

UCIEP Bylaws and Guidelines
BYLAWS OF THE UNIVERSITY AND COLLEGE INTENSIVE ENGLISH PROGRAMS, INC.
A Nonprofit Corporation
Adopted April 1, 2010 as part of Processes of Incorporation
Updated February 9, 2017
Updated April 18, 2023
Updated January 29, 2026
UCIEP is an educational, charitable, non-profit association. The purpose of UCIEP is to promote quality instruction in English Language Programs in U.S. universities and colleges by the following:
- Developing and promoting standards, published as the UCIEP Guidelines, to ensure quality English as a second language instruction;
- Ensuring that member programs adhere to the Guidelines;
- Providing a communication network among members to facilitate exchange of program information via, for example, surveys, questionnaires, and publications;
- Serving as a source of information on matters regarding English Language Programs for universities and colleges seeking advice on establishing or enhancing existing programs via consultations and workshops; and
- Providing consultation regarding English Language Programs in universities or colleges, professional organizations and government agencies.
The vision for UCIEP is to be the industry leader for university-governed English Language Programs.
These core values guide UCIEP:
- Integrity: Exemplifying honesty, trust, respect, and transparency
- Excellence: Promoting ethical and professional practices and high standards for students, faculty, and staff
- Collective Wisdom: Sharing knowledge to inspire and advance innovation and academic entrepreneurism
- Collaboration: Working with members and stakeholders to analyze issues, respond proactively to trends, and identify creative solutions
- At least two annual meetings of the membership are held each year: the Annual Business Meeting in February and the Annual General Meeting in May/June. At least one of these must be face to face.
- Additional meetings are not required of membership but may occur online or face to face.
- Dates for the meetings are announced at the previous meeting and online.
- The Annual Directors’ Conference is held in February each year and coincides with the Annual Business Meeting.
An English language program is any program that offers English language training to support the mission of their home university or college. Members must have a core English language program that meets the equivalent of full-time status, by offering the minimum full time equivalent of 9 or 12 credit hours, or 18 contact hours, as well as meeting remaining UCIEP guidelines, including the categories: program staff, appointments, professional development, program and curriculum, and student recruitment. Institutions may define programs in different ways. For instance, English Language Programs include but are not limited to Intensive English Programs, foundation or pathway programs, or courses/programs for matriculated students.
Additional qualifications of member programs include:
Subject to conformance with requirements below, membership in UCIEP is open to any English language program fully governed and administered by an accredited university, college, or community college in the United States and its territories which grants the minimum of the bachelor's degree.
- The program has been in continuous operation for at least three years upon application.
- The program upholds UCIEP Guidelines.
- The program director, defined as the program’s chief administrator with decision making power, is the member program’s primary representative at UCIEP meetings and the sole representative on the UCIEP listserv.
To remain a member in good standing, a UCIEP member program must:
- Pay annual dues
- Demonstrate continued compliance to the Board with UCIEP Guidelines
- Through a ten-year site visit (unless exempted with CEA Accreditation), and
- Through the UCIEP Self-Study submitted every five years after admission
- Through updates as required by the Board of the program or voluntarily by the program due to significant program changes.
- Be represented at least once every two calendar years at the UCIEP Annual Directors’ Conference and Business Meeting.
- Absence from two consecutive UCIEP Annual Directors’ Conferences will result in the program member being placed on Probation.
- Be subscribed to the UCIEP listserv and adhere to official listserv and survey protocols.
- Program Probation may occur at any time if a program:
- Has not paid membership dues in the last 12 months
- Fails to attend required meetings
- Fails to uphold any UCIEP Guideline
- Violates any UCIEP Bylaws
- In the case that Probation is invoked, a letter will be sent to the program's representative requesting information regarding the program's violations and advising that if conditions are not met in the following 12 months that the program will be dismissed from membership. Revocation of Probation may be initiated by the President upon receipt in writing that the program has satisfied all previous deficiencies. A new Self-Study and Site Visit may be required. A majority vote of the Board is required to revoke Probation.
- The Board of Directors of UCIEP reviews and votes upon membership applications at least twice a year.
