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Graduation Writing Requirement

The Graduation Writing Requirement (GWR) is a CSU-mandated program designed to ensure that students can write proficiently before they enter the professional work force. All Cal Poly students who are seeking a degree, including Master's degrees and teaching credentials, must fulfill the GWR. This degree requirement must be fulfilled before a diploma can be awarded.

  • Undergraduate students with 90 or more completed units must attempt to fulfill the GWR during the junior year and should do so before their senior year.
  • Graduate and postbaccalaureate students must attempt to fulfill the requirement during their first quarter in residence at Cal Poly.

There are two ways to fulfill the GWR:

  1. Pass the Writing Proficiency Exam (WPE) OR
  2. Pass a GWR-approved upper-division course with a grade of C or better based on multiple writing tasks assigned throughout the course. Students must inform the instructor teaching the course that they are taking it to fulfill the GWR.

For additional questions about the GWR in general, please visit the GWR FAQ page. For additional questions about the WPE, please visit the WPE page.

 

Related Content

Upcoming Events

Writing and Learning Support Consultations 

September 22 - December 11

WPE Dates, 2019-2020 

October 1, 2, and 5
January 25, 28, and 29
April 21, 22, and 25

*For WPE preparatory resources, click here.

Academic Preparation and Placement

Cal Poly adheres to the CSU's placement practice, which evaluates multiple measures of pre-college academic performance to determine placement in first-year English and math courses. Cal Poly also offers summer support courses in compliance with the CSU's Early Start Program to help incoming first-year students prepare for a successful college experience. For more information, click here.

Writing and Learning Center

The university's Writing and Learning Center intends to ensure optimal educational opportunities for diverse student populations through peer-to-peer support in reading comprehension, writing, test preparation, and various subjects in addition to academic support workshops. Students may work with a peer consultant in Kennedy Library, 111C, and multiple University Housing locations. For more information, click here.

Graduation Writing Requirement

All degree-seeking Cal Poly students, including a Master's degree or teaching credential, must fulfill the GWR.  Undergraduate students must complete 90 units before they can attempt to fulfill the requirement and should do so before the senior year. The two pathways to GWR completion are 1) in an approved upper-division course and 2) via the Writing Proficiency Exam (WPE). For more information, click here.  

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