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Writing Competency & Course Requirements

To qualify for a bachelor's degree from the College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, a student must complete course requirements and demonstrate competency by successfully passing the writing portfolio assessment.  Students may meet these requirements in the following ways:

  1. Successfully complete Engl. 131 and 141 at CU-The Springs, and then pass the portfolio assessment.
    1. To be admitted to Engl. 131, students must meet one of the following requirements
      1. Score 19-28 on the English ACT.
      2. Score 450-640 on the English SAT.
      3. Complete Engl. 099 or an equivalent course completed elsewhere, but not counted toward graduation.
      4. Students without ACT or SAT scores, must submit a writing sample to the Writing Program, Columbine 1041 for placement purposes.

    2. To be admitted to Engl. 141, students must meet one of the following requirements:
      1. Complete English 131 at CU-The Springs.
      2. Score 29+ on the English ACT.
      3. Score 650+ on the English SAT.
      4. Score a 4 on the CEEB Advanced Placement English Language and Composition Exam.
      5. Score a 4 on the CEEB Advanced Placement Language and Literature Exam
      6. Score a 5 on the IB English Examination
      7. Successfully complete a first-semester composition course (equivalent to Engl. 131) at an accredited college or university with a C- or better.
      8. Score 67% on the CLEP Freshman College Composition Exam with Essay, and receive a "pass" on the essay portion.
    3. To demonstrate writing competency after course completion, students must pass the writing portfolio assessment administered by the Writing Program.  Students who choose not to demonstrate competency by earning a pass on their writing portfolio may meet the competency requirement by successfully completing a 300-level, advanced composition course at CU-The Springs with a C- or better.  The "final" composition course for each undergraduate program is listed below:
      1. For LAS and Nursing students: ENGL 141
      2. For BUS students: ENGL 307 or COMM 324
      3. For EAS students: ENGL 307 or 309
  2. Students may transfer equivalent composition coursework taken elsewhere by successfully completing one or two semesters of composition at an accredited college or university with a C- or better.  Transfer students must also demonstrate competency by passing the writing portfolio assessment after completing their final composition course at CU-The Springs, or upon transfer of their complete composition requirements from an accredited college or university.  Students must demonstrate competency within 30 hours of completion or transfer of their final composition course.  Students who do not pass the portfolio assessment within 30 hours of completion of their final composition course must complete an additional writing course at the 300-level, a course beyond those stipulated within their degree plan.

  3. Qualify for a waiver of composition coursework through the CEEB Advanced Placement Examination.
    1. Score 4 on the AP English Language and Composition to receive credit for Engl.131, successfully complete Engl. 141, and then pass the portfolio assessment.
    2. Score 5 on the AP English Language and Composition to receive credit for both Engl. 131 and Engl.141, then pass the portfolio assessment.
    3. Score 4 on the AP English Composition and Literature to receive credit for Engl.131, successfully complete Engl. 141, and then pass the portfolio assessment.
    4. Score 5 on the AP English Composition and Literature, and then pass the portfolio assessment.
  4. Qualify for a waiver of composition coursework through the International Baccalaureate higher-level English exam.
    1. Score 5 to receive credit for Engl.131, successfully complete Engl.141, then pass the portfolio assessment.
    2. Score 6 to 7 to receive credit for both Engl. 131 and 141, and then pass the portfolio assessment.

To take the writing portfolio assessment, contact the Writing Program, Columbine 1046, 262-4038.   Students who would like to take the CLEP Freshman College Composition exam to earn credit for Engl. 131 should contact the Testing Office, 262-3255.  CLEP scores will be accepted for English 131 credit beginning in Summer 2001. Students must take the CLEP exam entitled: Freshman College Composition plus essay.   No other CLEP exam in composition is accepted at UCCS.  This exam is given at Pikes Peak Community College Testing Center, phone #540-7115.