- The Board of Directors reviews the prospective program’s Self-Study, Site Visit Report and any additional materials to determine whether the applicant program meets membership Guidelines by majority vote. New programs must pay all initial site visit and membership fees within six months of the vote before membership offer will expire.
- Qualifying member programs and the UCIEP membership will be notified of newly approved programs.
- Programs not meeting membership requirements will be notified in writing.
Reconsideration of an application not meeting UCIEP Guidelines or of an approved program failing to pay fees may be initiated by the President upon receipt in writing that the program has satisfied all previous deficiencies. A new Self-Study and Site Visit may be required.
- The Board of Directors of UCIEP reviews and acts upon membership renewal applications at least twice a year.
- At the Board meeting at the Annual General Meeting, the Board of Directors reviews the recommendations of the Evaluation Committee as well as program Self-Studies, applicable Site Visit Reports, and any additional materials to determine whether a program continues to meet membership Guidelines and remains in good standing. A majority vote of the Board is required.
- Renewing member programs and the UCIEP membership will be notified of continuing programs.
- Programs not meeting membership requirements will be put on Probation. 3. Under extenuating circumstances (under review for CEA, medical emergency, etc.) a program may be given a one year Deferral on a self-study by majority vote of the Board. The Deferral does not change future years of self-studies. Programs not providing the Deferred Self-Study within 12 months of approval for the extension will be put on Probation.
- The officers of UCIEP are a President, a Vice President, and a Past President. The term of office for all is one year from the close of one annual UCIEP General Meeting until the close of the meeting one-year hence. A UCIEP representative appointed by the President to fill an officer vacancy (Article XV) takes office upon their acceptance.
- Officers are elected as stipulated by Article XVIII.
- DUTIES OF OFFICERS:
- The President shall:
- Serve as the spokesperson for the organization;
- Oversee the execution and regular review of the Strategic Plan;
- Appoint, in the case of their absence, the Vice President or the Past President to preside at meetings of UCIEP;
- Serve as UCIEP liaison with other professional organizations, in conjunction with the Past President;
- Appoint and define the functions of standing and special committees;
- Preside over the Board of Directors;
- Set and announce the date for, plan the agenda for, and preside at the annual UCIEP Business Meeting and General Meeting and all Board meetings; and
- Oversee membership application process.
- The Vice President:
- Shall assist the President with the membership application procedure;
- Shall serve as chair of the Evaluation Committee;
- May serve as spokesperson in lieu of President when necessary;
- Shall call roll at the UCIEP Business and General meeting;
- Shall assist President as needed; and
- Shall preside over UCIEP meetings in the absence of the President.
- The Past President:
- May serve as spokesperson in lieu of President when necessary;
- Shall assist President as needed and;
- Shall chair the Nominations Committee and oversee the nominations procedure for the annual Board of Directors election.
- The President shall:
- The Board of Directors consists of twelve UCIEP representatives in the positions of President, Vice President, Past President, Central Office Coordinator, Communications Coordinator, Membership Coordinator, and six Elected members-at-large with two each serving as members of the Board Committees: Advocacy, Professional Development, and Promotions.
- The Board of Directors serves as a working committee and an advisory body to the President of UCIEP, completes strategic work of the Board, reviews action items proposed by the membership, and makes recommendations. The Board of Directors also reviews and acts upon membership applications.
- At least two Meetings of the Board of Directors are called annually by the President. The presence of a majority of Directors constitutes a quorum. A majority of votes carries any action, except where provided otherwise by law or by these Bylaws.
- Any action that is required to be taken, or that may be taken, at a meeting of Directors may be taken without a meeting if a consent in writing, setting forth the action so taken, is signed by all of the Directors. Such consent in writing shall have the same force and effect as a unanimous vote of the Board and shall be filed with the corporate records with the minutes of Board of Directors meetings.
- Members of the Board, or any committee designated by the Board, may take any action permitted or authorized by these Bylaws by meeting using any means of communication by which all directors may communicate.
