Frequently Asked Questions about Partnerships and Affiliations
Both programs – online and in-person are six levels each with a Fundamental level for true beginners, that is, students with no prior knowledge of English. Each level is 10 weeks, containing two five-week “modules”; that is, students finish one module per each five-week term. For example, a student placed into Level 5 would study 10 weeks; then, if successful, move to Level 6 for 10 weeks and graduate.
Of course, the duration of the program depends on the students’ prior proficiency levels. If they are intermediate level, they may take 4-6 months; if they are elementary, they may take 54-60 weeks or longer. The 7-level online program or the 6-level in-person program take roughly 54-60 weeks to complete, assuming students start at the elementary level. Yes, students can do both. They can apply for conditional admission prior to enrolling at INTERLINK while still in their home countries. If they are already enrolled at INTERLINK, they can also apply for conditional admission.
Their anticipated start date can be determined after they are tested for proficiency. INTERLINK can test them for placement/proficiency in advance if Host Institution wishes to know the anticipated start date of the students’ enrollment. There are no guarantees when it comes to student progression, but 85% and more of our students smoothly progress through Levels 2 – 5 on-campus and Levels 2 – 6 online with no repeating and the course path is reliably predictable. Fundamentals/Basics and Level 1 student progression depends on a wider range of factors but is still fairly reliable. In the document you shared in the partners/affiliates sections there are a few details I would like to clarify.
Yes, where there is an institute operated by INTERLINK on their campus. They are partners. Because YU is located outside the U.S. and cannot be considered an American institution, it cannot be listed among the Consortium members as shown on the American Universities Consortium webpage, so we listed it as an Affiliate to still give it the proper visibility on our website.
The Global Institute for IT Management (GIIM) is based in New York and is managed and was founded by Dr. Jerry Luftman who was Founder and Associate Dean of the Stevens Institute of Technology Information Systems Programs (one of the largest in the world). Link: IT Programs | Global Institute for IT Management (globaliim.com) “The mission of the Global Institute for IT Management (GIIM) is to impart a complete, flexible, and immediately actionable set of best digital management practices by an international group of over 300 prominent academics, practitioners, and management consultants, to prepare IT and non-IT thought leaders for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. The institute provides a comprehensive portfolio of 32 IT management certificates, with the appropriate balance of academic rigor and practical relevance, and with each frequently considered as being the single most important educational experience in the attendees’ professional life. The courses within the 32 respective certificates are delivered face-to-face (online is available) in concert with affiliate management associations, individual company groups/cohorts, or universities (where Master’s Degrees can also be awarded). The learning opportunities are in close proximity to the job, on a just-in-time basis, and integrated into the clients broader learning and development objectives. GIIM partners with clients and affiliates to deliver the right solutions to meet their digital management education objectives.”
Yes. We had established excellent partnerships with them, but visa bans and other factors forced us to close the programs. We are still in contact with them, and if in-person student flow increases, we will revisit the idea of setting up IEPs on their campuses.
All INTERLINK instructors have a Masters degree in TESOL or a related field. In addition, instructors have a minimum of three years’ teaching experience, though most have at least ten years. For more details, please see our website: https://old.interlink.edu/about/online-staff/
Level five of the on-campus program Level six of the online program
Our grading is based on a pass/fail system. Students have to demonstrate the skills/ abilities designated in the benchmarks. Assessment is continuous, holistic, taking into account all sorts of in-class and out-of-class assignments, projects, etc. Students’ admission is dependent on the directors’ recommendation, which is usually drawn from the teachers’ comments from their class work, portfolios, active involvement in their learning process. Our partner institutions depend more on our recommendations (holistic assessment) regarding the students’ preparedness than on a particular grade. Successful completion of the highest level is roughly considered equivalent to TOEFL 525/550 or IELTS 6.0/6.5 (based on partner EP requirements). This is a rough equivalency. (TOEFL PBT equivalency is 500 – 550 in the range of passing students who exceed expectations. TOEFL iBT = 61 – 80 in range; CEFR = B2. ILETS = 6-6.5. ) Students do not pass according to any kind of calculated percentage rates derived from standardized assessment tools on a collection of assignments, quizzes, and tests; instead, their readiness for academic studies is based on their ability to demonstrate benchmarks (student learning objectives) related to academic reading, writing, presenting, discussion, research, and listening. The students’ performance is assessed holistically, giving them every opportunity to demonstrate that they can meet expectations of academic preparation and language proficiency in a variety of ways. INTERLINK instructors are specifically trained in formative daily assessment and holistic final assessment; each term, time is devoted to discussing assessment among the teaching team to establish and reinforce consistency across expectations.
