Outside view of the Lied Library

Credit-Bearing Courses

Overview

The English Language Center offers for-credit composition and verbal skills courses designed specifically for international and multilingual students enrolled at UNLV. These courses provide essential academic writing and speaking skills and fulfill general education or program-specific requirements.

Need Help?

For more information, contact the English Language Center:

Phone: 702-895-3925
Email: elc@unlv.edu

English Composition Series (ENG 113 / 114)

Our first-year composition courses are an alternative route for international and multilingual students to fulfill UNLV’s General Education English Composition requirement. Our faculty are experts in working with multilingual learners.

ENG 113 – Composition I for International Students (3 credits)

Designed to develop fluency and confidence in writing across narrative, descriptive, and expository modes of discourse. This course is equivalent to ENG 101.

ENG 114 – Composition II for International Students (3 credits)

A continuation of ENG 113 or ENG 113E/F with an emphasis on critical thinking and persuasive writing. This course is equivalent to ENG 102.

*ENG 113 and ENG 114 fulfill UNLV’s 6-credit General Education Composition requirement.

ENG 113E/F – Composition I for International Students Extended (6 credits)


A two-part sequence for students who need more time and support to master academic writing.

  • ENG 113E: Focuses on narrative, descriptive, and expository writing
  • ENG 113F: Focuses on thesis-driven writing and prepares students for ENG 114

Tuition

Tuition costs can be calculated using the UNLV Tuition Estimator. For additional information, see UNLV College Costs.

Verbal Skills Courses

GLS 380 – Advanced Oral Presentation Skills (3 credits)

This course is designed to enhance the oral communication skills of multilingual English speakers while providing a supportive environment to explore the complexities of multiculturalism in the United States. Through engaging discussions, presentations, and reflective activities, students will examine U.S. cultural dynamics through various lenses, including race, gender, ethnicity, religion, sexuality, and age. This course aims to equip international students with a nuanced understanding of identity and diversity in the U.S., fostering mutual respect, intercultural awareness, and the ability to articulate complex ideas effectively.

GLS 580 – English for International Graduate Students

This course is designed to enhance the spoken English of international graduate students, particularly for teaching or presenting in academic settings.

Focus areas include:

  • Effective oral presentations
  • Creating and using visual aids
  • Improving pronunciation, rhythm, and intonation for better understandability

Meets Multicultural Core Requirement

Admission and Placement

Students may register through MyUNLV with permission from the English Language Center Director. Placement is based on official English language test scores or a placement test offered by the English Language Center.

If you do not have an English proficiency test score, visit the English Composition website or email englishcomposition@unlv.edu. Only current UNLV students are eligible for testing.

Placement Scores

ENG 113 – Equivalent to ENG 101

  • ACT English: 18–29
  • SAT ERWS: 480–650
  • TOEFL iBT: Overall 61, Writing 20
  • IELTS: Overall 6.0, Writing 6.0
  • PTE Academic: Overall 44
  • Completion of Level 6 Academic Writing in the Intensive English Program

ENG 113E – Equivalent to ENG 101 + labs 

  • ACT English: 17 and below
  • SAT ERWS: 200–470
  • TOEFL iBT: Overall 46, Writing 18
  • IELTS: Overall 5.5, Writing 5.5
  • PTE Academic: Overall 40

ENG 114 – Equivalent to ENG 102

  • ACT English: 30–36
  • SAT ERWS: 660–800
  • TOEFL iBT: Overall 80, Writing 21
  • IELTS: Overall 6.5, Writing 6.0
  • PTE Academic: Overall 58
  • AP English Language & Composition Exam: Score of 3–5