The University of California has established two requirements that all undergraduate students must satisfy in order to graduate: Entry-Level Writing or English as a Second Language (ESL), and American History and Institutions. It is each student’s responsibility to see that these requirements are fulfilled.
Because proficiency in English composition is so important to successful performance in many courses, Entry-Level Writing is the only requirement for graduation that students must satisfy before entering UCLA or during their first year in residence. They may meet this requirement by one of the following methods:
If students do not meet the requirement in one of the ways described above, Academic Senate regulations require them to enroll in a course determined by performance on the Analytical Writing Placement Examination as early as possible during their first year in residence. Each course must be taken for a letter grade and passed with a grade of C or better. Students receiving a final grade of C− or worse must repeat the course during their next term in residence.
The Entry-Level Writing requirement must be satisfied before enrolling in any course that satisfies the Writing I requirement (English Composition 3, 3D, 3DX, 3E). For more information, see Entry-Level Writing.
First-year undergraduate students whose first language is not English and who have not otherwise satisfied the Entry-Level Writing requirement must take the Analytical Writing Placement Examination (AWPE) either by the time they enter UCLA or during their first term. Results of the AWPE are reviewed to determine whether the student must take designated English composition courses in order to satisfy the Entry-Level Writing requirement. Neither the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) nor any other English proficiency test is accepted in lieu of the AWPE. Students may take the AWPE once only; unauthorized retakes result in an invalid score. Students must begin taking courses during their first term in residence at UCLA, and must complete each course in sequence with a grade of C or better. All units are applied toward graduation, but cannot be applied toward general education requirements.
Transfer students whose native language is not English and who have completed the Writing I and Writing II equivalent courses at their transfer institution may still be held for the UCLA English as a Second Language (ESL) requirement at the discretion of UCLA Undergraduate Admission. This includes, but is not limited to, all students who received a grade below B in either Writing I or Writing II equivalent courses at their community college. Transfer students held for the ESL requirement must take the English as a Second Language Placement Examination (ESLPE) either before or during their first term at UCLA to determine whether they must complete one or more English composition courses. Neither the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) nor any other English proficiency test is accepted in lieu of the ESLPE. Students may take the ESLPE once only; unauthorized retakes result in an invalid score. Students must begin taking courses during their first term in residence at UCLA, and must complete each course in sequence with a grade of C or better. All units are applied toward graduation, but cannot be applied toward general education requirements.
The American History and Institutions requirement is based on the principle that a U.S. citizen attending an American university should understand the history and public institutions of the U.S. under the federal and state constitutions. Candidates for a bachelor’s degree must satisfy the American History and Institutions requirement by one of the following methods:
Candidates for an instructional credential, but not for a degree, must take one of the following courses: History 143A, 143B, Political Science 145B, or 145C.
Students attending UCLA on an F-1 or J-1 visa may petition for exemption from this requirement by showing proof of temporary residence in the U.S.