Accreditation and Standards
The Language and Culture Institute supports the efforts of EducationUSA, a network of more than 425 international student advising centers in over 175 countries promoting study at U.S. colleges and universities. EducationUSA is a part of the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.
Accreditation and Affiliations
Accreditation assures program quality through regular, independent review of all aspects of school academics and administration, including such critical areas as mission, curriculum, faculty, facilities and equipment, and student services.
The institute actively supports professional development within the fields of international education and English language teaching. Instructors hold membership in NAFSA: Association of International Educators, an organization promoting international education in the United States. NAFSA serves international educators and their institutions and organizations by establishing principles of good practice, providing training and professional development opportunities, providing networking opportunities, and advocating for international education.
The Intensive English Program, part of the Virginia Tech Language and Culture Institute (LCI), is accredited by the Commission on English Language Program Accreditation (CEA) and agrees to uphold the CEA Standards for English Language Programs and Institutions.
CEA is recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education as a national accrediting agency. For further information about this accreditation, please contact the Commission on English Language Program Accreditation, 1001 N. Fairfax St., Suite 630, Alexandria, VA 22314, 703-665-3400, www.cea-accredit.org.
The LCI's Intensive English Program is a member of EnglishUSA (formerly known as the American Association of Intensive English Programs), an organization that promotes professional standards of quality in English programs. It is the only organization in the United States that includes all types of English language programs (ELPs), including pathway programs within institutions.
The Intensive English Program is a member of University and College Intensive English Programs (UCIEP) Inc., an independent consortium of university and college-administered intensive English programs in the United States. The mission of UCIEP is to promote quality instruction in intensive English as a Second Language programs through development and promotion of standards as well as professional development, advocacy, and communication of best standards.
LCI faculty are members of the TESOL International Association, formerly Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages, an association upholding standards of excellence in English language teaching. The LCI has endorsed and conforms to TESOL standards for postsecondary intensive English programs and the NAFSA Code of Ethics/Principles for English Programs and Determination of English Proficiency.