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Writing Intensive (WI) Course Requirements

An explanation of the Writing Intensive (WI) course requirements for various student populations.

See WAC recommendations for students regarding WI course requirements

York's WI Requirements

The York College Bulletin on Writing Intensive (WI) Course Requirements states that:

Students who entered the College (or were readmitted*) in Fall 2001 or later must meet the Writing Intensive course requirement passed by the York College Senate by taking three Writing Intensive-designated (WI) courses. Writing intensive courses are content courses in a specific discipline which require significant amounts of writing, and also focus on the genres and the writing process appropriate to the subject, including opportunities for revision.

Students must complete two requirements:

  1. two WI courses in the lower division of the curriculum (at the 100 or 200 level**), and
  2. one WI course in the upper division of the curriculum (at the 300 level or above) within the major.

Every student, including transfer students, is required to complete one upper division WI course within each declared major. If the major has no upper division WI course, the student must complete a WI course (outside of their major) chosen in consultation with their major advisor. The department chair will need to notify Writing Across the Curriculum (WAC) of this advised course that will satisfy the upper WI requirement. Writing Across the Curriculum, as part of its charge from the York College Senate, will make case-by-case determinations of the requirement only for students who present special circumstances that make it impossible for them to meet these guidelines. Each semester, WI sections are indicated in Schedule of Classes, and a list is posted on the Writing Across the Curriculum Program Website.

On a student's transcript, completed WI courses are indicated by a statement directly below the course. For further information, contact the Coordinator for Writing Across the Curriculum or see the WAC Program website.

*Students who have not been in attendance for two or more semesters must follow the Bulletin in effect at the time of readmission. Students who change their major must adhere to the major requirements identified in the bulletin in effect at the time of declaration of the new major.

**Transfer students with prior A.A., A.S. or Bachelor's degree are exempt from the lower division WI requirement.

Pathways

The York College Pathways Requirements state: III. College Option 

Students must complete A or B or C below, as applicable, in consultation with an academic advisor:  

  1. 12 Credits (for native students, those entering York with fewer than 30 credits and students transferring from a 4-year institution) Foreign language course 1 of 2* (3)  Foreign language course 2 of 2* (3)  HE 111 Personal Health Issues (3)  Writing Intensive (WI) course at the 200-level or higher (3) OR  WRIT 301 Research and Writing for the Major (3) OR  WRIT 302 Research and Writing for the Sciences, Math, and Technology (3) OR  WRIT 303 Research and Writing for Professional Programs (3) OR  WRIT 304 Research and Writing for English Majors** (3) 
  2. 9 Credits (for students who enter York with more than 30 credits from a 2-year program, but without an Associate's degree) Foreign language course 1 of 2* (3)  Foreign language course 2 of 2* (3)  Writing Intensive (WI) course at the 200-level or higher (3) OR  WRIT 301 Research and Writing for the Major (3) OR  WRIT 302 Research and Writing for the Sciences, Math, and Technology (3) OR  WRIT 303 Research and Writing for Professional Programs (3) OR  WRIT 304 Research and Writing for English Majors** (3) 
  3. 6 Credits (for student who enter York with an Associate's degree - AA, AS or AAS) Writing Intensive (WI) course 1 of 2 at the 200-level or higher (3)   Writing Intensive (WI) course 2 of 2 at the 200-level or higher (3) OR  WRIT 301 Research and Writing for the Major (3) OR  WRIT 302 Research and Writing for the Sciences, Math, and Technology (3) OR  WRIT 303 Research and Writing for Professional Programs (3) OR  WRIT 304 Research and Writing for English Majors** (3) 

Notes:  *Placement in foreign language courses is determined in consultation with the World Languages, Literatures, and Humanities department.  ** Registration in WRIT 304 is limited to English majors."  If you have questions about the York College Writing Intensive requirements, you should speak to an advisor in the department in which your major is housed.