Information and resources for

Prospective Students

Language

Center for Intensive Training in English

NMSU’s intensive English program is called the Center for Intensive Training in English (CITE), and allows applicants to NMSU with lower TOEFL scores to be admitted to the university ‘tentatively,’ subject to additional testing (the CITE Placement Test) and coursework upon arrival at NMSU. CITE has three levels of study, and upon satisfactory completion of the advanced level students are able to attend regular NMSU degree courses as regular students.

CITE does not offer a ‘stand-alone’ English program, presently it is only able to accept applicants to regular degree programs at NMSU or some special groups for which special arrangements have been made.

The CITE Placement Test:

The CITE Placement Test is only offered officially at the start of the fall and spring semesters. Course/level placements may vary following the test (which evaluates students' abilities in speaking, writing, grammar listening, reading and vocabulary and then requires an individual meeting with the program director to discuss placement results).

CITE Course/Level Placement:

Course/level placements following the CITE Proficiency Test (which evaluates students' abilities in speaking, writing, grammar listening, reading and vocabulary and then requires an individual meeting with the program director to discuss placement results):

• SPCD 101 (undergraduate) or 401 (graduate), Beginning Level: The Beginning Level course focuses on 'Life Skills' English and is intended for those with little or no fluency in English. This course focuses on basic listening, speaking, reading, writing and grammar skills.

• SPCD 102 (undergraduate) or 402 (graduate), Intermediate Level: The Intermediate Level course is an integrated skills course in social and academic English. Designed for students who already speak, write and understand some English, the course emphasizes academic skills including listening and note-taking, reading, vocabulary development, grammar, and composition. In order to enroll in this course, students must submit a TOEFL score as listed on the “Required Minimal TOEFL Score” chart or have already passed the CITE Beginning course.

• SPCD 103 (undergraduate) /403 (graduate), Advanced Level: the Advanced Level course prepares students to communicate effectively in their academic area of specialization. Public speaking, reading and discussion, seminar presentations, and research paper writing are included in this course. Students wishing to enter the CITE at this level are asked to submit a TOEFL score as part of their application.

As a general rule, students should plan for one semester of CITE enrollment for each level of CITE study needed, therefore CITE students should plan to add from one to three (1-3) semesters to their plan of study at NMSU.

CITE Students and Regular NMSU Course Enrollment:

In some cases, CITE students can enroll in one other course at the university (for credit or for audit) in addition to the intermediate or advanced CITE courses. Students may enroll in an additional university course only with the recommendation of the CITE director and the approval of the student's academic advisor.

For more information, please see our FAQs, and visit the CITE webpages.