The First-Year Writing Program (FWP) teaches English 1010, a 4-hour course, as a rigorous introduction to academic writing and discourse. This course meets the Tier 1 Writing Skills proficiency requirement for the core curriculum.
We offer multiple sections each semester, usually between 40 and 50, with 15 students each. While sections may center on different themes, every section teaches students the fundamentals of analysis, argument, research, and reasoning to help them succeed during their university educations.
The core objectives of the First-Year writing course are to improve the student’s ability to write complex, coherent, and clear arguments that reflect a strong knowledge of the essay’s subject matter. These objectives are met through a series of scaffolded writing assignments, including a culminating research project, that include opportunities for editing and revision throughout the term.
The First-Year Writing Program is administered by the Department of English. To contact the Director of First-Year Writing about staffing for freshman writing courses, please email freshmanwriting@tulane.edu.
If you are a Tulane student who believes you have completed this requirement outside of Tulane, please consult with the advising office and refer to the transfer guidelines and submission procedures below.
AP/IB/Cambridge Credit for ENGL 1010
Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), and Cambridge AS- and A-level courses do not transfer. Students must take the appropriate exam and submit scores for credit.
Transfer Credit
Permission for transfer credit from other baccalaureate degree-granting colleges and universities may be recommended on a course-by-course basis. The First-Year Writing Program (FWP) approves transfer courses if they meet the academic standards of ENGL 1010, which include the following criteria:
Dual Enrollment
In general, the FWP does not accept dual enrollment credit for college courses taken by high school students at a high school rather than at a college campus. In exceptional circumstances, the FWP will examine transfer credit applications for dual enrollment courses if they meet the same rigorous academic standards for ENGL 1010 (see above).
Online Courses
The First-Year Writing Program does not provide transfer credit for online courses.
Minimesters
The First-Year Writing Program does not provide transfer credit for courses taken over a minimester. The course must last a minimum of five weeks at the host institution.
To apply for ENGL 1010 credit, follow this procedure:
Email materials to the Director of First-Year Writing at freshmanwriting@tulane.edu.
Budget time appropriately. Reviews can take a month or more.
The writing program will review complete applications that contain the following digital PDFs: