June 15-August 12, 2025
Move-in June 13, 2025
The Otis Summer Language Program (SLP) is a unique opportunity for students who are eager to join our academic community and require additional English language support. If your English proficiency scores fall slightly below our requirements, but you are otherwise a strong student, we encourage you to consider this special summer bridge program.
Application Requirements
Fall 2025 applicants who do not meet the standard English proficiency requirements but have scores in the following ranges will be considered for admission to the Summer Language Program and conditional admission for the fall term:
- TOEFL: 67-78
- IELTS: 5.5-6.0
- Duolingo: 95-100
In addition to the scores above, applicants must have a strong academic record and a solid creative portfolio to be accepted for the Summer Language Program. If accepted, students will also be offered conditional admission for the fall term, which means they will be provisionally accepted to Otis, pending successful completion of the summer session.
To secure their space, students will need to submit their tuition deposit of $300 by April 15. Once documents are received, an I-20 will be issued by the College so that the student can apply for the F-1 student visa for the Summer Language Program. After successful completion of the program, students will receive an updated acceptance letter and a new I-20 will be issued for the BFA program.
Summer Language Program Courses
The Summer Language Program is an eight-week immersive course designed to prepare students to be successful at Otis during their first year. Classes will be held Monday through Friday with two days of Foundation Studio, three days of English, and five hours of class time per day. The weekends will be free for students to explore Los Angeles.
Students will enroll in two classes:
- Developmental English I (ENGL 050)
Developmental English I is a for credit, non-degree applicable course designed to support native and non-native speakers of English language in developing the basic Standard English language skills needed for reading, analyzing, writing, and discussing college-level material. The class focuses on organizing ideas into unified and coherent sentences and paragraphs and developing these into a portfolio of drafted, revised, and edited essays. A minimum grade of “C” is required to pass this course.
- Expanded Studio Drawing: Drawing from Observation (FNDT 103)
Working from direct observation, students will investigate the world around them. Diverse spatial environments, ranging from the studio to exterior spaces, become the arena for students to examine and explore notions of concept and culture as components of drawing. Art historical references from the cave paintings of Lascaux to contemporary art practices will introduce students to composition, color, scale, proportion, depth, volume, and other organizing principles in service of constructing meaning and making a compelling drawing from life.
Tuition, Fees, and Housing
- $2,600 tuition
- $4,300 housing, programming and meals for first five days
- Total due by June 6: $6,900
Living in Los Angeles
During the Summer Language Program, you will live on campus in Otis housing and take classes on campus, giving you a head start in acclimating to Los Angeles and the Otis community.
Throughout the program, students will have opportunities to connect with TISOs, students who are members of Team International Student Outreach. TISOs will help build community among Summer Language Program students and support students during this transition. There will also be opportunities to explore Los Angeles through optional field trips and outings.
Our immersive program is designed to help you improve your English language skills, ensuring you feel confident and ready to thrive in your academic journey. Join us this summer to sharpen your skills and prepare for the exciting semester ahead!
Important Dates:
- Deposit Deadline: April 15
- Tuition Due: June 6
- Move in Day: June 13
- Classes begin: June 16
- Classes end: August 12
- O-week begins: August 18
Frequently Asked Questions
No, if you submit an application for Fall 2025 and your English proficiency score does not meet the level required for BFA admission, you will be automatically considered for the Summer Language Program.
Students must earn at least a “C” or better in both courses in order to continue into Otis College of Art and Design’s BFA program. All students will take a writing placement exam, the results of which will determine fall semester placement in Liberal Arts and Sciences courses.
You will be recommended to continue your English language studies at a nearby community college, such as El Camino College or Santa Monica College, for the Fall 2025 semester. You can then be considered for transfer to Otis College starting in the Spring 2026 semester, which begins in January.
Yes, students can take the English course pass/fail and will earn three credits for the Foundation Studio course. This will help students acclimate to Otis and Los Angeles ahead of the fall semester and allows them to enroll with a lower course load in the fall semester or to take an additional course.