- Board members serve as chair or committee member and Board of Directors liaison on all UCIEP standing and special committees. UCIEP Standing Committee members serve for one year as committee member and one year as chair. These Standing Board committees include:
- The Promotions Committee shall promote and publicize the work of UCIEP;
- The Advocacy Committee shall work to educate the membership on all matters related to program advancement and shall provide specialized training as needed at NAFSA.;
- The Professional Development Committee shall provide a rich, robust program of training for members at the Annual Winter Conference, shall provide specialized training as needed at TESOL, and publicize additional training opportunities throughout the year.
- UCIEP Special Committees include members of the general membership. Board Members may serve on these committees as well:
- The Evaluation Committee, chaired by the Vice President, serves from December until May, reviews all Self-Study member program applications and convenes at the Annual Conference. At least five general members shall be appointed to this committee.
- The Nominating Committee, chaired by the Past President, serves from February until May, nominates all elected members of the Board and prepares the election slate. Committee membership includes the Past President, President, Vice President, and one member at large.
- Additional special committees or task forces as needed to advance the Revisions to the UCIEP Strategic Plan may be convened by the President for a term of no more than 12 months.
- Central Office Coordinator
- One member program shall be designated to serve as the UCIEP Central Office.
- The term of such service shall be four years, beginning and ending with the annual UCIEP General Meeting. This term may be renewed in one-year increments by approval of the Board of Directors.
- The Central Office shall:
- Serve the function of treasurer and prepare an annual financial statement to the membership;
- Make all arrangements for UCIEP meeting rooms and refreshments at annual NAFSA conference;
- Maintain incorporation documentation;
- Maintain operating database and website contract and communications with vendor;
- Archive documents on the website and
- Serve such administrative functions as may be assigned by the Board of Directors in support of UCIEP projects.
- Communications Coordinator
- One program representative shall be appointed by the President to serve as Communications Coordinator.
- The term of such service shall be three years, beginning and ending with the annual UCIEP General Meeting. This term may be renewed in one-year increments by approval of the Board of Directors.
- The Communications Coordinator shall:
- Prepare the minutes of the annual UCIEP Business Meeting and distribute them to the membership for approval by the next Business Meeting;
- Prepare and distribute annually a list of UCIEP member programs with the contact information of each of the program's representative;
- Oversee the various forms of internal communications within UCIEP and make them as efficient and effective as possible. These forms of communication include:
- Overseeing the listserv protocol including member subscriptions;
- Providing content for the website; and
- Archiving documents on the website.
- Membership Coordinator
- One program representative shall be appointed by the President to serve as Membership Coordinator.
- The term of such service shall be three years, beginning and ending with the annual UCIEP General Meeting. This term may be renewed in one-year increments by approval of the Board of Directors.
- The Membership Coordinator shall oversee various tasks related to maintaining membership rosters and member program information, including but not limited to:
- Tracking member program data;
- Tracking meeting attendance;
- Responding to and tracking progress of new-member inquiries;
- Assisting the Vice President with tracking program self-studies and gathering documents;
- Receive and acknowledge new program membership applications, distribute them to the Board of Directors; and
- Respond to inquiries from English Language Programs interested in UCIEP membership and from others.
- The call for nominations will be sent out through the UCIEP listserv by the Nominating Committee. Nominated candidates are individuals from UCIEP member programs in good standing. The Nominating Committee will announce a slate of candidates no later than thirty days prior to the annual UCIEP General Meeting. Elections are conducted by electronic ballot during the month preceding the annual UCIEP General Meeting and concluding at least two weeks prior to the General Meeting. The results are announced at the UCIEP General Meeting.
- The elected UCIEP President, elected Vice President, and elected members of the Board of Directors may not serve consecutive terms in the same office.
- The UCIEP Vice President is elected for a one-year term by electronic ballot during the month preceding the annual UCIEP General Meeting. The Vice President assumes the office of President at the close of the annual UCIEP General Meeting, one year after assuming the office of Vice President.
- The out-going President of UCIEP serves as Past President and continues as a member of the Board of Directors for the year following their term as President.
