Placement FAQs

Placement FAQs

Rhetoric & Writing Placement FAQs

Look here if you have a question about your placement into the First-Year Rhetoric & Writing Program.

What course do I need to take?

For your first core writing course:

UCCS students choose among three options for their first core writing course. Watch this video to learn about your options. Any of the options will fulfill the first core writing requirement for your degree, and all three options are designed for incoming college students.

The courses offer different amounts of built-in support and move at different paces. Take the Writing Placement Survey to get a personalized recommendation about which courses are a good fit for you. If you have questions about the courses, email FYWPlace@uccs.edu.

For your second core writing course:

  • Take ENGL 1410 if you your major is in: 
    • The College of Education 
    • The School of Public Affairs
    • The College of Letters Arts and Sciences* 
    • The Beth-El College of Nursing and Health Sciences major* 
  • Take TCID 2080 if your major is in the College of Business 
  • Take TCID 2090 if your major is in the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences 
  • Take INOV 2100 if you are a Bachelor of Innovation major

*Most Beth-El College of Nursing & Health Sciences take ENGL 1410. All College of Letters, Arts & Sciences students except Technical Communication and Information Design majors take ENGL 1410. Students should check their degree plan or speak to an academic advisor for more information.

I took a writing course before I transferred to UCCS. Can I use it for one of my required writing courses at UCCS?

When you transferred to UCCS, you should have submitted your transcript to have coursework from your previous institution(s) evaluated. Specific courses automatically equate to your required core writing courses. If you believe you should have been given credit for a prior college English course, contact your Academic Advisor (advising@uccs.edu) or the First-Year Rhetoric and Writing Placement Coordinator (FYWPlace@uccs.edu).

I’m a Junior or Senior, so do I still need to take the core writing classes—since they are “First-Year” courses?

Yes. Writing courses are graduation requirements for all UCCS students. If you’re a transfer student who is bringing in credit for writing courses, be sure you talk to your academic advisor to find out which courses you still need to take to fulfill your graduation requirements.

Can I complete my first and second core writing requirements at the same time?

No. Your first core writing requirement (ENGL 1310, 1308, or 1300 followed by 1305) is a prerequisite for your second core writing requirement (ENGL 1410, TCID 2080, TCID 2090, or INOV 2100). It is not possible to fulfill these degree requirements at the same time.

Can I test out of my First-Year Rhetoric and Writing requirements?

Yes. It is possible to test out of these courses. For more information, visit UCCS’s Credit by Exam webpage and speak to your Academic Advisor about your options.

I took one of the courses listed under “second core writing requirement” and then changed my major. My new major degree plan lists a different course. Do I need to take the second core writing requirement listed for my new major?

Yes. Different degrees on campus require specific coursework for completion. If you changed your major and now need a different course, you’ll need to take the required course. For example, if you started as a Business major and took ENGL 1310 and ENGL 2080 but then changed to a Philosophy major, you will still need to take ENGL 1410.

What will I learn about in my first core writing course?

Your first core writing course will introduce you to academic reading and writing processes. You will develop critical reading, writing, and thinking skills through class discussion, rhetorical analysis of texts, and writing analytical essays. The course will focus on writing process theory and rhetorical theory. For more information, see the First Core Writing Requirement webpage.

What is the difference between ENGL 1300, 1308, and 1310?

These courses cover the same content at different paces. They have different levels of built-in support for students. More information about the differences is available on this webpage.

What will I learn in ENGL 1410?

This course introduces students to in-depth academic inquiry and argument. Students write in-depth researched arguments on substantive issues, requiring writers to engage in rhetorically focused extended inquiry to examine their chosen issue in its full complexity.

What do I need to do to finish the writing portfolio?

The First-Year Rhetoric and Writing Program is not the same as the Writing Portfolio. For information about the Writing Portfolio visit the Writing Portfolio webpage or email portfoli@uccs.edu.

Additional Questions

If you have additional questions regarding placement into UCCS’s First-Year Rhetoric and Writing courses, contact the First-Year Rhetoric and Writing Placement Coordinator at FYWPlace@uccs.edu.