The Center for Intensive Training in English (CITE)

Overview of the Center for Intensive Training in English

Founded in 1970, the Center for Intensive Training in English (CITE) is a dynamic and challenging program providing English language training for graduate, undergraduate and non-degree students planning to pursue academic degrees at New Mexico State University.  

CITE Classes

During Fall and Spring semesters, CITE offers three levels of English instruction taught by highly skilled instructors. Each level in the program consists of 20 hours of class time per week which are divided into smaller ‘components’ (listening, writing, reading, grammar, speaking and pronunciation).  CITE classes provide a teacher student ratio averaging 1:10 which allows for an academically-challenging, highly-interactive program that encourages students to integrate new skills into their English language. Throughout the program, students are carefully monitored for their progress and performance in both English and their subject matter courses, and close contact is maintained during the year between the program director and students’ academic advisors.  As a result, university records indicate that over two-thirds of CITE participants go on to complete their degree objectives.

Admission to NMSU and CITE

Students in the CITE program earn 6-12 NMSU credits each semester.  Therefore, interested students must be admitted as an undergraduate, graduate or non-degree NMSU student first in order to enroll in CITE (see Foreign Admissions for more information).  Prospective international students should submit a TOEFL or IELTS score to International Programs to determine their level of English language proficiency. Those students who have a TOEFL or IELTS score which is lower than the required score for full-time regular study are admitted to NMSU “conditionally” based on their completion of the CITE program.  Students are placed at the level appropriate for their English skills (see “Three Levels of Instruction” below ) and then complete the remainder of the courses through the advanced level in order to become full-time, regular students at the university.  Until students have successfully completed the advanced course (SPCD 103/403), English courses in CITE take precedence over any major field or general education courses students may wish to take. Students should plan an extra semester for each level of English they are required to take in CITE.  At the advanced level, students may enroll in regular university courses while in CITE only with the recommendation of the CITE director and the approval of the academic advisor.  After students have successfully completed the Advanced CITE course and taken the Departmental Written and Oral Placement exams, students will be able to take regular academic courses at the University.  

CITE Annual Schedule

Required Minimum TOEFL Scores for Each Cite Level

Levels of Instruction

Beginning Level (SPCD 101/401)

The Beginning Level course focuses on survival English and is intended for those with little or no fluency in English. This course focuses on basic listening, speaking, reading, writing and grammar skills.  Below is a sample schedule for a Beginning Level class.

Intermediate Level (SPCD 102/402)

The Intermediate Level course is an integrated skills course in social and academic English.  Designed for students who already speak, write and understand some English, the course emphasizes academic skills including listening and note-taking, reading, vocabulary development, grammar, and composition. In order to enroll in this course, students must submit a TOEFL score as listed on the “Required Minimal TOEFL Score” chart or have already passed the CITE Beginning course. 

In some cases, CITE students can enroll in one other course at the university (for credit or for audit) in addition to the intermediate English course.  Students may enroll in an additional university course only with the recommendation of the CITE director and the approval of the student's academic advisor.  Below is a sample schedule for an Intermediate Level class.

Advanced Level (SPCD 103/403)

The Advanced Level course prepares students to communicate effectively in their academic area of specialization. Public speaking, reading and discussion, seminar presentations, and research paper writing are included in this course. Students wishing to enter the CITE at this level are asked to submit a TOEFL score as part of their application (please see the “Required Minimal TOEFL Score” chart).

Depending on his or her language proficiency, a student may be allowed to take regular university courses and CITE courses simultaneously.  Students may enroll in additional university courses only with the recommendation of the CITE director and the approval of the student's academic advisor, however. Below is a sample for an Advanced Level class.

Program Costs

Because the CITE program is a 6-12 credit program, the cost of classes is determined by the number of ‘components’ (classes) a student takes and the number of credits assigned to those classes. Each student will meet with the CITE Director to determine how many classes (and credits) he/she will be required to take to reach his/her academic goals. Please see "Schedule of Costs" under NMSU's Schedule of Classes for the semester in which you are enrolling to determine cost per credit.

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Studying English in Las Cruces New Mexico

The CITE Setting: NMSU has conducted intensive English programs since 1970.  The CITE program is housed in the center of New Mexico State University’s main campus in the Communication Studies Department of the College of Arts and Sciences.  Traditional classrooms and a computer lab are available to CITE learners.  Academic support services such as the Center for Learning Assistance and the English Department’s Writing Center are a 3-minute walk from CITE.  The Center for International Programs and the Student Union Building are a 5-minute walk away.

New Mexico State University:  New Mexico State University is a thriving center for higher education.  NMSU offers bachelor’s degree programs, master’s programs and doctoral programs through seven colleges: Education, Engineering, Business administration and Economics, Agriculture and Home Economics, Health and Social Services, Art and Sciences and Distance Education.  NMSU is ranked as one of the top 88 research institutions in the United States.  Its libraries house over a million volumes and over 6,000 periodicals. NMSU’s main campus is a large, tree-shaded area with spacious lawns and gardens.  At the edge of a small city (100,000 population), it creates an appealing environment for many types of student activities. The campus is home to local and touring musicians, a TV and radio station, a professional theater, art galleries, films, museums, an 18-hole golf course, a tennis center, indoor and outdoor pools and an activity center.

NMSU is an institution with a commitment to cultural diversity and international education.  The main campus has a student body of 16,000 which reflects the Latino, European, American Indian and African American cultures that are a part of New Mexico’s history. In addition to various U.S. current groups, a growing international population also contributes to NMSU’s diversity. Each spring an international festival gives students from abroad the opportunity to share the food, dress, music and art of their countries with the Las Cruces community. 

Student organizations are another aspect of campus life. Through the more than 200 clubs and organizations which NMSU students have created, members seek to develop themselves and serve their community.  Samples of the types of interests represented in clubs include the following:  cycling, badminton, soccer, karate, choral singing, dance, and equestrian activities.  Religious expression is possible through such organizations as the Hillel Foundation, the Muslim Student Association, and several Christian groups.  Professional clubs serve students in engineering fields, nursing, journalism, education, agricultural fields, and many more.   Organized specifically around service are such clubs as Habitat for Humanity, Rotaract, a student organization associated with Rotary International, and several others.

Thank you for your interest in the Center for Intensive Training in English; we hope to see you soon at New Mexico State University!

Marieka Brown
Director, Center for Intensive Training in English

For questions about The Center for Intensive Training in English, contact:
Marieka Brown, Director
Department of Communication Studies
Speech Building, Room 239
Email: mariebro@nmsu.edu
Phone: 575.646.4428 or 575.646.2801
Fax: 575.646.4642

For questions about the admissions process, contact:
Foreign Admissions, Center for International Programs
Email: ias@nmsu.edu
Phone: 575.646.5483
    Fax: 575.646.2558