- At the annual UCIEP General Meeting preceding the one at which the term of office of the UCIEP Central Office will expire, member programs shall be invited to submit to the President, within 90 days, proposals to serve in that capacity. The Board of Directors shall decide, within 60 days, which of the programs submitting proposals is best suited to serve as the Central Office.
- The Nominating committee consists of the President and Vice President and is chaired by the Past President. The call for nominations will be sent out through the UCIEP listserv.
- The Nominating Committee will announce a slate of candidates no later than thirty days prior to the annual UCIEP General Meeting. Elections are conducted by electronic ballot during the month preceding the annual UCIEP General Meeting and concluding at least two weeks prior to the General Meeting. The results are announced at the UCIEP General Meeting.
- The appropriate number of members is elected to the Board of Directors each year to achieve a twelve-member Board. The standard term of appointment as a member-at-large of the Board of Directors is two years. The terms of three members-at-large expire in odd numbered years, and the terms of the other three members-at-large expire in the even numbered years.
- If the office of UCIEP President becomes vacant, the Vice President will vacate the position of Vice President, become President, complete the term, and also serve as President the next term.
- If the office of Vice President becomes vacant, the UCIEP President, in consultation with the Board of Directors, will appoint from among the members-at-large a new Vice President to complete the term. The new Vice President or any UCIEP representative will then be eligible for election to the office of President for the succeeding year.
- If a member-at-large position on the Board of Directors becomes vacant, the President, in consultation with the Vice President and Past President, will appoint a UCIEP representative to fill the position and complete the term of office.
- Each member program is entitled to one vote. Voting may take place at the annual UCIEP Business Meeting or annual General Meeting or by electronic ballot unless otherwise specified.
- All voting representatives present at the annual UCIEP Business or General Meeting constitute a quorum. All matters requiring a vote shall be decided by a majority of the quorum.
- The primary representative may informally appoint an alternate to represent the program at the annual UCIEP Business Meeting or the annual UCIEP General Meeting. Alternates must be currently employed at the same university/college as the primary program representative. The alternate must inform the Vice President of his or her presence prior to that meeting.
- Electronic ballots are sent to the primary UCIEP program representative. A simple majority of all ballots cast, to be open not less than 15 days, is required for action. E. Unless otherwise stipulated, all majority votes take effect immediately.
- Associate Membership. English language programs wishing to join UCIEP but do not yet meet membership guidelines may request associate membership. Upon approval by the UCIEP Board, associate members can take advantage of UCIEP support, professional development, advocacy, promotion of professional standards, and conferences but may not be voting members or serve on the board, identify as UCIEP members, or use the UCIEP branding. Associate membership status has a three-year sunset and may not be renewed.
The Board of Directors shall establish additional general procedures and policies for the operation and management of UCIEP, with a procedure for amending them.
The UCIEP Board has the authority to vote to declare force majeure on any or all membership guidelines in light of events creating industry-wide upheavals.
- The Bylaws may be amended by a majority vote of the official representatives attending the annual UCIEP Business Meeting or the annual UCIEP General Meeting provided that notice of the proposed change has been given to all member programs of UCIEP at least thirty days before the annual Business Meeting. The Bylaws may also be amended by a majority of the member programs returning an electronic ballot, provided that notice of the proposed change has been given to all member programs of UCIEP at least thirty days before the ballot is distributed.
- Unless otherwise stipulated, all changes to the Bylaws take effect immediately once voted upon.
- The UCIEP Guidelines may be amended by a 75% vote of the official representatives attending the annual Business Meeting or the Annual General Meeting provided that notice of the proposed change has been given to all member programs of UCIEP thirty days before the annual meeting. The UCIEP Guidelines may also be amended by a 75% vote of the member programs casting an electronic ballot, provided that notice of the proposed change has been given to all member programs of UCIEP at least thirty days before the ballot is distributed.
- Unless otherwise stipulated, all changes to the UCIEP Guidelines take effect immediately once voted on.
- Member institutions must provide evidence of compliance to newly instituted guidelines in their first official UCIEP self-study following passage of the amendment.
UCIEP shall maintain an affiliated UCIEP Alumni Group.
The Mission of the UCIEP Alumni Group is to foster a sense of community among past UCIEP directors and, at the pleasure of the Board, to provide ad hoc support for UCIEP initiatives.
