English and Academic Preparation - Grad Track (Coursera)

Offered by Rice University,
English and Academic Preparation - Grad Track (Coursera)

The English and Academic Preparation – Grad Track course is for students with a (minimum) advanced level of English. It is designed to help international students strengthen their English while developing academic skills necessary for success in graduate studies at an American university. Ideally, prospective students have completed or are near completion of a bachelor’s degree in their country and would like to come to the United States to study for a master’s or doctorate degree.

Class Deals by MOOC List - Click here and see Coursera's Active Discounts, Deals, and Promo Codes.

The total length of time required to complete the course is approximately 4 weeks. Students should expect to spend about 3-4 hours per week working with the materials and assignments.
The course is made up of 4 modules:
• Listening, Speaking, and Critical Thinking
• Writer’s Workshop
• Reading and Note-taking
• Capstone Project
Each module consists of video lessons, opportunities for practicing English and academic skills, interactive discussion boards with classmates, and graded activities. All courses are asynchronous, which means that the lessons and their activities can be completed at any time of day or night, provided that all course assignments are completed by the final day of class.

Syllabus

WEEK 1
Listening, Speaking and Critical Thinking
In this module, we will learn some skills necessary for listening to and speaking about academic topics at the graduate level.

WEEK 2
Writer's Workshop
In this module, we will learn some skills necessary for writing about academic topics at the graduate level.

WEEK 3
Reading and Note-taking
In this module, we will learn some skills necessary for reading and note-taking about academic topics at the graduate level.

WEEK 4
Capstone
The Grad-Track capstone project is the final module of the English and Academic Preparation Program. In this module, you will not learn new information as you did in the previous modules, but rather apply the knowledge and skills you learned from the other modules in this academic certificate in order to complete a series of tasks. The word "capstone" was historically used to signify the completion of a building. The capstone was considered the most important and last stone placed on a newly constructed building. In keeping with this tradition, your successful capstone project signifies you have completed the certificate program and earned a crowning achievement.

Go to Class
MOOC List is learner-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Related Courses

Reading and Comprehension of Text in English (Coursera) Coursera
Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana

Reading and Comprehension of Text in English (Coursera)

Effective reading, especially when the main goal is to obtain information, involves certain strategies. Its application is almost automatic, unconscious, when it comes to readings in the mother tongue. However, when it comes to reading a text in English, there are several factors that make its application difficult. The purpose of this course is for students to be aware of the characteristics of texts in general and of legal texts in particular and of some activities in which, such as reader can participate to read effectively.

Nov 16th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Behavior Architecture - Understanding Human Behavior (Coursera) Coursera
Fractal Analytics

Behavior Architecture - Understanding Human Behavior (Coursera)

Understanding human behavior can be quite challenging, even with numerous theories available. The fact that we're still struggling raises the question: why are we failing? Is it because we're not applying the theories properly, or could there be issues with the theories themselves? In this course, we'll explore the fascinating world of human behavior and the reasons behind our difficulties in understanding it.

Nov 16th 2026
3 Weeks
Inglés Empresarial: Gestión y Liderazgo (Coursera) Coursera
Arizona State University

Inglés Empresarial: Gestión y Liderazgo (Coursera)

¿Es usted un ejecutivo de negocios o gerente que utiliza inglés en su profesión? Entonces Ud. sabe que la buena comunicación empresarial en inglés exige los enfoques, el vocabulario y las estructuras lingüísticas específicas. En este curso, Ud. seguirá, a lo largo con un gerente recién promovido, como ella construye y conduce a su equipo hacia el éxito.

Nov 16th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Introduction to Who Wrote Shakespeare (Coursera) Coursera
University of London,Goldsmiths, University of London

Introduction to Who Wrote Shakespeare (Coursera)

This free course from the University of London explores critical thinking, and the interpretation of texts, through the Shakespeare authorship question. Using doubt about Shakespeare’s authorship as our playground, we will explore the key concept of authorship attribution, while developing skills in literary analysis, interpretation, and argument. Through forensic exploration of key texts, you will learn why Shakespeare’s authorship is questioned, and what evidence is cited on both sides of the debate.

