To satisfy Lehigh’s First-Year Writing requirement, students must:
complete the appropriate Lehigh First-Year Writing courses (described below); or
submit the appropriate test scores (on English AP or IB tests); or
transfer in Lehigh-approved courses from other colleges or universities.
First-Year Writing requirements vary by college, as described below. Eckardt Scholars and IDEAS students, please see separate entries for your unique First-Year Writing requirements.
First-Year Writing for U.S. Students
College of Arts & Sciences
All CAS students are required to take at least one First-Year Writing course at Lehigh, and most CAS students are required to take two. The First-Year Writing sequence that is appropriate for you will vary depending on placement (scoring on English AP or IB tests) and transfer credits. Here are the possibilities for CAS students:
For students who score a 5 on either of the AP English exams and earn credit for both Writing 001 (3 credits) and Writing 002 (3 credits): These students are required to take Writing 011 (WRT 011), Advanced Writing: The Rhetorical Self (see course description below). This course is reserved for CAS students who have placed out of the traditional WRT 001/WRT 002 sequence and may be taken in either the Fall or Spring semester.
For students who have earned credit for WRT 001 (3 credits) either through placement testing or transfer credits: These students must take WRT 002. In this case, WRT 002 may be taken in either the Fall or the Spring semester.
For students who have not earned credit for WRT 001 (3 credits) based on placement test scores or transfer credits: These students must take the ordered sequence of WRT 001 (Fall) and WRT 002 (Spring) to fulfill the two-course requirement.
P.C. Rossin College of Engineering & Applied Science and College of Health
All RCEAS and COH students must get credit for two courses in First-Year Writing. The sequence that is appropriate for you will vary depending on placement (scoring on English AP or IB tests) and transfer credits. Here are the possibilities for RCEAS and COH students:
For students who have earned credit for both WRT 001 (3 credits) and WRT 002 (3 credits): These students have completed the First-Year Writing requirement.
For students who have earned credit for WRT 001 (3 credits): These students should take WRT 002 to fulfill the second course requirement. In this case, WRT 002 may be taken in either the Fall or the Spring semester.
For students who have not earned credit for WRT 001 (3 credits) based on placement test scores or transfer credits: These students should take the ordered sequence of WRT 001 (Fall) and WRT 002 (Spring) to fulfill the two-course writing requirement.
College of Business, Computer Science and Business and Integrated Business and Engineering
All COB, CSB, and IBE students must get credit for WRT 001 to fulfill the First-Year Writing Requirement. The path that is appropriate for you will vary depending on placement (scoring on English AP or IB tests) and transfer credits. Here are the possibilities for COB, CSB, and IBE students:
For students who have earned credit for WRT 001 (3 credits): These students have completed the First-Year Writing requirement.
For students who have not earned credit for WRT 001 (3 credits) based on placement test scores or transfer credits: These students must take WRT 001 to fulfill the First-Year Writing requirement. In this case, WRT 001 may be taken in either the Fall or the Spring semester.
IDEAS: Integrated Degree in Engineering, Arts and Sciences
All IDEAS students must get credit for WRT 001 to fulfill the First-Year Writing Requirement. The First-Year Writing sequence that is appropriate for you will vary depending on placement (scoring on English AP or IB tests) and transfer credits. Here are the possibilities for IDEAS students:
For students who have earned credit for WRT 001 (3 credits): These students have completed the First-Year Writing requirement.
For students who have not earned credit for WRT 001 (3 credits) based on placement test scores or transfer credits: These students must take WRT 001 (Fall) to fulfill the First-Year Writing requirement.
Eckardt Scholars
Eckardt Scholars are not required to take any First-Year Writing classes at Lehigh.
First-Year Writing for International Students
New international students, particularly those who speak other languages, and some multilingual domestic students will take an English placement test at International Orientation in August. Based on those placement test results as well as other English language documentation, the International Center for Academic and Professional English (ICAPE) will work with students to place them on one of three tracks:
to take WRT 001 and WRT 002 only; or
to take WRT 001 and 002 with special recitation for international English speakers; or
to take WRT 003: Composition and Literature I for Multilingual Writers and WRT 005: Composition and Literature II for Multilingual Writers (see descriptions below)
Note: Keep in mind that if you have been awarded credit for WRT 001, you should not take WRT 003. You will not be awarded double credit if you take WRT 003.
First-Year Writing Course Descriptions
WRT 001: Academic and Analytical Writing (3 Credits)
Introduction to academic writing, specifically analytical writing and essays that support claims in respectful conversation with other writers and thinkers. The course is centered on writing as a social process and provides focused instruction and ample practice in synthesis and analysis; collaboration and peer feedback; revision; and the conventions of college writing. Students must receive a grade of C- or higher to advance to WRT 002.
WRT 002: Research and Argument (3 Credits)
Continuation of WRT 001. Designed to refine the skills of argument and research. Students will make persuasive, thoughtful, and well-supported arguments in a variety of forms, including multi-modal genres. The course provides a number of occasions to think, research, and write about pressing issues of public concern. Must have a grade of C- or higher in WRT 001.
WRT 011: Advanced Writing: The Rhetorical Self (3 Credits)
Rigorous engagement with rhetorical, stylistic, and design concepts vital to the creation of effective texts in traditional and multimodal formats. Student-driven projects allow for the development of voice and creativity in the presentation of self in academic, public, and personal contexts. The course culminates with a public-facing e-portfolio that showcases communication strengths and that can grow with students over the course of their education. Only CAS students who have earned credit for WRT 001 & WRT 002 via English AP tests are eligible to enroll in WRT 011.
WRT 003: Composition and Literature I for International Writers (3 Credits)
Students improve both their advanced academic written English and academic writing style through a process of reading fiction and non-fiction and by writing well-organized, coherent essays for academics. Author citation, style, and written fluency and accuracy are addressed within students’ writing. Enrollment is limited to nonnative speakers; prior academic writing history, English placement testing, and/or ESL director’s recommendation determines placement. WRT 003 is the equivalent of WRT 001, and it fulfills the same first-year composition requirement.
WRT 005: Composition and Literature II for International Writers (3 Credits)
Continuation of WRT 003. Students practice more advanced methods and modes of writing for academics, including writing and reading for their specific field of study. Students continue to work on advanced written fluency and accuracy of idiomatic language and expression and are taught advanced methods of author citation and source integration. WRT 005 is the equivalent of WRT 002, and it fulfills the same first-year composition requirement.
ENGL 016: Critical Reading and Composition Recitation for WRT 001 (1 Credit)
For multilingual speakers of English taking Writing 001. This recitation class will give students a space to ask questions about English grammar, American rhetorical conventions, academic genres, and the writing process in a small class setting.
ENGL 017: Research and Argument Recitation for WRT 002 (1 Credit)
For multilingual speakers of English taking Writing 002. This recitation class will give students a space to ask questions about English grammar, American rhetorical conventions, academic genres, and the writing process in a small class setting.