In May 1976, the CSU Board of Trustees established a system-wide policy that all degree candidates (bachelor’s and master’s) must demonstrate writing competence as part of their graduation requirement.  Students must be upper-division (90 or more quarter units) or graduate students before they demonstrate their competence.

Students have two options for meeting this requirement: (1) achieve 65% or higher on a university-wide proficiency examination; or (2) receive a grade of “credit” or of “C” or better in any of the following courses: Comm 304, 306 or 311; Engl 305, 310, or 311; Hist 300; Adm 510.

Transfer students who believe they have met this requirement must submit a transcript, a course description, and a syllabus from an equivalent course to the Composition Coordinator for evaluation.

The university-wide proficiency examination, open to all students who have earned at least 90 quarter units of undergraduate college credit and have completed English 110 (the Basic Subjects requirement in English) with a grade of “C” (2.0) or higher, is given at least three times a year.  Information concerning dates and registration for the examination can be obtained from the Testing Office (Health Center, 654-3373).  Students will be required to provide evidence (printout of transcript or degree evaluation) to verify upper-division standing and completion of English 110 (or equivalent) with a grade of “C” or higher prior to registering for the examination.  Eligible students may attempt the examination more than once.

In compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, individual arrangements and accommodations for testing and course work will be made for handicapped students to meet the GWAR.  These arrangements will be made in such a manner as to assure that the English competence of handicapped students be tested and not the limitations imposed by their disabilities.

Examination results will be mailed to each registrant who completes the examination. Results will be sent to the addresses registrants provide on the day of the examination.

Brochures with more information on the GWAR may be obtained from the Testing Center (Health Center, 654-3373), Campus Composition Coordinator (FT 102B, 654-3083), the Department of English (FT 202A, 654-2144), Undergraduate Studies Office (EDUC 242, 654-3420), and all deans’ offices.