English First-Year Rhetoric and Writing Program

Placement Requisites

To qualify for a bachelor’s degree from the University of Colorado Colorado Springs, a student must complete C01 and C02 core writing requirements and demonstrate writing portfolio competency (see below).

ESL or ELL Students Enrolled in ENGL 1300 + 1305 or ENGL 1310

The Rhetoric and Writing Program advises ESL students to enroll in ENGL 1310 sections with faculty who are qualified for ESL writing instruction for non-native speakers. Please contact the First-Year Rhetoric and Writing Program Director, Ann Amicucci, at (719) 255-4040 or aamicucc@uccs.edu for ESL placement and enrollment consultations and advising.

Students may meet core C01 and C02 writing requirements in the following ways: 

1.   Successfully complete ENGL 1300 + ENGL 1305 Stretch (C01 ENGL 1310 equivalent) and ENGL 1410 at UCCS and then demonstrate writing portfolio competency.

       a.  Any student admitted to the university is eligible to register for ENGL 1300.

       b.   To be admitted to ENGL 1305 Stretch, students must meet the following requirement:

1. Complete ENGL 1300 Stretch with a C- or better.

2.   Successfully complete ENGL 1310 and ENGL 1410 at UCCS and then demonstrate writing portfolio competency.

        a.   To be admitted to ENGL 1310, students must meet one of the following requirements:

1. Score 19-28 on the ENGLISH ACT.
2. Score 450-640 on the verbal SAT.
3. Students with high school diplomas or GEDs, but without English ACT or SAT scores, should contact the First-Year Rhetoric and Writing Program Placement Coordinator, Kacey Ross, at kross2@uccs.edu to inquire about completing a writing placement exercise. 
4. Early college or high school concurrent students without high school diplomas or GEDs must present an ENGL ACT score of 19-28 (UCCS on site ACT testing is available) or a SAT score of 450-640.

       b.   To be admitted to ENGL 1410, students must meet one of the following requirements:

1. Complete ENGL 1300 + 1305 Stretch with a C- or better, or complete ENGL 1310.
2. Score 29+ on the English ACT.
3. Score 650+ on the English SAT.
4. Score 4 on the CEEB Advanced Placement English Language and Composition Exam.
5. Score a 5 on the IB English Examination.
6. Successfully complete a first semester writing course (an approved equivalent to ENGL 1310) at an accredited college or university with a C- or better.
7. Score 50 and receive a ‘pass’ on the essay portion of the CLEP College Composition Modular Exam with essay. (Not an option for engineering majors.)

       c.  To demonstrate writing competency after C01 and C02 core writing, students must pass the Writing Portfolio Assessment (for more information, walk into the Portfolio Office in COLU 318 or email portfoli@uccs.edu). 

The “final” C02 rhetoric and writing course for each undergraduate program is listed below:
             1.  For LAS, SPA, and Nursing students: ENGL 1410
             2.  For BUS students: ENGL 2080 or INOV 2100
             3.  For EAS students: ENGL 2090 or INOV 2100
             4.  For PTW students: ENGL 2080 or 2090

Students may transfer C01 and C02 writing courses if approved as equivalents by successfully completing one or two semesters of writing at an accredited college or university with a C- or better. Transfer students must also demonstrate writing competency by passing the Writing Portfolio Assessment after completing their final writing course at UCCS or upon transfer of their complete C01 and C02 writing requirement from an accredited college or university.

Students must demonstrate competency by passing the Writing Portfolio Assessment at least 2 semesters prior to graduation. Portfolios should be submitted online by registering for PORT 3000 and following the email prompts. Students who choose not to demonstrate competency by earning a ‘pass’ on their writing portfolio may alternately meet the competency requirement by successfully completing ENGL 3010 or ENGL 3080 with a grade of C- or better. 

3.  Qualify for a waiver of writing coursework through the CEEB Advanced Placement Examination.

       a.  Score 4 to receive credit for ENGL 1310, successfully complete ENGL 1410, and then  either pass the Writing Portfolio Assessment or take ENGL 3010 or ENGL 3080 and earn a C- or better.
       b.  Score 5 to receive credit for both ENGL 1310 and 1410, and then  either pass the Writing Portfolio Assessment or take ENGL 3010 or ENGL 3080 and earn a C- or better.

4.   Qualify for a waiver of composition coursework through the International Baccalaureate higher-level English exam.

       a.  Score 5 to receive credit for ENGL 1310, successfully complete ENGL 1410, then pass the  Writing Portfolio Assessment.
       b.  Score 6 or 7 to receive credit for ENGL 1310 and 1410, then pass the  Writing Portfolio Assessment.

CLEP College Composition Modular Exam with Essays

Students who would like to earn CLEP credit for ENGL 1310 may take the College Composition Modular Exam with essays at PPCC Testing Center. For testing information, contact the University Testing Center in MH 105C, 719-255-3354. Not an option for Engineering majors.

Writing Portfolio Assessment

For information and applications, walk into the Portfolio Office in COB 318, call 719-255-4038, or email portfoli@uccs.edu. A $25.00 assessment fee will be billed to all students who submit a portfolio to demonstrate writing competency.

First-Year Rhetoric and Writing Course Fees

Students are billled $10.00 per course to cover support for computer classrooms and laptop sections of ENGL 1300, 1305, and 1410. Students are billed $15.00 per course to cover support for programmatic assessment of these courses.