1. I have not yet completed first-year English for my general education requirements. How do I know which course to begin with?

All transfer students who have not received credit for English 110 or 120 (or the equivalent) should take the NDSU English Placement Survey. This will help you choose the first course you should take in the program. This is a survey, not an exam, and will only take 10-20 minutes of your time. After you take the survey, you will receive an email indicating your course options. Please speak with your advisor after completing the survey to make sure you are enrolled in the right course.

If you have already received credit for English 110 (or the equivalent), you may enroll immediately in English 120/122.

2. I completed a 36-credit (or higher) general education core from another regionally-accredited institution. Do I still need to take a 300-level writing class?

Yes. In most majors, a 300-level writing class is a requirement for graduation. But in addition, it is an upper-level general education requirement and is not covered by the articulation agreement through which your lower-level general education courses were accepted in transfer.

In the event you have already earned a previous baccalaureate degree, you will still need to take a 300-level writing class if it is a requirement for your program of study and you have not already earned credit from NDSU or elsewhere for the required course (or its equivalent).

3. I transferred in a 300-level writing class that received general education credit, but it is not the right one for my major. Is there anything I can do?

Maybe. This is a question for your advisor and your department. Your department may assist you through their process for substituting a course. Not all departments have such a process.

4. At my previous university, I was placed directly into a course like ENGL 120/122. I completed that course with a grade of a C or better, but NDSU policy does not allow me to receive credit for ENGL 110/112, so I am 3 credits short for my general education writing. What are my options?

You can receive credit for English 110/112 by completing an upper-division (300-level) writing course approved for General Education, as long as you receive a grade of C or better. If you do not receive a minimum grade of C in your upper-division writing course, you will not receive automatic credit for ENGL 110/112. Your options in this case would include the following:

• Enroll in and satisfactorily complete ENGL 110/112.

• Retake your upper-division writing course, or take a different upper-division writing course, and earn a grade of C or better. 

Note: Some programs require a grade of C or better in order to satisfy graduation requirements.

5. I'm transferring in as a sophomore and have completed ENGL 110/112 and 120/122 (or the equivalent at another school). Why can't I register for my English 300-level writing class now?

The 300-level writing classes require junior standing (at least 60 cumulative credits). This requirement ensures that you will be prepared to undertake writing and research in your major.

6. I am a transfer student who received English110/112 credit for a course I took elsewhere. Do I have to take English120/122?

Yes. You will need to take English120/122 as a prerequisite for your 300-level upper-division writing course. There is one other option for students who transfer as juniors or seniors: you could appeal to take two 300-level writing courses instead of 120/122 and a 300-level writing course.

Do you have more questions? Here are the people to contact:

For questions about first-year writing, contact Dr. Lisa Arnold.

For questions about upper-division writing, contact Ben Melby.