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American Language & Culture Institute

 

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The American Language and Culture Institute (ALCI) of California State University San Marcos has provided quality international education programs for more than 25 years and is globally recognized by language schools, universities, ministries of education, governmental bodies, sponsorship agencies, and top educational organizations.
 

Surrounded by California’s most beautiful beaches, mountains, and deserts, the ALCI is the perfect place to achieve your academic, personal, and professional goals.

Come say hello!

The ALCI is located on the California State University San Marcos Campus in the Extended Learning Building, Suite 588.

Mailing Address:
American Language and Culture Institute (ALCI)
California State University San Marcos
333 South Twin Oaks Valley Road
San Marcos, CA 92096-0001 USA

Contact Us  

Phone: +1 (760) 750-3200
Email: alci@csusm.edu 

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  • UNIVERSITY ACCESS PROGRAM

    University Access Program

    Whether you need to improve your academic history or your English skills, this program allows you to earn credits toward your bachelor's or select master's degree. You will receive guaranteed admission upon successful completion of the program.

    Learn More About University Access Program

     

  • INTENSIVE ENGLISH PATHWAY

    Intensive English Pathway

    This premier Intensive English Pathway (IEP) program prepares students of all levels of English ability and other qualified students a pathway option to take English language course along with university courses.  If you successfully complete this program, you can be recommended for university admission without a TOEFL or IELTS score. 

    Learn More About Intensive English Pathway

  • STUDY @ CSUSM

    Study @ CSU San Marcos

    Study @ CSU San Marcos is a non-degree program for visiting/fee-paying international students who want to enroll in university classes for credit for one or two semesters at California State University San Marcos. Take classes while being in the heart of Southern California, surrounded by beautiful beaches, mountains and deserts. 

    Learn More About Study @ CSUSM

  • TEACHER TRAINING

    Teacher Training

    Teaching English as a Second/Foreign Language (TESL/TEFL) Certificate

    Designed for individuals who are interested in teaching English abroad (EFL) or in the United States (ESL). This 120-hour certificate program focuses on best practices in methods, materials and techniques used to teach English as a second/foreign language.

    Learn More About Individual Teacher Training

    TEFL Certificate for International Teachers of English

    Designed to meet the needs of groups of teachers from abroad. This customizable program focuses on principles and techniques that can be adapted to the teaching situation of the home country.

    Learn More About Group Teacher Training

  • SHORT-TERM PROGRAMS

    Short-Term Programs

    CSUSM offers customized, short-term programs designed to meet the needs of organized groups who want to have a Southern California language travel experience and/or study English for specific purposes such as business/medical English and leadership and community engagement. 

    Learn More About Short-Term Programs

  • UNDERGRADUATE CONDITIONAL ADMISSION

    Undergraduate Conditional Admission

    Conditional admission is available to qualified students applying for undergraduate (bachelor’s degree) admission to CSUSM. Conditional admission is a way for you to learn in advance if you qualify for admission to CSUSM. 

    As a conditionally admitted student, you can be admitted to CSUSM upon successful completion of one of the programs listed below: 

    • University Access Program
    • Intensive English Pathway

    Learn More About Undergraduate Conditional Admission

  • GRADUATE CONDITIONAL ADMISSION

    Graduate Conditional Admission

    Conditional admission is available to qualified students applying for graduate (master’s degree) admission to CSUSM. Conditional admission is a way for you to learn in advance if you qualify for admission to CSUSM. 

    As a conditionally admitted student, you can be admitted to certain graduate/master’s programs at CSUSM upon successful completion of the Intensive English Pathway program without needing a passing TOEFL or IELTS score for certain graduate programs.  Many students with conditional admission have completed ALCI's Intensive English Pathway program and continued to achieve their goal of earning a master’s degree from CSUSM. 

    Learn More About Graduate Conditional Admission

  • LEARN MORE ABOUT ALCI

    Hear From ALCI Students

    Enjoy Beautiful Tour of Campus

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    Accreditation and Affiliations

    English USA logo    TESOL logo    NAFSA logo    Study California logo


Study in California

Study and take classes in beautiful North County San Diego. You'll be close to beaches, hiking, mountains, Hollywood, Disneyland and more!

Globally Recognized

The American Language and Culture Institute at CSUSM is recognized by language schools, universities, ministries of education, governmental bodies, sponsorship agencies and more throughout the world

Variety of Program Options

CSUSM offers a wide range of program options to study in California, including English-language programs, pathway programs to attend CSUSM, short-term programs, teacher training and more

Benefit from Personal Attention

When you attend an ALCI program at CSUSM, you will be working with a team of dedicated professionals who ensure you are set up for success and enjoy your time in Southern California

My experience with the Intensive English Pathway program has been the most wonderful. I have learned more than English. I learned values and allowed me to get to know the different cultures of my teachers and classmates. At first it was difficult for me to communicate. However, now I feel that I can handle a conversation or a speech without problem thanks to all the support and help that my teachers and the program gave me. I enjoyed my time with ALCI everyone was so kind and helpful to me, is something I’ll never forget.

– Camila Alejandra Delgado Blanco, Class of 2021, Intensive English Pathway

Lima, Peru

– Camila Alejandra Delgado Blanco, Class of 2021, Intensive English Pathway

The class of CSUSM Prof. Ahmadinia (CS 435) gave me an advantage upon my return to France and helped me gain a position as an Embedded Systems Engineer position at AUSY (a Consulting & Engineering firm in Advanced Technologies). As a student at CSUSM, I was able to share my experience in many volunteering events (Iraqi Young Leaders Exchange Program and short programs at CSUSM). I continue to use this international experience with different customers in my work and always encourage future classes of students to choose CSUSM.

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– Guilhem Remburre, Class of 2018, Study @ CSUSM, Computer Science

Nantes, France, Software Engineer, AUSY

– Guilhem Remburre, Class of 2018, Study @ CSUSM, Computer Science

I have been working with CSUSM since graduation and I have seen so much growth on campus! It is a wonderful feeling of close community even with much bigger size and scale! Si Se Puede (It Can Be Done)- there are so many obstacles in life. It's okay to take a break and recharge yourself when it happens but keep your chin up and move forward to the direction you want to be in. One day, you'll say, It Can Be Done because I did it!

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– Junko Miyoshi Sweeney, Class of 2005, Human Development

Shikokuchūō, Ehime, Japan, CEO, International Study Abroad Connection

– Junko Miyoshi Sweeney, Class of 2005, Human Development
 
 
 

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