Graduate Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR)

Graduate Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR)

All CSU students are required to demonstrate competence in writing for all advanced degrees and credentials. Graduate students are considered to have met SJSU’s GWAR requirement (S19-3) if they 

1) pass a program GWAR certified course; or 

2) receive approval from the College of Graduate Studies of an acceptable professional publication written in English for which the candidate was a primary author; or 

3) complete a master’s or doctoral degree with a substantive writing requirement at an accredited university in which English is the primary language. 

If a student has completed either items #2 or #3, they should work with their graduate advisor to petition the College of Graduate Studies for certification of GWAR completion. The GWAR must be completed before advancement to candidacy.