California’s education code requires that all students (regardless of major) demonstrate a level of writing competency that the State expects of college graduates in order to earn a state-supported degree. At SJSU, this competency is typically measured by passage of the Writing Skills Test (WST) and then completion of a 100W writing course. In some cases, a student may demonstrate this writing competency by another means (alternative demonstration of competency):
1. If you are the primary writer of a refereed published article
2. If you have a degree from an accredited U.S. 4-year college or university
3. If you have met the state writing requirement while matriculated at another CSU campus
4. If you have taken and passed a course that SJSU has accepted as equivalent to the WST. (We are in the process of developing a course for this purpose to be offered in Summer 2010.)
If these conditions apply to you, please bring documentation to the Undergraduate Studies Petition Drop area in the Peer Mentor Center in the lobby of Clark Hall during their hours of operation. You may petition to have an alternative demonstration of writing competency satisfy the requirements of the WST. You may NOT petition to be excused from meeting the writing requirement, since this is a non-negotiable state requirement.
If you fail the WST once, you should continue to take additional writing courses, or engage in other tutorial or writing improvement work (e.g., visit the Learning Assistance Resource Center or the Writing Center) to bring your writing skills up to the required competency so that you can pass the WST. Doing this will help to ensure that you pass the WST the second time you take it.
If you fail the WST twice, you will not be allowed to take the WST a third time until you sign a release form and/or bring evidence that you have successfully completed LLD 98/99 or a recommended writing course to Undergraduate Studies (ADM 159) or the Testing Office (IS 228). The purpose is to prepare you to bring your writing competency up to passing level. For a list of recommended courses and a declaration form, please see below.
If you have failed the WST a third time, but can show by your test scores that your writing has improved to a level very close to passing (see below), you may petition to certify your writing competency by an alternative demonstration. You’re eligible to submit a petition for this option only if you have failed the WST at least three times, and:
1) You have received a 7 on the essay; or
2) You have received a score of at least 6 on the essay and 59 on the objective portion (not necessarily on the same attempt); or
3) You have received a score of at least 5 on the essay and 62 or higher on the objective portion (not necessarily on the same attempt).
If you do not meet one of the above criteria, you are not eligible for this option and your petition will be returned to you. If you do not qualify for this option, you must continue in other efforts on your own to improve your writing before you may petition for an alternative demonstration of writing competency. UGS recommends taking writing courses at SJSU or at community colleges, attending workshops in LARC (SSC 600) and/or the Writing Center (Clark Hall 126), and/or working with a tutor.
Instructions for submitting a petition for Alternative Demonstration of Writing Competency:
1) A petition form must be filled out in person at the Peer Mentor Center (located in the Academic Success Center in Clark Hall).
2) Bring your WST scores. (MySJSU – Academic History - Degree Progress – Campus Tab)
3) Bring your SJSU Unofficial Transcript. (MySJSU – Academic History – Unofficial Transcript). Please circle or highlight all of the writing classes, or classes that require substantial writing, you have completed.
4) If you are a transfer student, bring an unofficial transcript of any other College or University you have attended. Please circle or highlight all of the writing classes that you have completed at this/these institution(s).
5) Sign the part of the petition that indicates you have read and understood the requirements stated above.
After reviewing your petition, Undergraduate Studies will notify you of the decision within 3-4 weeks in an email.
Please note that all options for completing your degree at SJSU require that you meet the SJSU standards for writing competency.
List of recommended courses for AY 2009-10 if you've failed the WST twice (pdf)
Declaration of WST preparation (pdf)
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