This is an informal group and participants are not members of UCIEP and will not be added to the UCIEP Director’s listserv or other member resources.
- The UCIEP Alumni Group shall be open to anyone who has previously been an active member of UCIEP for at least one year (i.e., having attended at least one UCIEP director’s conference or business meeting).
- The UCIEP Alumni Group shall select a representative each year who will serve as a liaison with the UCIEP Board. The Past President on the UCIEP Board shall be the main contact with the UCIEP Alumni Group.
- Members of the UCIEP Alumni Group shall pay biennial dues to UCIEP to maintain membership in the group. Dues shall be set by the UCIEP board.
- The UCIEP Alumni Group activities may include working with the UCIEP Board on special events, special projects, fundraising, scholarships, and other activities determined in consultation with the UCIEP Board.
UCIEP GUIDELINES (2026)
Updated January 29, 2026
Members of the consortium of University and College English Language Programs (UCIEP) are dedicated to providing high quality academic English language instruction and cultural orientation to international students studying at higher education institutions in the United States. Consortium member programs are located on a variety of college and university campuses throughout the United States. The guidelines below set professional standards for the management of UCIEP programs, for the preparation and conduct of those who administer and staff those programs, and for the activities undertaken by UCIEP programs in the context of higher education. See UCIEP Bylaws for additional program membership requirements.
- The core English program receives adequate support from its institution, which at a minimum would include provision for suitable staff, and office and classroom facilities. Although no single administrative pattern is required, the English language program (ELP) should be sufficiently independent to permit the smooth functioning of all its activities.
- UCIEP membership is not open to ELPs that are managed or controlled either fully or in part by for profit enterprises, including “joint venture” enterprises with one or more parties being for-profit. A UCIEP ELP may be managed through a non-profit university research foundation.
- The role of the ELP in the international education program of the university or college must be explicitly recognized by the institution's administration.
- Each program, including the core English program, should have clearly established goals for the language education program it provides. In general, these goals should provide adequate and appropriate education to meet the student's and the institution's language objectives.
- The ELP has a program director who is defined in UCIEP Bylaws as the program’s chief administrator with decision-making authority.
- The program administrator has the preferred qualifications in the following areas minimally:
- A Master's degree - preferably a doctorate, AND
- A degree in Linguistics / Applied Linguistics / TESOL or Related Field with a certificate in TESOL, AND
- University administrative experience and training that may include such areas as budgetary planning and personnel management.
In the case where expertise is lacking in TESOL, the program administrator must have at least a Masters degree and supervise direct reports who are professionals responsible for the following areas according to the structural needs of the program:
- Curriculum
- English for Academic Purposes and understanding of English language skill demands for university student success
- Structures of English language (phonology, grammar/syntax, lexicon/vocabulary)
- Student Assessment (testing, placement of students, progression of students)
- Adult Second Language Acquisition Theory, Teaching Methods, Materials/technologies
- Faculty Supervision and Assessment
- Professional Development
- Teaching Evaluation
- Teacher Supervision
- Strategic Planning
- Budget
- Personnel Management
- Promotions and Marketing, Recruiting
- University and/or Program Liaising both internally and externally
- Fundraising
- Events planning
- Immigration
- Academic Employee Qualifications: All academic employees at a higher education institution that are involved in curriculum and/or instruction should have the following qualifications:
- A Master's degree, AND
- A degree in Linguistics / Applied Linguistics / TESOL or Related Field with a certificate in TESOL, AND
- Prior TESOL teaching experience, AND
- Preferably, knowledge of or previous formal study of a second language.
- Core Faculty are qualified academic employees that teach the majority of courses of the member program. A steady Core Faculty employed consistently and on a continual basis is necessary to provide programmatic stability and continuity.
- Instructional Hours Taught by Faculty: At a minimum, the UCIEP school must demonstrate that at least 51% of the instructional hours are provided by personnel who meet the professional qualifications described in B. Academic Employees/Core Faculty 1.
