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The Composition Program provides courses to fulfill the university’s first-year writing requirement. All students need to take two classes to complete the General Education: Written and Oral Communication requirement for graduation. One of these two classes must be WRT 105, ESL 105, or WRT 110.
The Writing Placement Survey is designed to help each incoming student enroll in the class most suited to his or her individual needs. Eligible students will receive survey instructions by email on a Thursday after the admissions confirmation deposit has been paid. We recommend that you meet with your advisor as they can provide the most support, but if there are questions, please contact Careen Szarmach at szarmach@ccsu.edu and include your name and student ID.
*Test cycles run from March – August for Fall semester and October - January for Spring semester.
A: We offer several expository writing courses, which all count toward the 6-credit Written and Oral Communication Requirement. These courses are designed to acclimate you to the expectations of college-level writing. They will also help you develop confidence as an academic writer and prepare you for upper-level research writing in your major.
- WRT 100: Fundamentals of Composition introduces basic skills needed for effective college-level writing, like developing a thesis, responding to readings, knowing your target audience, and writing clear sentences. WRT 100 breaks down the writing process into small steps to teach you how to write a college-level paper in WRT 110 and other classes. You will write a series of small assignments that you will put together into one final, longer essay. Students who take WRT 100 will earn 3 credits and will need to take WRT 105 or 110 the next semester, so they will have two semesters of first-year writing classes. WRT 100 is a great option for students who would benefit from the maximum level of support with writing that CCSU offers.
- ESL 100: Fundamentals of Composition for English Learner is the same as WRT 100, but it is taught by an instructor who is skilled at helping English language learners improve their English. Students who take WRT 100 will earn 3 credits and will need to take WRT 105 or 110 the next semester, so they will have two semesters of first-year writing classes. WRT 100 is a great option for students who would benefit from the maximum level of support with writing that CCSU offers.
- WRT 105 Enhanced Introduction to College Writing prepares students for college-level academic writing they will do in the rest of their classes at CCSU. It teaches you strategies for reading complex essays and articles and for writing about them. You will also learn research skills, including finding sources, evaluating their credibility, and citing them. You will write 3 major essays using a process of smaller steps, and you will reflect on what you have learned. WRT 105 is taken with a workshop class, WRT 105P, which provides extra support from the professor. The class is exactly the same as WRT 110, except that it includes a workshop section to reinforce lessons and give students more time with their professor. Students who take WRT 105 will earn 5 credits total between WRT 105 (3 credits) and WRT 105P (2 credits) and will have one semester of a first-year writing class. WRT 105 and 105P is a great option for students who need support with their writing but do not need two full classes dedicated to writing instruction.
- ESL 105 Enhanced Introduction to College Writing for English Learners is the same as WRT 105 and 105P, but it is taught by an instructor who is skilled at helping English language learners improve their English. Students who take ESL 105 will earn 5 credits total between ESL 105 (3 credits) and ESL 105P (2 credits) and will have one semester of a first-year writing class. ESL 105 and 105P is a great option for students who need support with your writing but do not need two full classes dedicated to writing instruction.
- WRT 110 Introduction to College Writing prepares students for college-level academic writing they will do in the rest of their classes at CCSU. It teaches you strategies for reading complex essays and articles and for writing about them. You will also learn research skills, including finding sources, evaluating their credibility, and citing them. You will write 3 major essays using a process of smaller steps, and you will reflect on what you have learned. Students who take WRT 110 will earn 3 credits and will have one semester of a first-year writing class. WRT 110 is a great option for students who need less support with writing.
A: You must take the writing placement survey unless at least one of the following criteria is true:
- Your SAT Embedded Reading and Writing score is 590 or higher.
- Your ACT English Composite score is 23 or higher.
- You are transferring WRT 110-specific credit to Central from a previous institution (Note:ENG 1xx credit insufficient>)
- You earned a 3 or higher on the English Language & Composition AP exam or the English Literature & Composition AP Exam
- You earned a 4 or higher on the IB English A1 HL Exam
- You have been admitted to the Honors Program
Students who have course credit that transfers as WRT 110 (not WRT 1xx), who are in the Honors Program, or who have successfully completed the Summer Bridges Program do not need to take the placement exam. If you meet the criteria to take the test and have not received an invitation or if you have received an invitation but meet the criteria for exemption, please email Careen Szarmach at szarmach@ccsu.edu with your full name, contact information, student ID# and bluenet ID (if you have them), and an explanation of why you need to be enrolled/exempted.
Q: My test scores aren't in that range, but I still received the email!
A: Please ensure that Central has received your transcripts and test scores; you received the letter because, most likely, we have not yet gotten your scores. If your scores were properly received and you are either above or below the score threshold, please email Careen Szarmach at szarmach@ccsu.edu with your full name, contact information, and student ID# and bluenet ID (if you have them).
Q: I have AP Credits or IB Credits; do I still need to take the Writing Placement Survey?
A: A score of 3 or higher on the English Literature and Composition Advanced Placement Exam or the English Language and Composition Advanced Placement Exam will award WRT 110 credit. A score of 4 or higher on the IB English A1 HL Exam also awards WRT 110 credit. Please note: It is your responsibility to ensure that your test results have been received and processed by Central, and the English Department is not able to do that for you or give you any credit until your exam scores have been officially received by the university.
Q: I have taken a class at another college/university and I want transfer credit for WRT 110; how do I do this?
A: If you have taken a class at a member of ConnSCU (one of the other regional CT universities or a CT community college), please visit this page to find out what transfer credit a class will grant: https://webapps.ccsu.edu/CTAB/CCSU_TransCourses.aspx. If you went to a school not on that list, please contact your advisor for further information. Please remember that it is your responsibility to ensure that all transferring credits are received by Central; you will not be given any credit or exam exemption until they are processed.
Q: I took/am taking the UCONN ECE course - do I still need to take the placement survey?
A: If you successfully complete the program then no, you do not need to take the placement exam. You need to inform your advisor and to ensure that your credit is sent to and received by Central to ensure that you are properly enrolled and that your record is updated.
Q: I am in the honors program. Do I still need to take the placement survey?
A: No. Please contact your advisor to ensure that your record accurately reflects this.
Q: What if I don't care what writing class I get into? Do I still need to take the survey?
A: Yes! And you should care about the class you take as it's a crucial component of your college career!
II. How does the Placement Survey work? What do I need to do to prepare?
A: The survey takes about 30 minutes. We recommend you find a quiet space to work where your WIFI connection is stable and secure. Partial survey results will not produce a placement.
Read all the survey information carefully. Answer all questions honestly and to the best of your ability. If you just click through the survey without providing thoughtful answers, you will not receive an accurate placement, which may cause problems for you later on.
III. I completed the survey and got my results! When will I be able to register for my class?
A: Congratulations! Your placement will be entered into the Registration system within 1 week, at which point you will be cleared to register for the course.
A: ESL 100 and 105 are exactly the same as WRT 100 and 105, but they are taught by instructors who can offer additional language support and accommodations. You have the choice to enroll in one of these ESL courses or WRT 100 and 105
A: If you would like to challenge your placement, please contact Careen Szarmach at szarmach@ccsu.edu and include your name and student ID. She will arrange to have you speak with a Writing Faculty member.