Intensive English Program at Cal State Long Beach Receives 5-Year Accreditation

The Intensive English Program at California State University, Long Beach’s American Language Institute (ALI) has been granted accreditation from 2002-07 by the Commission on English Language Program Accreditation, an accrediting body composed of members of the major associations in the field and recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Offered through University College and Extension Services, the Cal State Long Beach program is the first in California to be accredited and the 34th accredited program nationally.

“The American Language Institute is justifiably proud of its public recognition as a quality program that promotes excellence in language instruction and administration,” said ALI Director Debra Jonas.

In order to be accredited, the institute had to complete a self-study report that examined 52 standards in 10 different standard areas and have a site visit by English Language Program experts from other campuses. Among the areas covered were curriculum, faculty, administrative and fiscal capacity, student services and student achievement. The report, which was planned and supervised by Nina Ito, the ALI assistant academic coordinator, took more than a year to complete.

The reviewers spent three days on campus observing classes, interviewing faculty and students, reviewing documents and files pertaining to the program and speaking with staff and administrators.

Students from more than 50 countries in Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe and the Middle East have participated in the program at CSULB since its inception in 1984. Currently, about 150 international students are enrolled in ALI, many of whom plan to continue their studies in degree programs at CSULB.