Five Steps to Graduation

To assure mathematics/quantitative reasoning and writing requirements are met as outlined in EM 21-023 per the California State University, each student will have their skills levels assessed. Questions regarding assessment of skill level should be directed to Academic Advising Programs or Graduation Advising.

Step 1. Understand your Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning and Written Communication Placement

Placement in courses that satisfy CSU General Education (GE) Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning and Written Communication requirements will be based on three categories described below. See Admissions (Undergraduate) for more information on the assessment of academic preparation and placement.

• Fulfilled: Student has fulfilled the GE Written Communication (A2) or Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning (B4) requirement.
  • Student has met the CSU GE Breadth Subarea A2 and/or B4 requirement via Advanced Placement (AP) examination, International Baccalaureate (IB) examination, or transferable course.
• Ready: Student is ready for GE Written Communication (A2) or Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning (B4) courses.
  • Student has met multiple measures-informed standards and is ready to enroll in A2 and/or B4.
• Ready with Support: Student is ready for GE Written Communication (A2) or Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning (B4) courses with support.
  • Based on multiple measures, student needs additional academic support for enrollment in A2 and/or B4.

Eligibility for exemptions can be identified in the Guide to Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning and Writing Requirements, located at the bottom of the page or through consultation with Academic Advising Programs.

Step 2. Enroll in a GE Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning (B4)

First year in college students are required to enroll in a General Education Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning (B4) course within their first academic year. 

• If you place as GE B4 “Ready with Support” you will be required to enroll in a designated GE Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning (B4) course paired with a preparatory support mathematics course within your first year. See chart below for pairings. Satisfactory completion of the preparatory mathematics course will certify you as GE Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning Ready.

Course List

Course	Title	Units
GE Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning (B4)
These are non-baccalaureate courses and are therefore not figured into your GPA or units completed. They do, however, count for financial aid credit.
MATH 5L	Foundational Mathematics B	1
MATH 7L	Foundational Mathematics B	1
MATH 10L	Foundational Mathematics B	1
MATH 16L	Foundational Mathematics B	1

• Students must earn a C- or higher to meet the Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning (B4) graduation requirement.

If you believe your GE Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning (B4) placement level does not accurately reflect your mathematic abilities, you have the opportunity to assess with ALEKS PPL. ALEKS PPL is a three-step process that provides an additional way to advise your readiness for GE B4 courses without support.  Further, ALEKS PPL is used to determine readiness for calculus for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) major programs. Review the Mathematics & Statistics Department website for more placement, GE B4 requirements, and assessment information. 

Step 3. Enroll in a GE Written Communication (A2) course

First-time freshmen are required to enroll in a GE Written Communication (A2) course within their first academic year. Check the Guide to Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning and Writing Requirements located at the bottom of the page. For eligibility of exemptions, consult Academic Advising Programs.

Important Information

Ready with Support students are also required to enroll in ENGL 131, a one-unit support course, where you will receive supplemental help with your writing skills. It is graded credit/no credit and may be repeated as needed.

Step 4. Complete four Writing (W) courses

Writing Across the Curriculum (EM 17-009) is a graduation requirement and may be demonstrated through satisfactory completion of four Writing (W) courses listed below.

1. A GE Written Communication course (see Step 1).
2. A lower- or upper-division Writing (W) course.
3. An upper-division Writing (W) course in or specified by the department of the major.
4. The upper-division Writing (W) course serves as the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GW) course in your major (see Step 5).

Step 5. Take and pass the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GW) course in your major

All students must demonstrate competency in writing skills as a requirement for graduation. Things to consider include:

• To graduate, you must take and pass the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GW) course in your major with a grade of C- or higher. Therefore, it is important to talk with your advisor every semester and plan your schedule carefully.
• You will not be allowed to enroll in the GW course in your major until you have met the GE Written Communication (A2) requirement. Faculty teaching GW courses will not allow you to sit in, audit, or enroll later in the semester.
• Some departments change their GW course from time to time, and your GW requirement is determined by the semester in which you take the course, not by catalog rights. If you are not sure what the GW course in your major is or when it is offered, see your major advisor immediately.

The Guide to Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning and Writing Requirements

Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning and Writing Requirements

Requirement	GE Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning (B4) course with a grade of C- or higher.	GE Written Communication (A2) with a grade of C- or higher.	Lower- or upper-division Writing (W) course.	Major-designated upper-division Writing (W) course.	GWAR: GWAR course in the major with a grade of C- or higher.
Who	All undergraduates unless exempt (see below).	All undergraduates unless exempt (see below).	All undergraduates unless exempt (see below).	All undergraduates.	All upper-division undergraduates (must have completed GE Written Communication (A2) with a grade of C or higher).
What	GE Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning (B4) course.	GE Written Communication (A2) course.	Lower- or upper-division Writing (W) course.	Major designated upper-division Writing (W) course.	Upper-division course: practical applications of writing in major.
When	Enroll in a GE Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning (B4) course within first academic year.	Enroll in a GE Written Communication (A2) course within first academic year.	Enroll in a lower- or upper-division Writing (W) course sophomore or junior year.	Enroll in the major-designated upper-division Writing (W) course junior or senior year.	In most majors, junior or senior year after passing GE Written Communication (A2) with a grade of C- or higher.
Where	Any college or university; an equivalent transfer course will meet this requirement.	Any college or university; an equivalent transfer course will meet this requirement.	Chico State	Chico State	Chico State
Why	Minimum verification of math literacy.	Preparation for academic writing.	Development of academic writing.	Preparation for academic writing in the major.	Verification of writing proficiency appropriate for major.
Compliance	No graduation without passing grade (C- or higher) in GE Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning (B4) course.	No admittance to upper-division writing requirement (GWAR course) and no graduation if no passing grade (C- or higher) in GE Written Communication (A2).	Must pass to certify completion of University Writing Requirement.	Must pass to certify completion of University Writing Requirement.	Must pass GWAR course in each major with C- or higher to graduate. The satisfactory grade certifies writing proficiency and satisfies the graduation writing assessment requirement (GWAR).
Exemptions	-Transfer of college GE math course (C- or higher) -CLEP Calculus: 50 -CLEP College Algebra: 50 -CLEP College Algebra/Trigonometry: 50 -CLEP Trigonometry: 50 -International Baccalaureate (IB) Mathematics HL: 4 -AP Math (any exam): 3	-Transfer of college written communication course (C- or higher) -AP Comp. & Lit. or Lang.: 3 or higher	-Transfer students	-None	-None