Given the uncertainty of COVID-19, students were given the option to change from a letter grade to Credit/No Credit during the spring 2020, fall 2020, spring 2021, summer 2021, fall 2021, and spring 2022 terms. Please visit the Grading Basis: Credit/No Credit (CR/NC) web page for more information.

Undergraduate Students: A grade of Credit is awarded for work equivalent to a letter grade of C (2.0) or better. No Credit is awarded for work equivalent to letter grades less than 2.0 grade points (C- through F).

Graduate Students: A grade of Credit is awarded for work equivalent to a letter grade of B (3.0) or better. No Credit is awarded for work equivalent to letter grades less than 3.0 grade points (B- through F).

The Writing Placement Assessment (WPA) was temporarily suspended due to COVID-19 during the spring 2020, fall 2020, and spring 2021 semesters.

Continuing students who will have 60 units earned by the end of summer 2021 can enroll directly into an approved upper division writing course. Completing the approved upper division writing course with a C or better will satisfy the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR).

New Fall 2021 Transfer Admits will be able to enroll directly into an approved upper division writing course to fulfill the GWAR or can choose to take the WPA. Completing the approved upper division writing course with a C or better will satisfy the GWAR. If the student elects to take the WPA, they will be required to complete the necessary writing courses required based on the WPA score.

Continuing students who will have 60 units earned by the end of fall 2021 will be required to take the WPA in fall 2021 or spring 2022 and must do so before fall 2022 registration in April 2022. A WPA hold will be placed on the student record until the WPA has been completed.

Frequently Asked Questions

I was supposed to take the WPA but it was canceled. Can I just take the writing course?

If you are an upper division student and were supposed to take the WPA during spring 2020, fall 2020, or spring 2021, you will be able to register directly into one of the approved upper division writing courses to satisfy the GWAR.

My WPA requirement was impacted by COVID-19 and therefore I did not have to take the WPA. I'm not sure whether I should register for RWS 280/LING 281 or an approved upper division writing course. How do I know which one I should register for?

Please contact Jamie Madden at [email protected] in the Rhetoric and Writing Studies (RWS) department for guidance on which course(s) would be best to register for.

I chose to enroll in RWS 280/LING 281 this semester. What happens if I receive a C- or lower grade?

You can use course forgiveness if you decide to repeat RWS 280/LING 281 to strengthen your writing skills or you can register for an approved upper division writing course to satisfy the GWAR. If you voluntarily attempt the WPA during spring 2021 or thereafter and score a 6 or lower, you will be required to take RWS 280/LING 281 until you have successfully completed the course.

I am a strong writer and I believe I would pass the WPA but I'm not required to take it.

The WPA is now available and voluntary for those not required to take it due to the COVID-19 impact. You can choose to attempt the WPA; however you will be required to take the appropriate courses based on your score.

I took the WPA during or right before spring 2020 and received an 8 and was planning to retake the WPA to try to improve my score to earn a 10 but the WPA was canceled due to COVID-19. What should I do now?

The WPA is now available. If you did not already attempt an approved upper division writing course, you may attempt the WPA again.

I took the WPA during or right before spring 2020 and received a 6 and was supposed to take RWS 280 the following semester. I was unable to attempt the WPA for a second time due to COVID-19. Can I register for an upper division writing course or am I required to take RWS 280 first?

Yes, you may register for an approved upper division writing course to satisfy the (GWAR) due to the COVID-19 impact on the WPA. If you voluntarily re-attempt the WPA during spring 2021 or thereafter and score a 6 or lower, you will be required to take RWS 280/LING 281 until you have successfully completed the course.

Can I get a refund for the WPA test since I already registered and paid for the test before it was suspended due to COVID-19?

Please review the SDSU Testing Services website and the Frequently Asked Questions regarding your canceled registration for the WPA. Contact SDSU Testing Services at [email protected] if you have any additional questions.

Which courses are the approved upper division writing courses that I can register for?

Please check your degree evaluation to determine if you are required to complete a specific upper division writing course. If you are not required to enroll in a specific course, you can choose from the list of approved writing courses from the University Catalog (refer to the Graduation Requirements section of the catalog).

I was granted an exception to not require the WPA due to COVID-19 but I really want to try to take the WPA. Do I have to take the upper division writing course immediately?

You are not required to complete the GWAR immediately. However, if you are close to graduating and do not have sufficient time to attempt the WPA voluntarily, we recommend you complete the GWAR as soon as possible.

I passed an upper division writing course with a "C" or better. Can I still take RWS 280 or LING 281?

Yes. As long as you have not yet passed RWS 280 or LING 281 with a "C" or better, you may enroll in the course, even if you have already completed an approved upper division writing course.

The WPA is now being offered. Am I required to take the WPA?

Beginning in spring 2021, the WPA is offered as an option. New fall 2021 transfer admits are not required to take the WPA. Current, matriculated SDSU students completing a minimum of 60 units prior to fall 2021 are not required to take the WPA. If you are a new fall 2021 transfer admit or a continuing SDSU student who has earned a minimum of 60 units prior to fall 2021, you may elect to take the WPA. The WPA score will inform how you will satisfy the GWAR. Students who earn a 6 will be required to complete the appropriate total of 2 writing courses; students who earn an 8 will need one of the approved upper division writing courses, and students who earn a 10 will satisfy the GWAR (unless their major requires completion of one of the approved upper division writing courses). Continuing students who will earn a minimum of 60 units by the end of fall 2021 will be required to take the WPA before registering for the spring 2022 semester. Please review the SDSU Testing Services website for more information on registering for the WPA.

Due to COVID-19, study abroad programs have been suspended temporarily. If you are impacted by the study abroad suspensions, then the University will offer flexibility to you. If you have an international experience or study abroad requirement in your major or minor, please speak to the advisor in your academic department to determine options.

Additional information is available on the Study Abroad FAQs (see right-hand screen for FAQs and expand the Study Abroad accordion).

SDSU official and unofficial transcripts will include the a statement under the spring 2020, fall 2020, spring 2021, summer 2021, fall 2021, and spring 2022 terms to reflect the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on academic policies.

For more information about ordering transcripts, please review the Office of the Registrar Transcript web page.