Graduation Writing Requirement (GWR)
In accordance with CSU Executive Order 0665, all students must demonstrate competence in writing skills at the upper-division level as a requirement for the baccalaureate degree.
- Students may attempt to fulfill the GWR after they have completed 90 quarter units.
- Students shall meet the GWR via (1) an upper-division GWR-certified course, or (2) UNIV 401 Graduation Writing Requirement Portfolio. (See the Graduation Writing Requirement page of the Cal Poly Catalog for course listings.)
- Students who are undertaking a second baccalaureate degree will be deemed to have met the requirement if their first baccalaureate degree is from an institution of higher education accredited by a U.S. institutional accreditor.
- Certification of graduation writing competence shall be transferable from one CSU campus to another.
The GWR shall also be integrated into the demonstrated continuous improvement process of institutional accreditation.
More information on pathways to fulfilling the GWR may be obtained from the Office of Writing and Learning (Building 26, Room 112; 805-756-2066), or on Cal Poly's GWR webpage.
Sources:
CSU Executive Order: EO 0665 Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement Determination of Competence in English. Revised 22 August 2023.
Academic Senate Resolution: AS-858-18 "Resolution on Course Criteria for GWR-Certified Upper-Division Courses Across the Curriculum" (PDF). Adopted 27 November 2018.
Cal Poly Website: Graduation Writing Requirement
Updated: 10/26/23