艺术学院（GSAS）即将入学的任何学生如果其录取通知书中包含英语诊断考试要求，则必须参加由ELP管理的考试，以确定在学习的第一年是否需要英语课程。这些课程侧重于学术目的英语，并结合了主要研究型大学所需的研究生学习技能。这些单学分课程的每门课程学生都将获得学分/不学分，其中，对成绩满意的学生给予学分，而对成绩不满意的学生则不给予学分。如果所有要求都达到可接受的水平，并且学生至少参加了90％的班级会议，则将授予学分。
Any incoming GSAS student whose admission letter includes an English-language diagnostic exam requirement must take the ELP exam in order to determine if English language coursework is necessary during the first year of study. The diagnostic exam helps ELP accurately determine the level of English proficiency and whether a student will require language and communication support in order to be successful and have a positive overall experience at Brandeis. The exam takes place each August during GSAS Orientation and each January for midyear students. ELP will contact students with details prior to their program start date. <br><br>The courses offered will acculturate students to English-intensive graduate study and are in addition to the minimum of 12 credit hours of program coursework required each semester. Courses focus on English for academic purposes, integrated with graduate study skills needed at a major research university. Students receive credit/no credit for each of these one-credit courses, where credit is granted for satisfactory work and no credit is granted for unsatisfactory work. Credit is awarded if all requirements are met at an acceptable level and the student attends at least 90% of the class meetings.