Writing Waiver Process

We strongly believe that the vast majority of students can benefit from focused refinement of their writing competence. Our undergraduate academic writing requirement of one 3000-level (typically junior level) and one 4000-level (typically senior/advanced level) academic writing course (plus the “W” writing intensive course for Seattle students) reflects this priority. Most students take the required courses and find them useful in their skill development, as well as in helping to satisfy degree requirements. However, if you believe you already have exceptional academic writing competence, you may request a waiver for either the 3000-level course (WRT-3050 Writing in Academic Contexts or WRT-3930 Argument & Persuasion) and/or the 4000-level course requirement (WRT 4060 Inquiry & Research, WRT-4450 Writing for Social Change, or WRT-4210 Professional Writing). Note that the “W” (writing intensive) class degree requirement for Seattle students cannot be waived.

Students requesting a waiver can choose to waive only the 3000-level requirement or the 4000-level requirement (or both). Waiving a requirement requires that a student demonstrate the competencies expected for academic writing at that level. Requesting a waiver involves the following steps: 

Review the competencies for a 3000-level and a 4000-level waiver (listed below) to determine which you want to request. Note that the requirements are different for the two types of submission. A 4000-level waiver requires integration of multiple peer-reviewed sources and an APA or MLA-style paper format and citations. A 3000-level waiver does not require use of more than one external source.

Submit a paper that reflects your academic writing skills. 

For a 4000-level waiver, please select a sample paper you already have that demonstrates accomplishment of the competencies listed below for a 4000-level course. Note that this submission must be at least an 8-10 page research paper. 

For a 3000-level waiver, please select a sample paper you already have that demonstrates accomplishment of the competencies listed below for a 3000-level course. If you don’t have a suitable sample paper to submit, please request a prompt from Andrea Richards (arichards@antioch.edu) and you will be emailed guidelines for creating a writing sample. Again, your writing sample should demonstrate that you have acquired the competencies indicated in the 3000-level criteria list below.

Email your paper to Andrea Richards (and please cc your faculty advisor) as a word or pdf attachment. In your email, please indicate which course level you want to waive. 

A panel of three faculty with writing expertise will review your request, and the panel will get back to you within 2 weeks to let you know whether your request has been approved. If so, your official academic record with the Registrar will be updated to reflect this. Note that you will not be granted the three credits for any waived course, but those credits will be freed up for other courses and learning activities in your program.

If your waiver request is not approved, you will still need to take the required course(s). There are no appeals for this waiver decision; the decision of the faculty committee is final.