Request Information
Ready to find out what MSU Denver can do for you? We’ve got you covered.
First Year Writing Placement:
Students may fulfill pre-requisite requirements to enroll in a First Year Writing course (English 1010) in several ways. Students may use the state-set cut scores on the SAT or ACT English sections. Students may also use concurrent enrollment credit completed while attending High School. Students that don’t have these test scores or previous credit may complete a First Year Writing Directed Self Placement survey that uses student input to determine the best option for placement. All students that complete the First Year Writing Directed Self Placement will be eligible for a college-level First Year Writing course.
Completing the First Year Writing Directed Self Placement:
The MSU Denver English Department allows students to complete the First Year Writing Directed Self Placement for enrollment in a First Year Writing course. The Directed Self Placement tool helps students find the right First Year Writing course based on individual student experience and input.
Please CLICK HERE to complete the Directed Self Placement.
This chart provides an overview of pre-requisites for placement in a First Year Writing course:
| Pre-Requisite Score | Student May Enroll in |
| SAT Evidence-Based R/W (Reading and Writing) score of 470 or higher | English 1010 (if score is lower than 18, or no score, complete Directed Self Placement) |
| ACT English Score of 18 or higher | English 1010 (if score is lower than 470, or no score, complete Directed Self Placement) |
| First Year Writing Directed Self Placement score of 95 | English 1010 |
| First Year Writing Directed Self Placement score of 85 | English 1010+1001 (must enroll in both during the same semester) |
| First Year Writing Directed Self Placement score of 75 | English 1008 and English 1009 (Completed in two consecutive semesters) |
ACT and SAT scores are valid for five years. Students with expired ACT or SAT scores or no ACT or SAT scores should complete the First Year Writing Directed Self Placement.
How to see test scores you have on record at MSU Denver:
Students may review the test scores they have on record by logging in to the “Student Profile (Self Service Banner)” from the Student Hub (MSU Denver user name and password required). Once logged in to the Student Profile see the link for “prior education and testing” on the left navigation bar.
Transfer students or students with previous College level English credit:
Students must transfer completed courses equivalent to ENG 1010 (or prerequisite ENG courses) from other institutions to MSU Denver. This includes completed classes from other colleges, Concurrent Enrollment credit completed while in High School, CLEP credit, AP credit, etc. Consult with Transfer Services for details on this process. Consult with an Academic Advisor for placement options based on transfer credit.
Questions regarding FYW placement? Please reach out to the English department at [email protected]. Please use your MSU Denver email and include your student ID number (900 number).