Partner institutions (MSU, SPU, UNCG, Al Yamamah) Affiliates (MSUB, UWCC, GIITM, Al Yamamah)
We still maintain contact with these institutions despite the closure of our center due to low enrollment. INTERLINK operated programs at Valpo for over 25 years, and the closure of our program has not ended the excellent rapport that existed between our institutions. We are in the process of inviting them as affiliates.
For some 40 years, INTERLINK has been preparing graduate and undergraduate students not only for our partner universities’ graduate schools but also graduate schools of many other universities, including Duke University, the Law School at Wake Forest, University of Washington, and many other institutions. Our project-based, experiential instructional approach has been very effective in preparing students at their individual learning pace for both graduate and undergraduate studies. Our upper levels in particular focus on essays and research papers, presentations, group and team work. The feedback from our universities in preparing students for academic studies has been very positive. When needed, we have always created additional courses, levels, and experiences for graduate students. Undergraduate students who complete the program are generally able to do quite well in their academic studies (as GPA tracking by host institutions indicates). Graduate student performance varies, depending on field of study and academic background.While none of our affiliates or partner institutions have yet found the need to establish separate benchmarks or differing final expectations for graduate students, this option is sometimes discussed and differing expectations can be established based on the requirements of the partner institution. For specific satisfaction and success of graduate students, please see testimonials below.
Yes, they can. Regardless of where the students may physically be located, they can register with us online. They will, however, need to maintain status with their current institutions or transfer to INTERLINK, which will necessitate issuance of an I-20 by INTERLINK. Based on SEVIS’s ruling of fall of 2020, students are allowed online study in the U.S. INTERLINK intends to offer the hybrid option (some combination of online and in-person classes) if necessary for students based in the U.S.
INTERLINK has a very detailed procedure for vetting agents, starting with making sure that agents have received, read, and agree with the NAFSA’s code of ethics standards for agents; completion of an Agent Application Form; and an interview with the INTERLINK executive member, president or one of the home office colleagues. The interview with agents is for orientation purposes, answering questions, and making sure that the agents understand that their “first and foremost focus and priority be student needs” and recommend INTERLINK only if INTERLINK is the right training site for the students. In these meetings, it is important to touch upon the distinctive feature of learning at INTERLINK as a participatory process in which students play a central role. Agents are asked to explain in their meetings with students INTERLINK’s approach to teaching and learning; that is, to benefit from their experience at INTERLINK, students must be active learners; participate actively in all in-class and out-of-class learning activities; actively participate in class discussions; expect close supervision by and assistance from their instructor; and collaborate with fellow learners. The phrase “serious students” is often used in our literature and to agents and sponsors; if students are to make good progress, they have to be serious about learning and follow INTERLINK’s established procedures for good learning habits. * INTERLINK success with agents increases as its institutional partners and affiliates are actively involved. INTERLINK shares its agent lists with its institutional partners and they share theirs with INTERLINK. Recruitment is a joint process; that is, INTERLINK recommends its partners and the partners recommend INTERLINK to potential agents, sponsors, and advising agencies, including EducationUSA. The more such cooperation and exchange of information occurs, the higher are the chances of winning agents over.
INTERLINK remains interested in expansion of its on-campus activities in a variety of ways which may include tailored short-term group programs, client-specific content-driven pathway courses, hybrid programs utilizing advances in online programming and where conditions are favorable, establishment of multi-level IEP programs. The latter would need to align with a commitment to geographic and enrollment diversity goals as well as key drivers in student mobility.
Agents, sponsors, and educational advisors are always invited – and welcome – to observe or/and participate in our classes to become more familiar with our instructional approach. Below are some testimonials by former and current students:
The Online Program Director will send a letter to confirm a student’s graduation from the program. The affiliate must designate a contact. Along with a progress report, indicating the level(s) completed, the proficiency chart below are also included with the report. Some institutions accept students at level four or five while others require the completion of all six levels.