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Note: This content has been changed, please see the Errata chapter for information.
In addition to the lower-division General Education requirements for writing, the California State University system requires that all students must demonstrate competency in writing skills as a requirement for graduation and to receive a baccalaureate, master’s, or doctoral degree. This requirement was implemented system-wide in 1977. Students must satisfy the University Writing Skills Requirement (UWSR) in order to receive a degree from Cal State East Bay unless they are exempt by one of the following criteria:
- Previously satisfied the UWSR at Cal State East Bay or at another CSU campus, Cal State East Bay will accept official certification of completion if the entire requirement, as specified by that CSU campus, was satisfied and the student was a matriculated student at that campus at the time. On some CSU campuses, the requirement is called the “Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR).”
- Graduated from any one of the CSU campuses; unless it is noted on the transcript that the UWSR (or GWAR) was not satisfied.
- Received an essay score of 4.5 or higher on the GMAT or GRE or an essay score of 53 or higher on the CBEST.
Undergraduate students are required to begin steps to satisfy the University Writing Skills Requirement after completing 60 semester units. Students who do not enroll in an appropriate course or register to take the Writing Skills Test in their first semester after completing 60 units will have a registration hold placed. The hold will be lifted as the student progresses towards completion of this requirement. Note: Undergraduate students cannot satisfy this requirement before completing 60 units. For undergraduate students, completion of GE Area A2 and ENGL 200 or another approved second composition course, which are graduation degree requirements, is also required before attempting to satisfy the UWSR.
To satisfy the requirement at Cal State East Bay, students may do one of the following:
- Option One: Register for and pass the Writing Skills Test. See Writing Skills Test (Option One) below.
- Option Two: Enroll in and pass a first-tier writing course (ENGL 300 or ENGL 301 ) and possibly a second-tier course, as well. See Course (Option Two) below.
Writing Skills Test (Option One)
The Writing Skills Test (WST) consists of an analytic essay that requires students to demonstrate that they can think and write critically. A score of Clear Competence (8) is needed to meet the requirement. Students who do not meet receive the Clear Competence designation on the first attempt have only one opportunity to take it again; a score of Clear Competence on the second attempt satisfies the requirement. If both tests are scored as “Limited Competence (6)”, they will be required to take the course option (see below). If one or both scores is “Developing Competence (7)”, they need only take a second-tier course to satisfy the UWSR (see below).
Note: There is a fee for the WST. See the Fees & Financial Services chapter for more information.
Course (Option Two)
ENGL 300 and ENGL 301 are the first-tier writing courses designed to help students meet the University Writing Skills Requirement. Students who have not attempted the WST or those who have taken the Writing Skills Test (WST) and have received Limited Competence (6) must take either ENGL 300 or ENGL 301 and perhaps a second-tier writing course as well. Students who have not taken the WST twice may take it even when enrolled in a writing skills course. Generally speaking, ENGL 300 is intended for native speakers of English, while ENGL 301 is intended for non-native speakers. Based on end-of-course portfolio evaluation scores, at the end of the first-tier course they will be advised as to their next step, which will involve one of the following: they may be found to have met the UWSR requirement altogether; they may be directed to enroll in a second-tier course; or, they may be directed to repeat the first tier course.
Generally, two second-tier writing courses are regularly offered: ENGL 302 and MKTG 305 . Students who passed the quarter-based equivalents to these courses (ENGL 3003 and MKTG 3495) prior to fall 2000 may not have met the UWSR. For more information on these courses, contact the individual department. Courses approved for second-tier writing are listed here: Second Tier Courses . Students who pass a second-tier writing course with a C- or better (or “CR” if taken as CR/NC) have satisfied the UWSR.
Students who have taken the first-tier writing course three times consecutively, have not passed, and have a letter of good faith effort from their most recent first-tier instructor may apply to the Dean of Academic Programs and Services for a waiver of the UWSR. If a waiver is granted, the student’s permanent record will note that they were allowed to graduate without having satisfied the UWSR. Students who do not satisfy the requirement and do not have a waiver approved will not be allowed to graduate. Contact the Dean of Academic Programs and Services for information on this waiver at (510) 885-2990.
If a student receives a grade of “D+” or “D” in a second-tier writing course (taken Fall Quarter, 2000 or later), they may appeal to the Dean of Academic Programs and Services for a waiver of the UWSR. If a waiver is granted, their permanent record will note that they were allowed to graduate without having satisfied the UWSR. Students who do not satisfy the requirement and do not have a waiver approved will not be allowed to graduate. Contact the Dean of Academic Programs and Services for information on this waiver at (510) 885-2990.
Students who have a verified disability and would like to request accommodations to assist them in satisfying this requirement should contact the Accessibility Services in the Library Complex 2440 or call (510) 885-3868 (phone/TTY).
For more information on meeting the University Writing Skills Requirement, see the Testing Office website or call (510) 885-3661.
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