Each student must complete the university's writing program requirements as follows:
- The Tier I writing requirement that consists of either a. or b. below.
- one of the following 4-credit Tier I writing courses during the first year: Writing, Rhetoric and American Cultures 101 or 195H; or
- the developmental writing courses: Writing, Rhetoric and American Cultures 0102 and 1004 and one 4-credit Tier I writing course during the first year.
- Based on the English placement mechanism, a student may be required to complete the developmental writing courses prior to enrolling in a Tier I writing course. The developmental writing courses are administered by the Department of Writing, Rhetoric and American Cultures. For additional information, refer to the statement on Academic Placement Tests.
- First-year students who have taken the College Board Advanced Placement Examination in English should consult the statement on Academic Placement Tests. Transfer students should consult the statement on Transfer Student Admission.
- For students who are enrolled in James Madison College, the completion of James Madison College 111 satisfies the university Tier I writing requirement.
For students who are enrolled in Lyman Briggs College, the completion of Lyman Briggs 133 satisfies the university Tier I writing requirement.
For students who are enrolled in the Residential College in the Arts and Humanities, the completion of Residential College in the Arts and Humanities 111 satisfies the university Tier I writing requirement.
- The Tier II writing requirement for the student's academic major and degree program. This requirement involves writing in the student's discipline and is met by completing either:
- one or more 300–400 level Tier II writing courses as specified for the student's academic major and degree program, or
- a cluster of 300–400 level courses that involve writing experiences and that are approved as the Tier II writing requirement for the student's academic major and degree program.