The WR  Sequence

Please review the Student Learning Outcomes for the WR Sequence (WR 40, WR 45, WR 50, and WR 60).

Students who have fulfilled the University-wide Entry Level Writing Requirement begin the WR sequence with WR 50 and then move on to WR 60.

Students who have not yet fulfilled the Entry Level Writing Requirement by other means must begin the sequence with WR 40 or WR 45 depending on where they are placed.

Students who have not yet fulfilled the UC Entry Level Writing Requirement may also be required to take Academic English/ESL courses before they can enroll in any WR courses. Students who must take Academic English/ESL courses will receive a letter during the summer regarding testing and course placement.

WR Variations

WR 45, Intensive Writing, combines WR 40 and WR 50 into a single six-unit course that offers developing writers more time and support to fulfill the Entry Level Writing Requirement and the WR50 requirement in one course. Only selected students may elect this option; eligible students will receive a letter of notification from the Program.

WR 30 (Poetry) and WR 31 (Fiction) are English Department courses that offer a balanced mix of creative and critical writing, with readings in the literature of the genre. Any student interested in creative writing may take WR 30 or WR 31 as an elective introduction to the craft and a foundation for the creative writing track in English. Students who pass WR 45 or WR 50 with a grade of “B” or better may choose to take one of these courses in lieu of WR 60.

Petitioning a Lower Division Writing Course

If you have taken an English composition writing course at another college  and wish to petition a lower division writing course at UCI, you will need to fill out the petition by clicking here: https://uci.questionpro.com/collegecreditsurvey. 

Your petition will be reviewed by Writing Placement (not the Composition Program). Writing Placement will contact you via email with the decision. A copy of the decision will also be sent to your counseling office.


If you have any questions about this, please reach out to Writing Placement at writingplacement@uci.edu.