Institute for Academic and Professional Studies

The Institute for Academic and Professional Studies (IAPS) introduces students to academic subjects and professional communication in English. The program helps students develop English language skills for communicating clearly and confidently in a university environment and professional settings. IAPS is designed for international undergraduate students. In the Integrated Skills core course, students discover the culture and history of Philadelphia by reading academic texts, performing research, participating in academic discussions, and building and writing a blog to showcase their research and reflections. In the elective courses, students explore two academic and/or professional subjects in English. They build vocabulary and develop listening and speaking skills to effectively communicate knowledge and opinions about course topics. Students also complete individual and group projects and presentations. Throughout the program, guest lectures from Penn professors enhance learners’ university experience.