor is assigned to newly admitted students after the beginning of each semester and will contact each student during advising period.
An AEM hold is placed on all AEM students to ensure students succeed in their AEM courses. AEM Advisors will provide advising during normal advising period to ensure students either continue to the appropriate next AEM course level or progress to Rhetoric courses.
No. To pass through and/or exit from the AEM program, students must achieve a 'C' grade or better in all required AEM courses.
In exceptional cases, students may “skip” a level; to do so, s/he must demonstrate proficiency equivalent of those completing the level they wish to skip AND have at least an A- in the current class. To demonstrate proficiency, students must complete an application and submit a portfolio of work from the current class. The application and all information regarding the portfolio requirements are available at the AEM office (KA 204). The completed portfolio must be submitted with the application no later than 5 p.m. on the last day of classes. A committee of department professors will read the application and essays and decide whether the student may skip a level. Students will be informed of the decisions by the last day of final examinations week. The committee’s decisions are final.
Yes. To set up an observation, please contact our office at AEM@usfca.edu.