Writing Requirements at the University of California
All University of California students must fulfill two writing requirements: the UC Entry Level Writing Requirement (ELWR) and the College Writing Requirement.
The Entry Level Writing Requirement
The University of California requires all undergraduate students to fulfill the Entry Level Writing Requirement. Students can fulfill the ELWR either by achieving certain test scores or by passing an approved community college course prior to matriculating at UC San Diego. Those who have not fulfilled the ELWR via one of these methods must take the Writing Placement Process (WPP).
Through the WPP, students will be placed in College Writing and thus will have fulfilled the ELWR, or they will be placed in an Analytical Writing Program’s ELWR-fulfilling course – either an accelerated one-quarter writing course (AWP 3) or a two-course sequence (AWP 4A-4B). Students who are placed into AWP courses work on the analytical reading and writing skills they will need to engage with the more complex academic texts assigned in College Writing. Once students complete AWP 3 or AWP 4B with a C or better, they will have fulfilled the ELWR.
The College Writing Requirement
Once the ELWR is fulfilled, all students at the University of California must fulfill a second writing requirement that consists of completing at least two university writing courses. These writing courses are offered by UC San Diego’s eight different colleges. While each College Writing Program has a different focus in terms of content, they all aim to further develop students’ critical reading, thinking, and writing abilities as a way of preparing students for the more complicated assignments they will encounter later in their academic careers.
Here are the College Writing Programs:
Revelle College: Humanities Program (HUM)
Muir College: Muir College Writing Program (MCWP)
Marshall College: Dimensions of Culture Program (DOC)
Warren College: Warren College Writing Program (WCWP)
Roosevelt College: Making of the Modern World Program (MMW)
Sixth College: Culture, Art, and Technology Program (CAT)
Seventh College: Synthesis Program (SYN)
Eighth College: Critical Community Engagement Program (CCE)
Ideal Pathways Toward Fulfilling UC Writing Requirements
The tables below present the ideal pathways for undergraduate students to complete their UC Writing Requirements.
If you're placed in AWP, you must follow the path below and enroll in your AWP course in the first quarter it is offered. Please refer to AWP Course Enrollment Instructions for details. If you have questions on what other courses to take alongside with your AWP course, you can refer to the New Triton Advising site, consult with the Academic Plan tool, and/or contact your college academic advisors via the Virtual Advising Center (VAC)
Pathways (download a PDF file)
Note: College Writing course offerings in these tables are subject to change.
*Though Muir and Warren Colleges typically offer writing courses every quarter, due to the late enrollment times of first-year students, it can be difficult to secure a spot in College Writing courses. However, once students fulfill the ELWR, they should attempt to enroll in College Writing in their first pass.
Updated 1/27/2026