Composition Course Sequences and Placement Criteria

Composition Course Sequences and Placement Criteria

Policy Statement

SECTION I: COMPOSITION COURSE SEQUENCES

1. In alignment with Colorado Commission on Higher Education Statewide Transfer and gtPathways Policy, Fort Lewis College requires all undergraduate students seeking a baccalaureate degree to acquire competencies in reading, critical thinking, and written communication by completing two courses qualified for State of Colorado gtPathways designation in Written Communication or their equivalents at non-Colorado institutions.
2. Students must complete a two-course sequence, either:
   1. Introductory Writing (CO1) followed by Intermediate Composition (CO2)
      OR
   2. Intermediate Composition (CO2) followed by Advanced Writing (CO3). 
3. Students are placed into a writing sequence based on placement criteria set forth in the Appendix to this policy.
4. Students are expected to challenge themselves by taking the most rigorous sequence of courses for which they are qualified; however, students who began the CO1-CO2 sequence prior to their enrollment at Fort Lewis College as evidenced by institutional, national credit by exam, or transfer credit may complete that sequence even if they would have qualified for the CO2-CO3 sequence based on test scores.
5. Students with institutional, national credit by exam, or transfer credit for both CO1 and CO2 courses or CO2 and CO3 courses will have met the Written Communications requirement regardless of when the courses were completed. 

SECTION II: PLACEMENT CRITERIA

1. Placement criteria will be based on institutional research on student success and will comply with Colorado Commission on Higher Education Statewide Remedial Education, Supplemental Academic Instruction, and Transfer and gtPathways policies.
2. Placement criteria may be recommended for revision at any time by the Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs, subject to the approval of the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs.
3. Students who are not seeking completion of a baccalaureate degree but wish to enroll in CO1, CO2, or CO3 courses must meet published placement criteria.
4. Individual petitions for exceptions to the placement criteria may be made to the Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs.
5. Placements are updated on a regular schedule to take account of expired test scores and coursework.

III. Responsibilities 

For following the policy: All undergraduate students

For enforcement of the policy: Registrar and Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management

For determination of placement criteria:  Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs

For oversight of the policy: Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

For notification of policy: Policy Librarian

For procedures implementing the policy: Registrar and Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs

V. Appendix

Appendix - Placement Criteria