Math and English Placement Policies

Placement Policies

Western Colorado University English and math placement policies conform to the Statewide Remedial Education Policy of the Colorado Commission on Higher Education (CCHE).

English Placement

Western Colorado University’s English Program is committed to providing students with opportunities and resources to build their academic skills during their first year and beyond. For some students, this includes additional support in First-Year/gateway English courses (ENG 102 and ENG 103).

Incoming Western students are placed using a combination of cumulative high school or transfer GPA and ACT/SAT or other applicable test scores. Placement will be determined on the highest indicator whether that is GPA or a test score.

The English Supplemental Academic Instruction (SAI) course is ENG 100 Supplemental Academic Writing. This course serves as a 1-credit support lab for ENG 102, the first First-Year Writing course. ENG 100 is taken concurrently (at the same time) as ENG 102.

Course Description:

ENG 100. Supplemental Academic Writing. (1 Credit)

Provides co-requisite, supplemental instruction for students enrolled in ENG 102. Students will practice employing rhetorical knowledge; using writing processes; developing critical reading and writing strategies; and using effective written communication to demonstrate comprehension of content knowledge.

Students who qualify for ENG 100 can opt out and enroll directly in ENG 102 without the extra support.

Students who do not qualify for ENG 100 based on the parameters above are welcome to add ENG 100 to their schedule when they also take ENG 102 if they think it would be helpful to them.

It is recommended that students who meet the following criteria enroll directly into a First-Year Writing course (ENG 102 or ENG 103), depending on their previously earned credit:

1. Students who have earned a bachelor’s degree (post-BA students).
2. Students who have earned an A.A. or A.S. degree at a Colorado community college within the past 10 years.
3. Students who have transferred a college-level writing course from another post-secondary institution.
4. Students who have an AP English Language and Composition or AP English Literature and Composition score of three (3) or higher.

English Placement Process

Before you get to Western:

You are responsible for sending any ACT, SAT, IB, or AP English-related scores as well as your final high school and/or college transfer transcripts to admissions@western.edu.

When you arrive at Western:

During new student orientation, you can explore your English placement options by:

1. Contacting Registration and Advising Services

2. Discussing your options with your academic advisor

Math Placement

The Mathematics Program at Western uses a combination of standardized test scores and high school transcripts to assess incoming students.

Students must demonstrate entry-level mathematical abilities before registering for college-level mathematics courses as follows:

*It is recommended that all students meet with an advisor in their discipline to identify the best math pathway for their individual program of study in an effort to complete their math requirements within their first 30 credit hours. 

Mathematics Placement Processes 

Before you get to Western:

You are responsible for sending any ACT, SAT, IB, or AP math-related scores as well as your final high school and/or college transfer transcripts to admissions@western.edu.

When you arrive at Western:

During new student orientation, you can explore your math placement options by:

1. Contacting Registration and Advising Services
2. Taking the ALEKS math placement exam
3. Discussing your options with your academic advisor

There is an opportunity to switch math classes within the first four days of every semester. Math faculty invite students to discuss their math abilities on the first day of class if a course change is desired.