- Instructional hours are those classes that form the regular class offerings of the program (regardless of modality: face-to-face, virtual, etc.) and do not include one-on-one tutoring by qualified teachers.
- Core Faculty teaching assignments are consistent with institutional goals that permit time for class preparation and for university and professional growth and scholarship. The maximum number of classroom contact hours per week for Core Faculty should not exceed 20 hours. The preferred teaching load, however, is no more than 15 hours per week.
- Instructional Hours Taught by Faculty: At a minimum, the UCIEP school must demonstrate that at least 51% of the instructional hours are provided by personnel who meet the professional qualifications described in B. Academic Employees/Core Faculty 1.
- In exceptional cases, academic employees who lack the proper qualifications may be hired as long as…
- They are closely supervised in their ELP teaching assignments either by a qualified program administrator or by a qualified member of the Core Faculty, AND
- They are provided with ongoing professional training either within or outside the program, AND
- Their continued employment is contingent upon their working toward meeting the minimum qualifications.
- Part-time, adjunct, or temporary faculty (academic employees) who do not meet the qualifications in B. Academic Employees/Core Faculty 1 do not count towards the 51% recommended instructional hours taught by qualified teachers.
- The maximum number of classroom contact hours per week for part-time, adjunct, temporary faculty should not exceed the maximum for Core Faculty.
- In addition to any benefits that may be available to part-time, adjunct, and temporary faculty, the department should offer opportunities for support and professional development.
- Teaching Assistants are taking or have taken graduate work in TESOL.
- Teaching Assistants still taking graduate work must have a supervising academic employee that meets the qualifications of B-1 to qualify as Core Faculty by extension.
- A comprehensive pre-service orientation and training period is provided for Teaching Assistants.
- Teaching Assistants are observed in their classroom teaching and meet with a faculty course coordinator or other supervisor on a regular basis to review their performance. Their teaching is evaluated using criteria consistent with those used in evaluating regular faculty.
- The degree of responsibility assigned to Teaching Assistants is proportional to their degree of experience and teaching skill.
- The maximum number of classroom contact hours per week for Teaching Assistants should not exceed the maximum for Core Faculty.
- All employees receive an agreement of employment with details of length and compensation as well as eligibility for benefits and appointment renewal.
- Ideally, full-time employees should receive at least an annual or academic year appointment.
- The program administrator holds a full-time faculty or administrative appointment in the university or college department which administers the program.
- For programs or courses that have been offered consistently, it is recommended that an adequate number of full-time positions with benefits be utilized.
- At the time of application or renewal for full membership, if part-time, adjunct, temporary employees are the only faculty or have been employed as Core Faculty,
- you must justify how your current academic employee (including Core Faculty) staffing model ensures programmatic stability and continuity.
- you must provide information on how you have attempted to advocate for equity for those part-time, adjunct, temporary employees considered Core Faculty.
- The core English program provides the equivalent of a full course of studies, consisting of sufficient hours to meet student visa requirements (i.e., at least 18 hours of instruction per week, not including language laboratory hours or online/distance courses for IEPs, 12 hours for undergraduate degree programs, and 9 for graduate programs).
- The core English program should have the capacity to provide articulated means for meeting students’ instructional needs each session. Appropriate class size can range between 5 and 25 students.
- Course instruction is designed to recognize that language learning is an interrelated, interdependent, sequential process in which all language skill areas are addressed.
- To ensure that students pursuing an academic program are adequately prepared, the curriculum includes instruction in the skills of listening, reading, speaking, and expository writing, as well as academic and cultural orientation to enable students to perform effectively at the college or university level. The curriculum is reviewed regularly.
- Testing and placement procedures carried out by the core English program meet accepted professional standards. Testing instruments must be valid and reliable and should be reviewed regularly.
- Recruiting procedures are in accordance with those endorsed by NAFSA Association of International Educators.
- UCIEP member programs do not intentionally or actively recruit students away from other institutions without the permission of the campus ELP Director.
- UCIEP members who use educational consultants/agents should use a contract that specifies the terms and conditions of the recruiting agreement and should monitor them on an ongoing basis.






