Nov 16th 2026
4 Weeks
Training and Learning Online (Coursera) Coursera
University of Leeds

Training and Learning Online (Coursera)

Have you considered completing online training programmes and courses? Or perhaps you have to work online for your studies and you are not sure how to do it? Learning online is very different from face-to-face learning, as it often involves independent study and a different set of skills. On this course, you will develop effective online learning strategies that work for you, whether you are learning for work, leisure or for your studies, so that you can make the most of it.

Nov 16th 2026
3 Weeks
Science Literacy (Coursera) Coursera
University of Alberta

Science Literacy (Coursera)

Fake news or good science? In a world where we have access to unlimited information, it is hard to sift through the echo chamber of opinions fueled by emotions and personal biases, rather than scientific evidence. Science Literacy will teach you about the process of science, how to think critically, how to differentiate science from pseudoscience, how indigenous wisdom can inform science, how to understand and design a scientific study, and how to critically evaluate scientific communication in the media.

Nov 16th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Business English: Finance and Economics (Coursera) Coursera
Arizona State University

Business English: Finance and Economics (Coursera)

Do you work in finance or interact with finance professionals? Is it necessary to speak, write or understand English in your career? Follow the authentic characters in this course as they work through common business situations in finance and economics. Learn from your successes and failure, and think critically about your own communication options.

Nov 9th 2026
5-12 Weeks
The Talmud: A Methodological Introduction (Coursera) Coursera
Northwestern University

The Talmud: A Methodological Introduction (Coursera)

The Talmud is one of the richest and most complicated works of literature the world has ever known. Since being composed around 1500 years ago it has inspired not only religious reverence but significant intellectual engagement. In this course learners will be introduced to the unique characteristics of this text and the challenges that inhere in studying it while studying a chapter of the Talmud.

Nov 16th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Miracles of Human Language: An Introduction to Linguistics (Coursera) Coursera
Leiden University,Meertens Instituut - KNAW

Miracles of Human Language: An Introduction to Linguistics (Coursera)

Everywhere, every day, everybody uses language. There is no human society, no matter how small or how isolated, which does not employ a language that is rich and diverse. This course introduces you to linguistics, featuring interviews with well-known linguists and with speakers of many different languages. Join us to explore the miracles of human language!

Nov 9th 2026
5-12 Weeks
¿Cómo persuadir? Jugando con palabras, imágenes y números (Coursera) Coursera
Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona

¿Cómo persuadir? Jugando con palabras, imágenes y números (Coursera)

¿Te has planteado alguna vez mediante qué mecanismos algunas personas consiguen convencer a otras personas? Este curso da respuesta a la pregunta y está dirigido a cualquier individuo interesado por los mecanismos de la argumentación en el siglo XXI. Aprenderemos la base de la comunicación persuasiva y el pensamiento crítico aplicados a toda clase de formatos: desde las palabras o los argumentos, pasando por las imágenes y los audiovisuales o, finalmente, por los números, las estadísticas y los gráficos.

Nov 16th 2026
4 Weeks
Build Your Professional ePortfolio in English (Coursera) Coursera
Georgia Institute of Technology

Build Your Professional ePortfolio in English (Coursera)

Roughly half of the world’s population is already online and so setting yourself apart from the crowd is more important than ever before. One of the best ways to do that is by creating your own ePortfolio. An ePortfolio is a site that showcases or shows your background, your resume, and samples of your work. In this course, you will learn step by step how to build the site and you’ll learn the grammar, vocabulary and writing skills needed to create it. You will learn how to apply information from your ePortfolio to other online tools like LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube in order to network with others so that you get a job or connect with other professionals.

Nov 16th 2026
4 Weeks