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Department of English

Writing Competency Requirements For Graduation

No student will be awarded a bachelor's degree (B.A. or B.S.) unless he or she can demonstrate competency in writing.  Students may demonstrate such competency in either of the following ways:

  1. By passing English 131, fulfilling the other composition course requirements stipulated by their college, and then passing the writing competency portfolio assessment administered after the completion of their final 3 credit hours of composition coursework.  Students must demonstrate competency within 30 hours of the completion of their final composition course.

  2. By completing their composition requirements at a major two-year or four-year institution (C- or better), and upon transferring to CU-The Springs, passing the writing competency portfolio assessment administered by the Writing Program.  Students must demonstrate competency by earning a pass on the portfolio within 30 hours of the successful transfer of their final composition course. 

    Students who do not pass the competency within 30 hours of their transfer of their final composition course must alternately complete an advanced writing course at the 300-level.  This course will be in addition to other 300-level composition courses stipulated by their college as part of their degree requirements.  
The "final" composition course for each undergraduate program is listed below:
    • For LAS and Nursing students: ENGL 141
    • For BUS students: ENGL 307 or COMM 324
    • For EAS students: ENGL 309
For further information about the writing portfolio assessment, see the Schedule of Courses, or contact the Writing Program, 262:4038 or 262:4040. 

Transfer students who have completed all composition course requirements before enrolling at CU-The Springs should contact the Writing Program concerning the portfolio assessment during their first semester in order to progress toward graduation in a timely manner.